Page 75 of Falling Hard for the Billionaire Cowboy

***

The next day, Austin drives me to work. I don't turn him down this time, grateful for his company. The ride is silent, but it's a comfortable silence. As we pull up to my office, he turns to me with a smile.

"Have a good day, Hayley," he says.

I glance around quickly, making sure no one's watching. Then, before he can say anything else, I lean in and give him a quick peck on the lips before dashing out of the car. I feel giddy, like a schoolgirl and I can just imagine his expression as I run into the office.

"Good morning, Hayley," my paralegal greets me as I enter the office. Having her on board now is such a blessing. She makes the office run so smoothly that I can’t imagine not having her.

"Morning Cindy, how was your night?" I ask cheerfully.

"It was good."

I nod, about to leave.

"Ms. Hayley –" Cindy calls out, stopping me. "You have a client waiting upstairs. I tried to keep him down here, but he was pretty adamant and truthfully, he frightened me a bit. I made sure your desk and file cabinet were locked before I left him. I’m really sorry."

I frown, a sinking feeling in my stomach. According to my schedule, the first client is arriving by 10 a.m. Somehow, I know who it's going to be before I even climb the stairs. I thank Cindy and let her know she acted properly and not to worry.

Sure enough, when I open my office door, Hank is there, sitting in my chair like he owns the place.

"What are you doing here?" I demand, slamming the door behind me.

He holds up his hands placatingly. "Relax, Hayley. I'm not here to cause trouble."

I feel paranoid, my eyes darting around the room. Has he taken anything? Left something behind? "What do you want, Hank? I thought I told you not to talk with me ever again?"

He sighs, reaching into his suit jacket. He pulls out an envelope and drops it on my desk. "Here."

I eye it suspiciously. "What is it?"

He looks agitated, running a hand through his hair. "You... you might be called to court."

I freeze, my heart racing. Nothing involving him ever brings good news. "What are you talking about?"

He hesitates before continuing. "There's a corruption case. I'm... involved. And since we were together back then, they think you might be part of it too."

The blood drains from my face. "Are you kidding me? Suspicions like this could get me disbarred for life! How could you involve me in this?"

"I didn't mean to!" he protests. "Look, I just need you to testify on my behalf. Tell them I'm innocent."

I feel a surge of anger. "Get out," I snarl. "Get out of my office right now. I will never help you. Do you understand? Never!"

When I finally get home that evening, I go straight to my cottage instead of the main house. I collapse onto my bed, feeling utterly drained. My phone buzzes – it's Austin calling. I can't bring myself to answer. A text follows shortly after, lighting up my screen.

I stare at Austin's name, guilt gnawing at me. How am I supposed to tell him about this? How do you tell your boyfriend that your ex is trying to drag you back into the place you escaped from?

As I lie there, torn between my past and my present, I realize that the happiness I've found here is more fragile than I thought. And I have no idea how to protect it.

***

I must have slept all night in my clothes, because the sky is light when a knock on the door startles me awake. Groggily, I stumble out of bed, my heart racing as I remember yesterday's events.

Don't tell me Hank found a way to find me here.

I open the door to find Austin standing there, worry etched across his handsome face.

I feel instant relief.

---