Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 79328 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 317(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79328 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 317(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
“They liked you too.” I pressed a kiss to the top of her head. “You fit in perfectly.”
She tilted her face up to look at me, her expression soft and open in a way that made my heart stutter. “Yeah?”
“Yeah,” I said huskily.
I looked at Raina—this woman who had somehow become essential to me in such a short time, in more ways than I could count, and I finally stopped fighting the truth that had been quietly taking root in my heart.
I was falling in love with her.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Raina
I woke slowly on Monday morning, stretching beneath the soft sheets of my own bed. Sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting warm stripes across the comforter, and for a moment I just lay there, savoring the rare luxury of not having to rush.
Today was the day. Alexander was signing the contract to partner with Powers Investment Group. The meeting was scheduled for eleven o’clock at his office, and excitement hummed beneath my skin at the thought of what Simon and I had accomplished. The relationship we’d built with Alexander, the negotiations and strategic planning, all of it culminating in signatures on the dotted line.
Simon was at GalvaTech this morning. Liam had been working tirelessly to prepare for the launch of their new EV charger, and the marketing team finally had their presentation ready for review. Simon needed to approve everything before they moved forward, so he’d be tied up there for a few hours and planned to head straight to Alexander’s office afterward.
Which meant I wasn’t needed at Powers Investment Group first thing.
My tasks were simple when I did arrive: print the finalized contract that our own lawyer had reviewed and approved, and deliver it to Alexander’s office around ten, giving us plenty of buffer before the eleven o’clock meeting. Everything was ready. All that remained was making the partnership official.
Sleeping in on a Monday felt almost rebellious, and I took my time getting ready. A long, hot shower instead of my usual rushed five minutes. A proper breakfast of eggs and toast instead of a grab-and-go granola bar. Coffee that I actually sat down to drink while scrolling through the news on my phone.
When I finally stood in front of my closet to change into my work outfit, I considered my options carefully. This was a big day, the culmination of everything we’d worked toward. I wanted to look polished and professional.
I also wanted to look good for Simon.
He’d made it abundantly clear over the past few weeks that he had a particular appreciation for my pencil skirts, so I chose a black one that hugged my curves and paired it with a blue silk blouse, long-sleeved with delicate buttons down the front that made my eyes brighter. Professional and polished enough for an important business meeting, but feminine enough to catch his attention.
I’d just finished applying light makeup—mascara, a touch of blush, neutral lip gloss—when my phone rang.
Hazel’s name flashed on the screen, and I answered on the second ring.
“Hey, can you do me a huge favor?” The words tumbled out of her in a rush that immediately set me on edge.
“Of course.” I straightened, my reflection in the bathroom mirror frowning back at me. “What’s wrong?”
Hazel took a breath, and when she spoke again, her voice was more controlled, but I could hear the strain beneath it. “I’m not sure anything is wrong. I just… I’m worried about Miles. He wasn’t feeling well last night. Nauseous and more tired than usual. I figured it was a stomach bug—he’s been a little off since he got back from Jersey after Saturday’s game. But today, I haven’t been able to reach him.”
“He’s not picking up?” My voice tightened. I was already moving toward the living room, reaching for my purse.
“No and that’s not like him. When I left this morning at six, he was still asleep and he’s usually up by eight. I’d run home and check on him myself, but I have a live interview in ten minutes.” She paused, and I heard the worry she was trying to contain. “I’m probably freaking out over nothing, but I have this feeling. Would you be able to swing by? Just to make sure he’s okay?”
“I’m not at the office yet, and I have some extra time this morning.” I grabbed my keys from my bar as I headed out the door. “It’s no problem. He probably just left his phone on silent. I’ll tell him to call you.”
I was trying to reassure Hazel, but unease had already taken root in my chest. Miles wasn’t the type to ignore his phone. Something about this definitely felt off.
“Thank you,” Hazel breathed. “I owe you.”
I ended the call and drove straight to the house she and my brother shared—a two-story home in a quiet neighborhood where everyone had manicured lawns and waved to their neighbors as they drove by. The kind of wholesome place where they could raise kids someday.