Silicon Valley Sweetheart Read Online Free Page A

anyway. What difference would it make if I shared my problems with him?
    “Well, I have been working since I was 16 years old to save money to go to Stanford. How many 16-year-olds do you know who work 30-40 hours per week plus go to school? After I graduated from high school, I worked two jobs while I went to college at night to make my dream possible…”
    “I see,” he said. I kept waiting for him to offer some ill-advised solution, but he only listened to me intently.
    The flight attendant came back with two cans of tomato juice and two small bottles of vodka. As I reached over to grab the can, I couldn’t help but notice how sexy Mark was. It’s probably best that I didn’t allow anything to happen last night. My life is complicated enough right now. Why did his eyes have to be so blue? It was like they were magnets drawing me toward them.
    “As you may have ascertained from what happened earlier, there is no money in my checking account. My uncle has taken it all.”
    “How can he do that?”
    I let out a heavy sigh.
    “Well, apparently since he cosigned for it, and I never took him off of the account, he is legally allowed to rob me, and there’s nothing I can do about it. That’s what the bank said, anyway.”
    Mark listened to me, shaking his head the whole time. I could tell he was shocked that this could happen.
    “And then, I get an email this morning from Stanford saying they’ve revoked my financial aid. On top of that, the organization that awarded me a scholarship has rescinded their offer. No explanation. Just a ‘We’re sorry... have a nice life...’
    “My uncle kicked me out last night. Surely this was his doing. According to him, I was out all night having sex with strange men. I grabbed my stuff and came right to the airport. I’ve been here all night...”
    I let out a small giggle. “Well, he was right about one thing... There was a strange man. Oh wait, that was you…,” I said sarcastically.
    I could feel tears welling up in my eyes. Don’t cry, I told myself.
    “I’m so sorry.” He pushed the armrest between us up, put his arm around me, and said, “Just sit here with me and rest. Everything will work out. It always does.”
    Even though we’d only met the night before, his arms felt strangely comforting. I had never felt so safe. So protected. I wanted to believe everything would be okay.
    In an instant, I was asleep.

Chapter 4
    “ W ake up , sleepy head. We’re just about to land,” Mark said.
    It took me a second to open my eyes. It seemed like we’d only taken off moments ago and before I knew it, the Golden Gate Bridge was visible outside my window. I still hadn’t figured out yet where I was going to stay tonight or how I was going to get there. One thing at a time... I thought.
    As soon as we landed, I pulled out my phone to see if my uncle had responded. Nothing. I’m not even sure I expected a response from him.
    Mark stood up and grabbed both of our carry-on bags.
    “What do you think you’re doing with that?” He looked at me like he didn’t understand what I was saying.
    “You don’t have to carry that,” I said, trying to take it from him. “I can handle it.”
    “You don’t really believe I would let a lady carry her luggage, do you?” he smiled wryly, continuing to walk towards plane door.
    “Suit yourself.”
    Once we were off the plane, we kept a fast pace walking towards baggage claim. Neither of us said anything. It was uncomfortable walking in silence.
    “I’ve told you about me... Probably more than you wanted to know. What’s your story?”
    He slowed down.
    “Well, contrary to some narrowly held beliefs, I’m not strange...”
    Even though I had just met him, he was right, he didn’t seem strange. At least he didn’t seem like the deranged stalker-type of strange. I don’t know what it was, but something made me feel like I could trust him.
    “This is home. I’ve been in New York the past month on business. We just