Page 47 of Finding My Forever

“Yeah, that’s what I said earlier.”

I shook my head. “I thought you were saying that but, ya know, including your parents.”

“Nope. They invested most of the money I made when I started acting so I would have what I needed for college.”

“Most kids live in dorms in college.”

He shrugged. “They invested well. I’m planning on being here long term so why not buy the perfect property now and let the value increase.”

This guy was from another world. I was stressed over saving enough money from the flower shop to buy the cute comforter I saw for my dorm. Meanwhile, he’s got investments and property value on his mind.

“I know it’s not normal. I don’t usually talk about it. Elijah is the only one that knows I own it. Kids from school assume it’s my parents’ and I let them. It’s not like I’m a billionaire. My parents were just smart and now I get the rewards.”

He paused but I didn’t know what to say. It was too much. If this guy hadn’t turned the necklace I would have been running for the door. It shouldn’t affect me, but it did. His life was so different from mine. I couldn’t imagine how we could ever make one together.

“Say something. Anything?”

I opened my mouth but what could I say?

“I know it’s a lot. I’m sure it’s a bit intimidating…” I nodded so he continued. “I’m not one to talk about money or flaunt anything, but I wanted to be honest with you.”

I turned away from the window and waited until he was looking at me. “I appreciate you telling me.”

“I’m not sure why, but I feel like I can be honest with you. I don’t want to keep anything from you.”

I should feel relief, maybe even excitement, but I was panicking. I was keeping something huge, life changing, from him.

“You’ve known me for one day.”

He rubbed a hand over his face. “I know. I sound crazy. I feel crazy! That doesn’t change how I feel though. Something about you is so familiar. I felt it the moment we ran into each other. I never would have agreed to meet a stranger like I did with you, but I saw you and knew immediately that I had to know you.”

“I felt that way too, obviously.” I laughed and bit back the words I wanted to say. Everything in me begged to tell him about the necklace, but I couldn’t. Not yet.

There weren’t rules against it, but it didn’t feel right. I wanted things to happen naturally between us. I wanted us to fall for each other and know that it’s right because of the necklace, not falling in love because the necklace told us so.

Also, I didn’t want him to tell me I’m crazy.

But time wasn’t on my side. Things needed to speed up before I flew back home.

“Good because I want to keep getting to know you.” His gaze felt heavy, like he was trying to tell me something. I couldn’t look away.

If I were a braver person I’d lean forward. If I was as confident as I pretended to be, I would get the kiss.

“Hey! We need to get going!”

I jumped back when Elijah came down the hall and leaned against the door frame. “You ready?”

Liam blinked and faced him. “Yeah, let’s go.”

I walked past Elijah and met Sophia at the elevator. We all rode the elevator in a tense silence. There was so much that needed to be said, but we were out of time. For today.

The bellman wished us a good evening and I waved. It was just like a movie.

Elijah swooped Sophia into a hug, lifting her off her feet. “I shall see you tomorrow.”

We all laughed at him, but I could tell Sophia was eating it up.

Liam hugged me briefly before smiling shyly. “I’ll call you.”