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She reads and re-reads, then sighs. “I don’t really understand any of this.”
“Neither do I, which is why I have a financial planner and lawyers setting it up and advising me. The simple explanation is that Happy Haven won’t exist to turn a profit for me or anyone else. Rent will go into keeping the place maintained and supporting some programs to help low income tenants. The amount of rent will be based on income, which is why I wanted those forms updated.”
When I flip to one of the final pages, she looks over the anticipated rent revenue and shakes her head. “That’s…amazing, but it won’t be enough to keep this place running.”
“I know, the rest of the funding will come from the trust. My father has accounts that have funded his campaign donations and lobbying money for years. I’ve diverted those to support the trust and Happy Haven instead. It’s more than enough and a far better way to spend the money.”
She leans heavily against her desk, considering everything I’ve told her. “I’m sorry I jumped to the wrong conclusion.”
Relief pours over me. “It’s okay. I understand how it looked. I was going to talk to you about all of this.”
When I take her hand, she wraps her arms around me in a hug. “I’m sorry for accusing you of lying to me. What you’re doing for Happy Haven is wonderful and selfless. But Pop’s house…I don’t think I can accept it. It’s too much. It’s not right.”
I brush her hair back from her face when she lets me go. “I have a lot of money. That’s not a positive or a negative, just a fact. It’s not going to change. I don’t care about money. I care about you. I love you.”
Her eyes shine with unshed tears. “I love you too.” Stepping back, she picks up her bag. “There’s nothing scheduled for the rest of the day. I’m going to take the afternoon off.”
This isn’t how this was supposed to go. She’s still upset. “You’re leaving?”
“I just need a few hours to sort out my thoughts.”
Everything in me wants to stop her but I can’t. She needs time to work out whatever is going through her head. “We’re supposed to leave for Vegas tonight.”
“I know. I’m not canceling. I promise.”
“Okay.” What else can I say?
On her way to the door, she pauses and looks back at me. “You aren’t responsible for your father’s actions. You don’t have to make amends for them. You aren’t like him.”
If she only knew the power of those words, how they nearly knock me off my feet as she leaves. I lock the door behind her and sit at my desk to open the package waiting for me.
The velvet box stares back at me from inside. One more day. If she’d remained unaware about her grandfather’s house for one more day, it wouldn’t have seemed so ostentatious of a gift. If she accepts my proposal, it won’t matter. It won’t be my money or my house.
It’ll be ours.
CHAPTER
TWENTY-TWO
MAREN
I’m not sure why I’m on the verge of tears as I hop into my car and drive with no destination in mind. Just away. To think. The sky opens up when I get to the edge of town, and I park in the corner of a convenience store’s parking lot while a storm rages around me.
He bought a house like he was shopping for milk. To give away like he was donating change to a worthy cause. It’s not like I haven’t known from the second he arrived that he’s rich, but this jerks things into perspective for me. How different our lives are.
This wasn’t supposed to happen. I wasn’t supposed to fall in love with him. All those relationships before were nothing compared to how I feel for Cooper. I’ve always known none of them loved me but now I know I didn’t love any of them. Not really. Not like this. Maybe you can’t really love when you know it’s temporary, that they’ll leave eventually.
That doesn’t add up though. Cooper could easily walk away. That’s what’s so terrifying. He can buy a house like it’s nothing. He has freedom that few ever know and I’m happy for him, but it also makes the end of what we have together feel inevitable. What can I offer him that he can’t do for himself?
I don’t want to lose him. The thought twists my stomach into knots. I want to pretend everything is fine, that what we have is permanent, but deep down, a part of me can’t believe that.
Nearly two hours pass while I sit in my car, letting the rain pull a curtain between me and the world, until it fades to a drizzle. My heart battles against my brain for the right thing to do.
My phone rattles with a text from Cooper.
Cooper:
Are you okay?
