Chapter 39
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Carter
We lay in bed, wrapped in each other’s arms after making passionate love on our first night in our new home and in our new bed.
A bed that I would only ever share with her.
Something had been gnawing at me for the past couple of weeks, and I didn’t know how to approach her about it.
But I just decided I needed to get it over with.
“There’s something we need to talk about, Zoey. Something that’s been on my mind for a while.”
She lifted her head from my chest and stared up at me.
“What is it? It sounds serious.”
I took in a deep breath.
“Have you given any thought about your job? I mean. I know you’ve taken a lot of time off since everything that’s happened, and now that we’re settled in here, I was wondering what you’re going to do. I’m not thrilled you have to leave and live somewhere else while you care for your patients.”
“I know.” She pressed her lips against my chest. “I’d been thinking about that also. I love my job, but things are different now. I still want to be a hospice nurse, so I’m going to have to figure things out. Meanwhile, I have enough money to take some more time to figure it out.”
“Money will never be an issue for you again. So, don’t worry about that. I have all the money you need.”
“Thank you, my love. But I would like to earn my own money.”
“I understand that. You are a very independent woman.” I kissed her head.
I silently let out a sigh of relief. She was on the same page as I was, and I couldn’t be happier. While she was figuring out what she wanted to do, I was working out an idea in my head. But I didn’t want to mention it to her until I planned to put things in motion.
Three Weeks Later
“It’s good to see you so happy again, Carter,” Ross spoke as he sat across from me.
“Thanks, man. I am happy, and it feels really good.”
“How’s that deal coming along?”
“It’s done. I got the call this morning. I can’t wait to run it by Zoey.”
“And what if she’s not too keen about it?”
“I think she will be. But if she isn’t, then I’ll sell the building.”
“You’ll take a huge loss. You paid a pretty penny for that.”
“I’m not worried about it. If I take a loss, I take a loss. I’m pretty confident that everything will work out. In fact, I’m going to pick up the keys now and then call Zoey.”
Zoey
I was helping Holly at her new shop when my phone rang.
“Hey, baby,” I answered.
“Hello, gorgeous. What are you doing right now?”
“Helping Holly at the shop. What are you doing?”
“Hoping you’ll meet me somewhere. Is there any way you can escape for a while?”
“Sure. Where do you want to meet?”
“854 Fifth Avenue. Just let me know when you’re on your way.”
“I can meet you there in about fifteen minutes. May I ask why we’re meeting there?”
“You’ll see when you get here. I love you, darling.”
“I love you too. See you soon.”
“I sure hope that was Carter you were talking to.” Holly smirked.
“Of course, it was.” I laughed. “I have to meet him at 854 Fifth Avenue, so I’m going to take off. I can come back after?”
“Nah. That’s okay. I’m doing interviews for the rest of the afternoon. Go meet your man and have some fun.”
When I walked out of Holly’s shop, I saw Bobby standing in front of the car.
“Hello, Zoey. Mr. Grayson sent me to get you.”
“I just got off the phone with him. How did you get here so fast?” I asked as I climbed into the back seat.
“I was just around the corner having lunch.”
Bobby pulled up to the curb of 854 Fifth Avenue, and I saw Carter standing there waiting for me. He walked over and opened the door.
“Hello, babe.” He smiled as he kissed my lips.
“Hi. What are we doing here?” I asked as I stared at the mansion before me.
“Come inside. I want you to see it.” He took my hand.
“Carter, you’re not thinking about moving again, are you? Because—”
He let out a chuckle. “No. We are not moving again. I’ll explain everything once we step inside.”
“Wow. Wow. Wow. This is gorgeous. On second thought, if you really wanted to move...” I grinned at him.
“First of all, this place is way too big, and second of all, Sadie would quit. Anyway, I’ve been working on this since we talked about your job three weeks ago.”
“I don’t understand.”
“I bought this building hoping to turn it into a hospice care home.”
“What?” I turned and looked at him with a shocked expression.
“Listen, sweetheart. I know how much your job means to you, so I want to turn this into a hospice care home, and I want you to run it. In fact, the whole thing is yours.”
I placed my hand over my mouth in disbelief. “Carter, oh my God, I can’t believe you did this.”
“Did I do a bad thing?” He cocked his head.
“No.” I smiled as I reached up and kissed him. “You did a wonderful thing.” Tears began streaming down my face.
“Why are you crying?”
“I’m just so happy.”
He wrapped his arms around me and pulled me into an embrace.
“So, it’s a yes?” he asked.
“Yes. It’s a yes! Thank you so much.”
“Excellent.” He smiled. “Come on. I’ll show you around.
It has fifteen bedrooms and three elevators, so we don’t have to worry about the stairs for the patients.
The one thing we will need to do is put a ramp outside, which won’t be an issue.
We can go over all the other details later.
I wanted you to see it first and hopefully approve. ”
“Of course, I approve. But if I run this place, I will need a partner or someone to help me run it.”
“I have someone in mind.” He winked. “You know what the best part of this place is?”
“What?” I asked.
“It’s only four minutes from home. So, if an emergency arises, you’ll be close by.”
“Carter, I love you so much.” I threw my arms around him.
“I know you do, and I love you so much.” He brushed his lips against mine. “By the way, we’re having dinner with your dads tonight at Per Se at seven o’clock.”
“Why do you know this, and I don’t?” I arched my brow at him.
“Because I’m the one who called and invited them.” He grinned.