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“I’ll invest in it. One hundred percent. We’ll find a company to create the prototype.” His eyes held mine. “It’s a fantastic idea, Vivian. I want to help you make it happen. Hell, if they had that invention back then, it would’ve helped me.”

I gawked at him. I hadn’t meant for him to offer the capital for it. From chatting with the girls, I knew he was a former Navy SEAL. So I had hoped he could tell me what company made weapons or would be interested in my idea. I wouldn’t mind selling it to them for a percentage of the profit. But it appeared like he already had a business proposal in his head.

I tapped his forehead. “You already have a strategy in place, don’t you?”

“Always. Especially with something I’m passionate about.”

Curiosity nudged me. “Did you have a strategy with me?”

Something gleamed in his eyes, but he only gave a little truth. “You have no idea.”

I wasn’t sure if I should be wary of his plan for me or be excited that he thought that much about me.

My phone buzzed in my pocket, and I reached for it.

Calvin:Got news on Aimee. Meet me here tomorrow. GO ALONE.

Then he sent me an address to a restaurant I hadn’t been to.

“Who’s that?” Arrow asked.

“Calvin.”

“What does he want?” The softness in his eyes turned edgy.

“Nothing important.”

“He has news for you?”

I nodded but didn’t elaborate. I had to go alone. For whatever reason, Calvin didn’t want Arrow there.

“That’s good.” Arrow inhaled a breath. “Let me know what happens after.” I needed to follow up with the PI to see if he’d found anything on Aimee.

A knock sounded on the door, and my assistant, Dakota, peeked in. “Your next patient is ready.”

“We’re all set. Can you please schedule him for his next cleaning with me?”

“Sure thing. Come this way,” said Dakota. “You’re her first adult patient.”

“I’m her biggest baby,” he told her, and she laughed.

I smiled and wondered if my relationship with him was developing faster than I had anticipated.

What if the swift speed prevented me from seeing all the obstacles along the side?

CHAPTERTWENTY-NINE

VIVIAN

The next day,Kaylee didn’t have school because of staff development. I’d taken the day off to catch up on errands and prepare for my meeting with Calvin later.

“I want to know everything.” I sat at the kitchen table, staring at Kaylee as she swallowed a bite ofthe pepperoni pizza.

“What do you want to know?”

“Did you know I was chatting with Arrow on Heartstrings?”

She shook her head. “No. Not until recently, when he found out you were my guardian.”