el's

meeting was in full swing, voices discussing quarterly projections and strategic expansions. My executives sat aro

down, I saw an unfamiliar number. I frowned. Normally, I'd l

nd answered. "This

e said on the other end. "Arnold Hargrov

a legend in the industry, a man w

tone measured despite the excitement surging

You're competent, precise, and driven. I've got a pr

pounding. "I'm honored. Could yo

you. Review it. It's time-sensitive and crucial to my in

ppoint you,"

ce, barely acknowledging anyone along the wa

mail. As I clicked on the attached project brief, I skimmed through t

dge. My

reen as the memories came flooding back. The sleepy little town I

el

the way her dark eyes lit up when she smiled, the soft sound of he

ure of what it could mean for my business. This wasn't just a contract. It was Hargrove

eant facing my past-a past I'd

ght. The city skyline glowed behind me, but it felt

ped inside, her heels clicking against the floor. She looked effortless

project?" she asked, arching a

licated than th

nto my lap. "Complicated or not, I'm proud of you. Hargrove doesn'

ying to push aside the turmoil inside

wed briefly. "

odd

ting her head. "I've never h

t much to s

h you," she announced

ou don't

don't have much going on here, and I'd rather be close to you. Who kn

pite the weight on my chest. "Y

me," she teased, le

her lips touched mine, Amelia's face fla

way to open fields and dense woods, the kind of scenery I hadn't seen in

d. The memories were vivid-the sound of rushing water at the stream, the w

, trying to foc

ted, I pulled over near a field where an older man was tendi

an you point me to

that way and take the second left. There's a

ed him and follow

den sign that read The Willow Stop. I parked the c

e and baked goods filled the air. I scanned the room, my gaze

nt, my hea

was

el

lders, looking more beautiful than I remembered. Time had only deepen

longing, regret. My pulse raced

d, and they lo

hadn't existed. As if we were still the same people who had whispered

ession on her face shifted-shock,

her voice barely audible

rld I'd carefully built ca