Page 60 of Curvy Desire's Second Shot

One of the senior partners, a sharp-eyed woman named Ellen, had noticed my attention to detail and my knack for solving problems on the fly. She’d given me more responsibility, and before I knew it, I was managing entire teams, coordinating schedules, and handling budgets. It was demanding, but I thrived on it.

“You’ve got an eye for this,” Ellen had said during a meeting a few months ago. “Ever think about taking it to the next level?”

Her words had stuck with me, planting a seed I hadn’t been able to ignore. I’d started taking night classes, learning the ins and outs of project management and design. It was exhausting, juggling work and school and everything else, but Naomi had been my biggest cheerleader through it all.

“You’re going to kill it,” she’d said more times than I could count, her voice steady and sure. “I know you will.”

Now,as I stood in the office of the company I’d helped grow, I couldn’t help but feel a quiet sense of pride. The promotion to regional project manager hadn’t been easy to earn, but it felt right. I’d worked for it, fought for it, and the results spoke for themselves.

My phone buzzed on the desk behind me, pulling me from my thoughts. I picked it up and smiled when I saw Naomi’s name on the screen.

How’s the first day as the big boss?she’d texted, followed by a winking emoji.

So far, so good,I typed back.Not sure they’ve realized what they’ve signed up for.

Her response came almost immediately.They’re lucky to have you. Don’t forget that.

I set the phone down, her words warming me in a way nothing else could. Naomi had a way of grounding me, of reminding me why all of this mattered. It wasn’t just about the career or the title—it was about building something real, something lasting.

The day flew by,a steady stream of meetings, phone calls, and site visits keeping me busy. By the time I pulled into the driveway of our house that evening, the sun was dipping low in the sky, casting the yard in a golden glow. Naomi was on the porch, her legs tucked beneath her as she read a book. She looked up when I stepped out of the truck, her smile bright and welcoming.

“Hey,” she said, setting the book aside as I climbed the steps. “How was it?”

I sank into the chair beside her, letting out a long breath. “Busy. Good. A little surreal.”

Her hand found mine, her fingers threading through mine as she leaned closer. “Surreal in a good way?”

“The best way,” I said, squeezing her hand. “I feel like... like I’m finally building something. For us.”

Her smile softened, and she rested her head on my shoulder. “You are, Hudson. And I’m so proud of you.”

We sat there in the fading light, the quiet settling around us like a warm blanket. The fight, the chaos, the uncertainty—it was all behind us now. What lay ahead was ours to shape, and for the first time, I felt ready to take it on.

This wasn’t just a fresh start. It was a legacy. And with Naomi by my side, I knew it would be one worth leaving behind.

Chapter Forty-Five

Naomi

The soft hum of voices filled the bright, open space of the community center. Sunlight poured through the large windows, casting golden beams across the room. I sat at my desk near the front, a stack of papers in front of me and a steaming cup of tea close at hand. It was still early, but the energy of the day was already buzzing, and I couldn’t help but smile.

This was my space now—my project, my purpose. It felt surreal.

When Hudsonand I had moved to this town, I hadn’t been sure where I fit. My focus had been on helping us rebuild, finding a sense of normalcy after everything we’d been through. But as we settled in, I found myself drawn back to the things that had always grounded me: helping others, creating connections, making a difference.

It started small. Volunteering at the community center a few days a week. Organizing donation drives. Helping set up programs for families and kids. But as the months passed, my role grew. I started taking on more responsibilities, working with the center’s director to expand outreach efforts and secure funding for new initiatives.

Then, three months ago, the director announced her retirement. I’d been stunned when she’d asked me to step into her role.

“Me?” I’d said, disbelief clear in my voice. “Are you sure?”

“You’ve been running the place already, Naomi,” she’d replied, laughing softly. “You’re a natural. The center needs someone with your heart.”

Her faith in me had been overwhelming, but it was Hudson’s support that sealed the deal. When I told him about the offer, his face lit up with pride.

“You were made for this,” he’d said, pulling me into his arms. “Say yes.”

So I had. And now, sitting here in my office, I felt a mix of gratitude and determination. This was my chance to do something meaningful, to give back to the community that had welcomed us with open arms.

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