in front of her. The redevelopment plans, the notes, the timeline - they all

orked so hard to rise in her career, to distance herself from the girl she

Maplewood,

by Maplewood Lake, the summer sun kissing her

eyes sparkling. "Don't tell me

t aside. His dark hair was ruffled, his lean frame

, stepping closer. "But if I

he lake, both of them plunging into the cool, clear water. She

resting against hers. "Promise me we'll leave this tow

ir sharp suits, sharp words, and sharper expectations. They'd made it clear from t

queezing his hand. "We'll fin

to pr

e. We didn't find a way, she thought bitterly. That

e night everyt

ther opening it, his face paling as Mr. Saintwood him

rter," the older man had said

glance. Listened as the Saintwoods explained, calmly, that the relationship was over. That if Em

n her father cry

acked their bags. She le

to pr

are anymore. But seeing Ethan today, looking into those gray eyes that had onc

Focus, Emily. You are here fo

e knew it wouldn'

an'

d by his penthouse window,

her arms around his neck. God, he had been so sure they could beat the odds. But his f

lenched at

he wanted to admit. She looked different, older, sharper - but

cing at the photo on the

st in his life, but inside his

Ethan thought, closing his eyes as

sure he