Page 20 of Wanted

“I decided to hire Megan on part-time, on a temporary basis. Ifshe works out then we’ll have a new member on our team.”

“Oh, cool. Nice to meet you,” he said before making himselfscarce again.

Having no idea where my head was at, I thought it importantenough to tell her my name, as well. “My name is Sara, by the way. You mightneed to know it.” We chuckled together but her real focus wasn’t on me; shecontinued staring at Matt as he walked away. I didn’t blame her, but she’d learnsoon enough she didn’t have a shot with him.

Oh, well. Who am I to ruinthe poor girl’s fantasy?

When her eyes returned to mine, she blushed quickly then said hergoodbyes as she walked out the door. I really hoped Megan worked out because wecould definitely use the help. There were three other part-time workers, but Ihad to cut back their hours because two of them were in school and needed tofocus on their studies and the other woman was set to have surgery on herelbow.

Walking around the counter to grab another pen, I heard my phoneding, indicating I’d received a text message. Opening it, I saw it was fromAlek.

I won’t be able to see youtonight. Too many things to straighten out with a deal to get away.Alek

Figures.

Sadly, his message didn’t surprise me, which was disheartening. Iwas too disappointed and paranoid over our tender relationship to even text himback. I needed some time to think, or over-think, as Alexa would say, about whateverwas going on recently between us. I knew he had other pressures on his time,but he never let it hamper us from being together before. Normally, he would simplyre-arrange his schedule in order for us to see each other.

So, what was different?

Distractedly, I muddled through the rest of my day. My thoughts keptfloating back to Alek, to the man who had quickly become my heart…myeverything. I knew we’d experienced something devastating in our shortrelationship, but it was merely a test, right? A trial of our love for eachother. Something which would bring us even closer.

I thought Alek and I couldbattle any weather, but our storm was proving to be too much, threatening totear the roof off our lives.

I texted him twice after I arrived home from work but he neveranswered. I was hurt, wallowing in my own crazy thoughts when I decided to callit a night and go to bed. It was still early, but I longed for the sweet armsof sleep to drag me under and not release me until a new day had arrived.

~14~

Alek

The text I sent to Sara was utter bullshit, but I didn’t knowwhat else to do. Of course I had pressing work issues, and of course I washaving a hell of a time with getting my new hotel up and running, but shit likethat never stopped me from seeing her before. Nothing stood in the way of usspending time together.

Without even asking, I knew my odd behavior was weighing on her. Iknew I was an asshole for putting her through it, especially after she’dfinally revealed her deepest feelings for me.

When she uttered the three words I’d been longing to hear, apiece of my soul broke away. I knew she meant every word, and for as much as Iheld those words tight, I knew nothing would ever be the same between us goingforward. So, I cherished our night together, then, like a coward, slipped awayin the morning before she even woke.

I was still a man conflicted. Loving Sara made me feel alive, mademe whole. But her life was more important. Her safety, to be exact. I knewexactly what I had to do, even though it would tear me up inside. Staying awayfrom her was going to be my ultimate challenge, but I had to do it. Otherwise,I ran the risk of endangering her forever simply because of the hold she had onme.

My phone’s shrill ring busted into my thoughts like asledgehammer.

“Devera,” I answered curtly. “What? Are you fucking kidding me? Well,why did he go back on his initial quote? Goddamn it! All right, I’ll be therein the morning.” I ended the call, even more irritated than before. The newdeal was taking so long to lock down, causing so many unforeseen complications.

One more thing to add to myplate.

The only good thing to come out of this debacle was I would beaway for a few days trying to work everything out with the developer. Which meantI wouldn’t be tempted to do or say anything rash, something I might regretlater on.

Since I’d been acting like such a dick lately, the least I coulddo was stop by to see her the following day before I left town.

It was close to noon when I walked through the front door of FullBloom. I was met by a stranger manning the front counter.

Who the hell is she?

The woman instantly made eye contact, but the look she gave memirrored my own.

Truth be told, I wasn’t used to such a reaction from women, solooking at the annoyance written all over her face threw me.

Actually, the way she looked at me was as if I’d killed her dog.

“Where’s Sara?” I asked, still doing my best to figure out whoshe was.

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