Page 15 of Meeting Up with the Consultant

10

-Kensie-

“Idiot,” I mutter as I stomp from Brad’s office with no indication that he’s taken my advice and hired Harding. “Stupid head.”

Yeah. I know. Childish of me, but I can’t keep my frustration … no, my crushing disappointment from leaking out in elementary name-calling. I’d rushed from the storeroom the evening before, gone straight home, and bawled to my cat about the unfairness of life. Ate an entire quart of cookies and cream ice cream and woken with a pounding headache.

I’d been tempted to text Harding after running out on the most amazing moment of my life. Tempted to call him and beg him to stay. I hadn’t, though. And the fact that he hadn’t reached out to me either, left me with a bleeding heart ripped from my chest and plopped in my icy hands.

It had been pointless to let my hope hang on a man used to traveling the world. I’d known that. Kept my thoughts somewhat firmly in the not-gonna-happen-and-don’t-dwell-on-it arena of my brain for two solid weeks. Sure, my dreams after I fell asleep had all revolved around him. I can’t be held responsible for what fantasies my unconscious mind conjures up.

But any time my gaze had lingered too long on his face, I’d torn it away. Whenever I imagined what it’d be like to be held in his arms, to spend each day working alongside him without the departure date looming overhead, I’d force myself back on task.

One moment tangled in netting, and I’d blown my entire strategy to shreds.

I stalk into my office and slam my phone on my desk. Why can’t Brad see reason and just hire the man? My head hangs and my shoulders deflate as reality crashes over me. Harding will leave and life will have to go back to the way it was. Back to the routine of too many hours at work, frozen dinners, and watching movies with the laziest cat in the world.

It isn’t bad. Not really. Just isn’t anywhere close to what I know I want now.

The air in the room shifts and I stiffen in dread.

“I’m heading out.” Harding's voice is low and rough behind me.

I turn to face him and lean against my desk, gripping my fingers around the edge to keep myself from flinging my body to him. He looks great. Better than great, in fact, with his navy t-shirt clinging to his chest and his worn jeans hanging low on his hips. He looks refreshed, like he’d slept and is ready to roll.

Jerk.

I, however, have hair flying in all directions and such dark circles under my eyes it looks like I’d gotten in a brawl and lost. Not that it mattered.

“Thanks—” My words clog in my throat. Stupid tears. I clear them out and try again. “Thanks for everything. For making our plans even better.”

He steps closer, his relaxed stance breaking my heart even more. “Kens, I have a question for you.”

I take a deep breath and pep myself up. “Yeah?”

Another step closer.

“See, I have this problem. It’s not something I’ve encountered before, and I’m not sure what to do.”

“Okay.” It’s hard to breathe with each step he moves closer; like a moose sits on my chest.

“I have this idea, plan really, whirling in my head. It’s crazy. Life-altering crazy, but I’m ready for crazy.” He stops in front of me, his fingers pulling along a loose curl before tucking it behind my ear.

I freeze. My bones and muscles lock. Hope pounds hard against my chest, begging to burst out, but I’m too afraid to let it free.

“What do you say to dinner two weeks from Friday? You can show me your favorite place to eat and then we can find a place to sit and listen to some Hank the Cowdog.”

My hold on hope slips and words come out soft. “You’re coming to visit?”

He shakes his head, and my thoughts cloud in confusion. I don’t understand. Brad isn’t planning on hiring Harding. My third-degree unearthed that tidbit.

“No.” He runs his thumb along my jaw, sending warmth to rush through me. “See, this idea, this plan I’ve got has me setting up shop here in Grizzly Point.”

“You’re moving?” Hope flickers back to life, its light sparking in my chest. “Here? How? Why?”

“I’m starting my own consulting business online.” He closes the distance between us, stopping mere centimeters away. “Why? Well, this enigmatic redhead promises to be quite the adventure.” He leans in, his breath hot against my lips. “One I don’t want to miss.”

All my longings and dreams burst like the sun cresting over the horizon at dawn. Throwing my arms around his neck, I pull him close and kiss him hard. Blinding heat scorches the pain and disappointment away, leaving an expectation and hopefulness too full to contain. Any moment I’ll burst into a puddle of happiness on my office’s shiny hardwood flooring.

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