"We're the top laboratory in the nation and we have five overseas locations," he told me. "We have enough money to buy this entire store a dozen times over and we won't even feel it."
I stared at him. "Really?"
"Really."
"I guess I really was holding you back," I said bitterly, realizing that the money must have come after I was out of the picture. "I'm glad you're doing so well."
"That's not what I meant. We made a lot of money before, too, but once we opened the institute, it really took off. That would have happened with you, too. We just didn't realize it." He stopped, rubbing his hand over his face. "I'm messing this up."
"You really are," Geo confirmed, coming up behind me and wrapping his arms around me. "I'm going to take her around and I think you guys need to go wait by the counter. You can pay when we're done."
"Get whatever she wants," Aiden told him.
"Oh, I will."
As soon as they were gone, Geo led me over to a hammock swing and settled himself in it, pulling me onto his lap again. He used his foot to set the swing in movement and I sighed, leaning against him with my head on his shoulder.
"They want to make it up to you, Liora. I say you go ahead and get everything your heart desires. And when we leave, we'll take it all with us to our new house."
"Our house?"
"Well, we can't live in a spare room forever, can we?"
"I guess not."
"Dry those eyes and let's go find what you like."
He kissed me gently and we swung for another few minutes before he slid me off his lap and we went to explore the store. I didn't really want a ton of things, but I did check out everything he pointed out and touched the blankets, towels and more.
Finally, as my energy started to wane, we headed for the front desk where the others waited patiently with coffees in hand.
"I thought you might be thirsty," Aiden said, handing me a pretty floral water bottle.
"Thanks." I took a sip and my eyes widened. "Raspberry iced tea!"
He smiled. "I remembered how much you liked it."
"You have to try this," I told Geo excitedly.
He took a sip from my new water bottle and nodded. "Not bad. I prefer coffee."
"We got you one." Finn handed him a coffee. "Why don't you two head to the restaurant two blocks down and we'll join you once we have everything packed in the limo?"
"Sounds good." Geo handed over his phone so they could double check everything and we left the Swan's Nest, on our way to dinner. I hadn't even noticed how late it had gotten while we were in the store, but the sun was sinking low already.
Walking hand in hand with Geo, I felt like life might actually be okay.
Chapter 27
Planting Seeds
Liora
We arrived home after dark. The men had insisted on going for a walk through the park and getting ice cream after a delicious Italian meal. Finn, Aiden, and Mace had joined us not long after Geo and I arrived at the bistro and I had the feeling they were hiding something.
Now, I yawned as we got out of the car. Geo grabbed my hand like he couldn't handle not touching me constantly and we walked into the house together. It smelled odd.
I stopped and sniffed. "There's something different in here."
