Page 80 of No Summer Hotter than You

I laughed at her sincerity, and she rolled her eyes at me with a smile. “Is there anyone in the company who you’d think would be a good fit to take over if you don’t?”

I thought for a moment. “There’s Paul. He’s always been my dad’s right-hand project manager. He had been with the company since the beginning and had seen it all with my dad, through thick and thin.”

“Isn’t he the same age as your dad?”

“He’s actually a few years older.” I laughed.

“Which means he’s going to be retiring before your dad. Anyone else you can think of?” she questioned.

“No . . .” I whispered. “Not really. I’d volunteer Andy since he’s good with numbers and finance, but he knows only the basics of being a general contractor and developer. And he’d probably kill me if I did.”

Shoua softly laughed a sweet jingle. “Exactly, which leaves only you.”

I tipped my head to the side, thinking about it. “Nah, I don’t know about that.”

She lightly nudged me in the side. “Anthony, stop.”

I smiled, scooting closer to her so we were sitting thigh to thigh. “Fine.”

“Now, repeat after me,” she said with a determined glint in her dark brown eyes. The dim moonlight made her eyes glitter like the stars. “I am more than enough.”

I hesitated for a second, then took a deep breath. “I am more than enough.”

She nodded approvingly with a growing smile. “I am capable.”

“I am capable,” I repeated, feeling my grin stretch wider to mirror hers.

“I deserve this opportunity to be a leader.”

“I deserve this opportunity to be a leader,” I said as my heart started beating a tad stronger. I blinked at how determined my voice was now.

“There you go.” She patted me on the shoulder.

I nodded slowly. “Now you.”

“Me?”

“Repeat after me,” I said, knocking my knee into hers. “I am worthy.”

“I am worthy,” she said with a laugh.

I laced my fingers through hers and brushed my thumb lightly over her knuckles. “I am the most beautiful woman to ever grace this earth.”

“I am beautiful,” she said simply.

I shook my head. “Say the whole thing, Shoua!”

“No, I already said I’m beautiful.”

“Fine,” I easily caved in. “Now say, ‘I am deserving of anything and everything wonderful under the sun.’”

“I am deserving,” she said as she nodded.

“Baby,” I mocked. “Why are you simplifying all the nice affirmations I have for you?”

Shoua let out the cutest laugh as she buried her face into my shoulder and then looked up at me with twinkling eyes. “You’re too much.” Her voice was lightly muffled.

I scoffed, feigning offense. “I am not. You know I only want nothing but the best for you. Right? It’s the least you deserve.”

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