Total pages in book: 59
Estimated words: 56180 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 281(@200wpm)___ 225(@250wpm)___ 187(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 56180 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 281(@200wpm)___ 225(@250wpm)___ 187(@300wpm)
“That sounds like a good idea,” Sera says.
“My problems are tiny compared to what you’ve been through. Ignore me.”
“Doesn’t being in a relationship mean we confront our problems together, no matter how big or small? Or are we not—”
I take her hand, squeezing it. “Don’t question that, Sparkplug. If we’re not in a relationship, then I don’t even know what it would mean to be in one.”
When I arrive at the restaurant, I spot Victor leaning against the wall, sucking on a vape pen. I chuckle, shaking my head. “He used to smoke a pack a day. Now look at him, sucking on that child’s toy.”
“Maybe it’s better?”
I wink at my woman. “I think he’s nervous to meet you.”
She brushes down her shirt. “Not as nervous as I am. It’s like meeting your parents.”
“It’s the closest thing there is to meeting my parents, that’s for sure.”
I climb out of the car, meaning to walk around to Sera’s side to help her with the door. But then Victor quickly walks over, opening it before I get the chance.
“Thank you for giving me the chance to be a gentleman for once in my life,” he says, offering her his hand. “Victor Langley.”
“Seraphina Vale… well, Sera. Nobody calls me Seraphina, really.” She giggles nervously. “Nice to meet you.”
“A pleasure,” Victor replies, giving me a look.
“Excuse Victor, Sera. He’s giving me an ‘I told you so’ look because he promised to be on his best behavior. Shall we?”
The three of us walk into the restaurant, quiet this early in the morning. The manager nods to me from behind the counter, and I lead our small group to my usual table in the corner.
“Do you come here often?” Sera asks.
“Victor used to bring me here when I was a teenager,” I say, sitting.
“He’d put up shop right here, at this table, with some old piece of junk from the thrift store, taking it apart, putting it back together, taking it apart again.”
Sera smiles at me. “I would’ve loved to see that.”
Victor chuckles. “Get him an old computer. You won’t be able to keep his hands off it. I was a mess back then, but…” He raises his hands. “Anyway.”
“A mess?” Sera murmurs.
"Booze. Cigarettes. Women. Believe it or not, I used to be quite the ladies man…" He shrugs. "And then I saw this kid in the library, reading the book I'd reserved. It was about hard drives… A specialist, boring, dry book, but he was devouring it like his life depended on it. After we got to talking and I learned his story, I offered what help I could."
"And then you got your act together, and now you're a very rich man," I say.
"'Got my act together,' he says," Victor mutters. "Has he told you?"
Sera shakes her head, curiosity evident in her expression. "Told me what?"
"When he was old enough and earning a decent wage, he paid for my rehab… not once, not twice, but three times. When it finally stuck, we went into business together."
"Then this old dog sold his shares," I say, chuckling.
"I spent so long in a haze. It felt good to be finally free. Sorry, Sera, you didn't ask for a history lesson."
"But I wanted one. You just saved me the awkwardness of figuring out how to ask."
"I wanted to share it with you, because, well…" Victor sighs. "I doubted you because of your connection to TechGuard. When Luke told me what happened, I felt like an old ass."
"That's half right," I say.
Victor laughs ruefully. "But look at him. I mean – you've brought something out in him. You haven't smiled like this since you were a kid, Luke."
Sera's cheeks flush as she looks at me. "Did you tell him to say that?"
"Actually, he's being far more talkative than I expected."
"He's right. Let's get some food in me to shut me up."
"No, please," Sera says. "I want to know how miserable he was before he met me."
"You say that as a joke," Victor replies. "But sometimes, I genuinely feared for his happiness. He had all the trappings of a billionaire's life… but none of the indulgences. He didn't take extravagant trips or pursue relationships. He worked, and that was mostly it."
"The fact is, Sera," I say, nodding in agreement, "before Vegas, work was all I wanted to do. I'd often tell myself, well, if I don't get to live, at least my employees do. And they rely on me. Plus, there's joy in the simple act of work itself."
"But now he's found somebody that brings him more joy. Isn't that right?"
"Yes, Victor, my suddenly very sentimental old friend, it is. Let's get some food in you. Breakfast tacos?"
"That sounds perfect," Sera says.
I gesture for the waiter, and we order breakfast tacos, coffee, and some iced tea.
"So, Sera, do you plan on introducing this starry-eyed young man to your pare… What, why are you looking at me like that?"