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She glanced at Farrah, and Farrah nodded. In that moment, I realized just how close they were. Mia may have been my employee, but she was fiercely loyal to Farrah.

Mia took a chair to the corner farthest from us, giving us as much privacy as she could while tapping on her phone.

I met Farrah at the other corner near the wall of windows and lowered my voice. “Are you okay? Tallie can be very direct, and while I like that in my executive team, I know it’s a lot to deal with.”

She turned her gaze away from the windows and tipped it up to meet my own. “I was on cloud nine this morning, and that meeting knocked me down real fast. And then to hear a major business deal is in jeopardy because of me? I don’t want you to give up what you’ve worked for.”

My chest squeezed in fear. I did not want to lose her over this. “Look, it was a hit to see Romero’s ratings come down like that, but there’s still plenty of time before the election. You don’t get to my level by being scared when you see a little dip. It will be fine. I promise.”

She nodded, looking down.

I wanted to put my arms around her, comfort her, but I knew I couldn’t do that publicly. And to be honest, I didn’t know if she wanted me to. She wouldn’t meet my gaze anymore, and she had her bottom lip caught between her teeth, chewing it anxiously.

“What else is worrying you?” I asked. I needed us to be okay.

She glanced toward Mia and back to me, finally meeting my eyes. Her irises were dark brown storm clouds filled with worry. “I don’t want to play second fiddle to your business for the rest of my life. I understand now, so early in our relationship. But what about a year from now? Five years from now?”

I couldn’t help it. I reached up, using the crook of my index finger to lift her chin. “Just because you’re not first, doesn’t mean you’re last.”

Emotions warred on her face, so many there fighting for dominance. When her lips parted, I could pin it. Fear.

“I don’t want to lose you to the real world, Gage. These past few months have been a fantasy, but there’s so much more to consider.”

I palmed her cheek with my hand. “Maybe our time together has felt like a dream to you, but you have to understand me, Farrah.” I swiped my thumb over the curve of her cheekbone. “This has been the realest thing I’ve ever felt.”

A soft cooing sound came from the corner, and Farrah and I both glanced toward Mia, remembering she was there.

“Sorry,” she said quickly. “Sorry. That was just really sweet.... Go back to pretending I’m not here.”

I chuckled softly while Farrah looked up at me, more color in her cheeks than before.

“Are you sure you can do this?” she asked. “Make my kids and me a priority and take care of your business?”

“Believe it or not, I’m more worried about talking to my parents.”

She cracked a smile. “Thank you for doing that for me, for us.”

“I wouldn’t have it any other way.” I dropped my hands, stepping back before more people saw us than probably already had. “I’ll go back to the conference room to talk with Tallie. She wants us to do a press conference this afternoon and then an interview with a local cable show. But if you don’t want to do it, I’ll tell her I’ll handle it on my own.”

Farrah bit her bottom lip again, and it took all I had not to reach up and free it before capturing her mouth with my own. “Do you think it will help your business?” she asked.

I nodded. “Tallie wouldn’t be asking us to do it if it wouldn’t help.”

She took a deep breath. “Okay. I’ll do it.”

And then her phone began ringing. She drew the device from her purse, and we both stared at the name on the screen.

Levi.

From across the room, Mia asked, “Who is it?”

Farrah took a deep breath, swiping her phone to answer.

44

Levi

I was walking down the beach with my stomach full of breakfast and warm sun hitting my skin, but the last thing I felt was happy. Actually? I was pissed.