Page 78 of Betrayal of a Billionaire

She chewed her lower lip. Did she? Or was he putting too much faith in her?

“Take your time, sweetheart. Don’t let anybody rush you. And don’t let the Hopper brothers put you behind that desk again. You’re too good for that.”

She chuckled at the words as she wiped away her remaining tears. “Okay. No job at the Herald.”

“Take care, Juju. And don’t wait so long before you come home again, okay?”

“I promise,” she said before she rose and tugged him into a hug.

She sank onto the bench again, watching as he departed with a deep, calming breath. She chewed her lower lip, needing space. His words echoed in her mind, stirring memories of a simplertime. She found herself longing for the days when life’s choices seemed so straightforward, a stark contrast to the complex web of emotions she now faced.

She rose from her seat, tossed her cup, and headed for her car. Leaving the town behind, she threaded through backroads before she pulled off to the side. She disappeared into the forest. Pine needles carpeted the barely-there trail she followed, stepping over large roots and sidestepping rocks.

When she emerged from the trees, she stared out over a small rocky beach. The water slapped against the rocks before dragging them back toward the ocean in a natural song of clacking pebbles.

She closed her eyes for a moment, listening to the music of nature before she picked her way across the beach to a rocky outcropping. She climbed on top of it and sat down, staring out over the rolling waves. She tracked the progress of a small sailboat in the distance, memories of her midnight sail with Luke floating through her mind.

She contrasted it with the argument this morning with Grant. As confusion swirled within her, she laid back against the hard stone, staring up at the blue sky. Dark clouds gathered on the horizon, indicative of a nasty storm blowing in. But for now, blue skies still covered Harbor Cove.

Her thoughts drifted between the comforting past with Luke and the tumultuous present with Grant. Memories of laughter and shared dreams with Luke clashed against the stark reality of her life with Grant, leaving her heart torn in two.

Another cool breeze whipped past her, bringing with it the scent of rain.

Was the Chief right? Did she already know the answer to her problem? After this morning, she thought she did. But she was reluctant to accept it. Reluctant to make a mistake.

Her eyes slid closed as thoughts, questions, and doubts bombarded her.

No, the Chief was wrong. She had no idea what she was doing. And she wasn’t certain she ever would.

The distant rumble of thunder grew louder, mirroring the turmoil within her. A sense of foreboding filled the air, the storm’s approach reflecting her own brewing storm of emotions.

The chime of her cell phone broke the ominous silence. She pulled herself up to sit, digging her phone from her pocket.

She expected Ethan or Alicia after her conversation with the Hoppers, then the Chief. Grant’s name, though, surprised her.Sorry to bother you, but Sierra’s missing. We can’t get a hold of her. She stormed off into the woods after an argument with Lydia. I’m worried about her with the storm coming.

Her heart skipped a beat. Worry over Sierra replaced every other emotion that swirled within her. What had happened to her, and would they find her before the storm hit?

CHAPTER 17

GRANT

Grant’s heart pounded against his ribs as the Jeep disappeared from his sight. In a place she’d grown up in, he had no doubt she’d seek and find whatever comfort she needed or wanted. Comfort she couldn’t get from him.

Comfort he’d ripped away from her.

He slid his eyes closed as his temples throbbed. Why had he said the things he’d said? He should have heard her out. He should have listened, but his anger, driven by his jealousy and desperation to hang on to her, sent him spiraling. And probably cost him the person he’d been so focused on not losing.

The hurt in her eyes as she stormed from the house haunted him. So did her words. They sliced him deeper than he thought he could be hurt.Maybe we shouldn’t be married.

Did she really mean that? Was she on her way back to Luke now?

The pain in his head increased as he imagined her meeting him at the boat named after her. She ran to him, throwing herarms around his neck. And then he’d kiss her and promise her to make her happier than Grant ever could.

The thought turned his stomach, but now it was too late. She was gone.

He stared through the trees where her car disappeared. Every laugh they’d shared, every touch, now all seemed like a fading dream. He recalled the first time they’d watched a movie together, how he’d teased her about her choice, how her laughter had filled the room. That all echoed hollow now in his heart, a stark reminder of his repeated failures in love.

Was it all a charade for her? His heart ached with the possibility of never seeing her smile again.