Page 24
“Never underestimate the power of a shoe.”
– Giuseppe Zanotti
Sierra sat on the velvet sofa, staring into the dark. She’d flipped the sign to Closed at Flirt, and sent Brooklyn and Prim home for an early evening. Traffic was slow, a thunderstorm brewed, and they were all depressed.
The meeting had been brutal. Her employees were a small, tight-knit group that would now be out of work. Though she’d laid out her plan to fight the property sale, they all knew it was simply a delay. She didn’t own the property, or the land. Her lease was technically up. Her lawyer had been clear it would cost her a bundle to file paperwork that would have no effect.
Today, it would be official. Within the month, Flirt would close its doors.
And Kane Masterson had led the charge.
Nausea curled her belly. Would she be able to forgive or get past this awful resentment? Maybe time would heal all wounds.
Maybe not.
A low purr interrupted her thoughts and she sighed, cuddling Montgomery. He pushed his massive head against her, whiskers tickling, and she held him in the dark, in the store that she loved more than anything.
The rain pelted the windows. The scent of lavender candles hung in the air. When she first opened, Sierra would sit here after closing, smiling with pride at what she’d been able to create from nothing. The store had been her true North, guiding her creativity and passion, teaching her hard lessons about business and life, day to day to day.
Eventually, she’d reconnect with her strength. Every closing meant a new beginning. Maybe she would find another location. Maybe she would look outside of Duck and Corolla and these smaller beach towns and go further from the area. She’d have a commute but it may be more cost effective.
Or maybe she’d try to do something online. Pop-up shops were an option. Or gathering her designer contacts and putting together a special Flirt exclusive online.
A tiny spark flared, reminding her she’d weathered too many storms to drown now.
But tonight, Sierra would allow herself to steep in emotion.
Her phone buzzed.
Kane.
She declined the call. Not now. Not when he was fresh from signing the contracts and wanted to rationalize further on all the ways he had no other choice.
Fuck that.
A text flashed. Where r u?
Sierra ignored that, too. She pet Montgomery and allowed the silence and beauty around her to soothe her sick heart. She had no idea how much time had passed when there was a sudden bang from the front door. Oh, God, had she forgot to lock it?
She gently slid Montgomery off her lap and jumped up, squinting in the dark.
“We’re closed! You can come back—"
“Tom Hanks was an asshole. And so am I.”
She watched in shock as Kane strode forward with forceful determination. He was soaked, dripping water on the floor as his Armani leather shoes squelched with each step. With his hair plastered to his scalp, three-piece suit hanging loose on his body, and green eyes ablaze, Sierra blinked in astonishment as he finally reached her.
“What are you doing?”
“Begging your forgiveness for hurting you.”
Despair overtook her.
“I can’t do this tonight, Kane. You did what you had to, but don’t expect me to have this talk right now because it’s over and you’re suddenly filled with guilt.”
Pain etched his features.
“You don’t have to say a word. Please just listen.”
She wrapped her arms around herself to ward off the urge to go to him, even after he betrayed her.
“Fine. Talk.”
“I backed out of the deal. I was on my way to Stealth, and ended up speaking with Duncan in his office. We talked and he shared some stuff with me, about his past. Things that made me realize I never stopped to ask myself what I really wanted now. I just kept going after the same goals because it was what I knew. I’d structured my life to achieve in order to prove myself. Closing this deal was just another task, even at the expense of you.”
Sierra kept still and listened. He blew out a breath, shoved his wet hair back from his face, and continued.
“I can’t stand here and lie to you. Up until that moment, I planned on closing the deal. I was stuck in a mindset that no longer served me, but I couldn’t see it until I spoke with Duncan.”
“What did he say that made a difference?”
she asked.
“He said he’d once been like me. Focused on achievement and success. He’d betrayed a friend and still pushed on. But he began to change and see things differently. He realized he no longer wanted power and money—he wanted a life he loved. He walked away from it all and started his own company on his terms.”
She nodded.
“Makes sense. So, you were able to connect with his story?”
“Yes. For the first time, I realized I got to choose. I wasn’t the same kid who was desperate to prove himself, to save Derek and myself. Money and power no longer made me feel full. Since I arrived here and met you again, everything’s changed, but I kept trying to go back to where I was, thinking that was my true self. Brick tried to warn me but I couldn’t see it. God, I was so wrong. So fucking stupid. And it almost lost me the love of my life.”
His words struck full-force. Her chest loosened as hope bloomed. This wasn’t a practiced speech to try and win her over. It was as if a wall had broken within him and this raw confession poured from his very soul.
“What did you do after your talk?”
“Duncan said he’d back me up no matter what my choice was. I never had that type of support before. I was trained to win at all costs and suddenly, there was no doubt what I wanted.”
His gaze burned with regret and promise.
“You. I don’t need anything else except you, Sierra. How I could possibly think a job or money would ever be more important than loving you? I don’t think I’ll ever forgive myself. I’m not sure you can either, but damned if I won’t do everything in my power to try and show you I‘ll never make you doubt me again.”
Her lower lip trembled.
“What about Stealth?”
“Oh, they were pissed. I attended the meeting and blew it all up. Let’s just say my name won’t be synonymous with trust in this field now. And the deal will still go through. I just managed to delay it but Jack will make sure it’s smoothed out.”
Sierra dragged in a breath.
“So, you’ll stay working for Duncan. Do you really think you’ll be happy flipping medical offices the rest of your life?”
“No.”
“I didn’t think so.”
She squared her shoulders, refusing to cower from the truth.
“What are you going to do? Start your own business?”
The flash of white teeth threw her off.
“Nope. I want to do something different. I may work for Duncan for a while. Maybe I’ll get Brick to rehire me as a tour guide. I liked that. The possibilities are endless. And I want to explore them all with you by my side.”
Her eyes widened.
“You’re okay not knowing?”
His gaze turned serious.
“I think it’s the best thing for me. I never gave myself the opportunity before. It’s overdue.”
He reached out slowly and cupped her cheek.
“Would you be okay helping me figure it out?”
“Yes.”
Sierra nibbled on her lower lip.
“I need to be sure you have no regrets.”
“Oh, baby, I have too many to list. That I made you question how much I love you. That I blew up our trust. I don’t give a shit about Stealth or a fancy job or my old demons. I want a new start with you. I can prove I’m worthy if you give me a chance.”
“I think I can do that,”
she whispered, leaning forward. Her heart beat madly in her chest.
“Except we both may be unemployed for a while. Until I figure out what’s next for me.”
“Then we’ll figure it out together. I love you, Sierra. Life makes no sense unless I’m with you. I’m sorry it took me this long. If you want to find a new place for Flirt, we will. If you want to do something different, you’ll succeed. I believe in you. I forgot you don’t need me to take care of you or fix shit. You just need a partner by your side.”
She wrapped her arms around his neck.
“Have you been reading Aspen’s books? That’s a swoon-worthy line to close this chapter out.”
His lips stopped inches from hers.
“Actually, Marco gave me that one.”
“He’s still managing to surprise me.”
She smiled slowly.
“Now, kiss me Kane Masterson.”
He did.