Read Online You Belong To Me by Patricia Sargeant - Free Book Online Page A

Simone.
    â€œGo ahead,” Derrick encouraged. He leveled a steady gaze at Malcolm. “Take care of her.”
    â€œI will.” Malcolm took Nicole’s elbow to guide her back to his car. “Nice to see you again, Guy.”
    â€œSame here.” Her cousin gave her a worried look.
    She tossed him a reassuring smile that felt wobbly around the edges.
    Malcolm held open the car door for Nicole to slide into the rented Ford Fiesta, then took the driver’s seat. He drove out of the lot and merged into traffic before he opened the conversation.
    â€œWhat were you doing at the hospital?” He glanced at her before returning his attention to the road.
    â€œVisiting my cousin Simone.”
    Nicole thought she saw relief cross Malcolm’s features. As they drove the short distance to her apartment, she explained to him about Simone’s need for a kidney transplant.
    â€œThat’s what finally convinced me to sell the movie rights to InterDimensions. Simone moved back in with Aunt Rose after her husband died.” Nicole paused to clear the lump in her throat.
    â€œHer husband must have been young,” Malcolm commented.
    â€œHe was twenty-nine. He loved Simone and Lynnie a lot. Lynnie doesn’t remember much about him. She was only two when he died.”
    â€œThat’s rough,” Malcolm murmured.
    â€œThings were hard for Simone. She couldn’t manage all of the bills on her own. Moving in with her mother helped. Then Simone became ill.” Nicole paused to survey the area. “Turn left at the next light.”
    â€œThanks.”
    Nicole waited a moment more. “Anyway, the company she worked for started having financial problems. They laid off dozens of employees, including Simone. She couldn’t afford to extend her medical care, even though she was sick.”
    â€œThat’s terrible.”
    â€œYes.” Nicole sighed. “Now, Aunt Rose, Guy, Derrick, and I are taking turns caring for Lynnie. I’m sure this instability and not understanding what’s wrong with her mother are the causes for her nightmares.”
    Malcolm pulled into the underground parking garage of Nicole’s apartment building. “Once we sign the contract tomorrow, the bank will release the check and we’ll be able to pay you for the rights.”
    Malcolm found a parking space. He turned off the engine before facing Nicole. Shadows from the underground garage outlined his high cheekbones and darkened his brown eyes.
    Nicole held his gaze. “That check will allow us to put Simone’s name on the donor list. I’m very grateful. We all are.”
    â€œThere’s no need to be grateful. You earned that money.”
    â€œDespite my grand gesture of rejecting your offer, you can see I need this project a lot more than you do,” Nicole remarked, ashamed at the memory.
    Malcolm broke eye contact with her, and they sat in silence for several moments.
    â€œThe important thing is, we’re going to make this movie,” Malcolm said. “Working together, we’re going to create a blockbuster.”
    â€œYeah.” She grinned. “It will be exciting.”

C HAPTER F OUR
    Malcolm watched Nicole enter the terminal at the Los Angeles International Airport. The month he’d spent waiting for her to settle her affairs in New York before flying to L.A. had been painfully long. He stepped away from the wall that had supported him for the past hour this morning and took the first steps toward what he hoped would be his second chance.
    He smiled into her gaze. “Hi. How was the flight?”
    She didn’t return his smile. Apparently, any strides he had made in New York were forgotten. “Fine, thanks. I appreciate your meeting me. I hope I didn’t ruin any plans you had for your Sunday.”
    â€œNo, you didn’t.” He extended his hand toward her. “Can I take your bag?”
    â€œNo, thanks. It’s not