Page 125 of Sunkissed Colorado

I rubbed my face. “I lost track of time. Sorry. I should’ve been helping.”

“Don’t worry about that. Let’s just go home.”

I hesitated, my body a mess of feelings that seemed to be bleeding out everywhere. An invisible crime scene. “I need to stay here for a while.”

A pained look crossed his handsome face. “Just come home with me, Z. We can figure this out tomorrow.”

“I need some space to think before the meeting with Manny in the morning.”

He looked like he wanted to argue, but finally nodded reluctantly. “Promise me you’ll call when you’re ready to head home. I’ll come pick you up.”

“I promise.”

Before he left, Callum stopped at the door. “I’m sorry I upset you, but I’m not sorry for taking myself out of the running for general manager. What’s done is done. I’m not letting this be the end of us. I won’t.”

I won’t either, I wanted to say.

But the words wouldn’t come, and I wasn’t even sure I believed them.

Because when in my life had I ever been able to hold on to the things I loved most?

I fell asleep at the desk, my head resting on my arms.

A noise startled me awake. My chair squeaked, my head blurry with confusion as I glanced around. What time was it?

The clock on the wall said 12:30. Everyone else at Hearthstone Brewing would be gone.

So, why had that sounded like a door slamming?

It had to be Callum. Relief spread through me at first. I’d been here stewing for long enough. What I really wanted nowwas to go home. Just get into bed with him and sleep in his arms.

Maybe his confidence and optimism would somehow seep into me during the night so I could figure out what the heck I was going to say to him tomorrow.

Such as,I love you.

I got up and opened the door to the office.

And nearly smacked into Ian.

“What are youdoinghere?” I stammered, my heart immediately racing. “How did you get in?”

Ian’s expression was hard. Determined in a way I’d never seen before. “I need you to open the safe.”

“I’m sorry,what?”

“You heard me.” He pushed me back into the office, shutting the door behind us. “The safe, Zandra. Open it.”

It had been days since I’d seen Ian at my parents’ house. I never would have conceived of him staying in Hart County. Or doing something like this.

“You’rerobbing us? Are you fucking kidding me? Have you lost your mind?”

“It’s a loan.” Ian picked up my phone from the desk and pocketed it. Not that he would’ve let me stand here and dial 9-1-1 anyway. But what did he really think was going to happen here?

He didn’t have a gun, thank goodness. But this was justwild.

I crossed my arms. “No,” I spit out.

His fists clenched. “Your boyfriend already threatened me. You stood there while he twisted my arm like he was going to break it. What makes you think I won’t do that to you?”