Page 99 of Hidden Resolution

Verity’s offer!

Just last week, an old college friend from Colorado emailed her, feeling her out about a position at her new start-up.

Why not? A scenery change might be the best solution. Besides Erica, nothing was holding her in Stonebrooke anymore. And as much as she’d love to remain part of her world, she couldn’t. Her friend’s future lay with Zack, and if Shonda were in their orbit, eventually, she’d circle back around Mason’s sun.

She slid behind the wheel of her car and pulled out her tablet. Next, she found Verity’s inquiry and sent an informal acceptance. The excited response eased some of her anxiety about the spur-of-the-moment decision, and for the next few minutes, they hammered out the details.

Shonda signed off and rested her head on the steering wheel.

Wow! She was really doing this! A fresh start.

A sense of rightness filled her, giving her peace. The jaded part of her didn’t trust the feeling. After all, she’d experienced the same with Mason, and look where they went—nowhere.

Her passenger door opened.

Her shrill scream filled the small space, echoing back to her.

“Damn, woman! It’s me.”

“Dane!” She needed a few precious seconds to recover. “What the fuck, dude? You couldn’t knock on my window?”

“You were inside your head and would’ve screamed anyway,” he said with a chuckle. Sobering, he added, “Seriously, though, if you’re going to sit in a parking garage, you should lock your doors.”

“Trust me, I won’t make the same mistake again.” She punched his shoulder. “You took ten years off my life.”

He chuckled, dimple flashing. She wondered for the millionth time why her heart couldn’t have selected him.

“Why so blue, babe? I suspect I know, but humor me.”

“I’m not blue. I’m happy.”

“Uh-huh.”

“I am!” she said, forcing a grin. “I’ve taken a job in Denver.”

“And you’re already regretting it.”

“No, I’m not.”

He raised a brow.

“I’mnot,” she insisted.

Dane remained silent and skeptical.

“Okay, maybe I’m a little shocked at the speed of it all,” she said. “But I’m happy I’m still employable after the Billy fiasco.”

“Good,” he said, nodding his approval.

She stared, feeling slightly betrayed by his enthusiasm. “You think I should go?”

“Yes. And although I’m going to miss your beautiful face, I think a change of scenery is exactly what you need.”

Deflated, she asked, “You do?”

“Yep.”

His seriousness twisted her heart in knots. She bit the inside of her cheek to stem the building sobs.