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Now that this side of the operation was virtually shut down, we could focus solely on the drugs. If next weekend goes well, I can get back to my normal life, which includes no SLED agents.

“I’m proud of you, Walker. Congratulations.”

“I’d prefer to hear that in person.”

“Sorry, I thought it was best if I came home. All my stuff is here, and I knew I had to get up early.”

“Is it normal to have these meetings at such short notice? Seems like you’d have a head’s up.”

“Normal, no, but occasionally, we have to meet with our legal specialist. My guess is that’s what is happening today.”

At the mention of the legal specialist, Marcus’ words fill my mind, then the asshole from his firm flashes in my head. “Let me come take you to work. Then you don’t have to worry about parking. I’ll come get you when you’re done.”

“That’s sweet, but I need my car.”

Yeah, she’s avoiding me. I’ll give her this space—today. But tonight, she’s mine.

“Okay, gorgeous, have a good day. Call me when you leave the office.”

“Have a nice day, Walker. I hope you get some rest.” The line goes dead, leaving me with a sinking feeling in my gut.

The exhaustion from earlier is gone, leaving me edgy and tense. I make a decision as I stalk back to my room and head directly to my closet. The room is big, with lots of shelves and both walls lined with hanging rods. My stuff is hung

neatly, arranged by item, but I took advantage of the large space and spread my stuff out. I take one look and instantly get to work moving things around and organizing my clothes to one side. When I’m done, I go to my dresser, doing the same.

By the time I’m finished, fatigue has set in. I set my alarm, strip, and collapse into bed. My brain starts to close down with all the stuff going on at work, and my thoughts wander to Emi.

Pretty soon, there will be no room for misunderstanding.

Chapter 16

Emi

It’s amazing how quick my heart can go from bursting with love to feeling like a lead weight. I’ve told myself over and over that I’m being an idiot, but the message isn’t sinking in.

It was too soon. What was I thinking? What did I expect? That’s the problem; I didn’t know what to expect. But now, I’m in a topsy-turvy state of emotions.

“Emi, I’m moving to Charlotte next month,” I hear Maren say, absently paying attention.

“Okay.”

She keeps talking, rambling about buying a motorcycle, quitting her job, and becoming a back-up dancer for Beyoncé. I nod with each statement, not caring. Her last announcement jars me out of my head, and my eyes snap to hers.

“What did you just say? You’re going back to Carlton? Are you fucking mental?”

“Finally! You pay attention to me. What the hell is your problem?”

I shake my head and look around her living room, realizing the bottle of wine is empty, there are papers spread out everywhere on our TA clients, and somewhere in the last hour, we’ve outlined a plan for Justin.

“Sorry,” I mumble, setting my glass on her coffee table then curling into the corner of her sofa. “I screwed up.”

“How?”

“I told Walker I love him.”

She sucks in a breath, her eyes growing wide. “And what was his reaction?”

“Nothing at first. It slipped out, and then he kissed me with such ferocity I literally melted into him.”