Page 8 of Salvaged Hearts

Nodding, I gave her arm a little squeeze and promised, “See you soon.”

“Love you,” she added, pulling me in for a hug.

“I swear I’m fine,” I said with a laugh, squeezing her back. “This changes nothing.”

“Okay.”

“Okay! Love you, too, you weirdo.” Even as I turned away, it didn’t look like she believed me. I wasn’t so sure I believed me, either.

The navy embrace of night had wrapped around the city by the time I made it back to my apartment building. I hustled upthe stairs and into my home, relieved for once that it was empty. I’d never lived in a space this beautiful before—the condo had been my gift to myself a year into my position under Greyson, and it was perfect.

Walking distance to both my gym and the beach, modern in design with sleek lines and glass windows, it was exactly what I’d always pictured when I thought of life in the city. Could I even afford this place with a job outside the corporate world? Did I want to? Or was it time to refocus on my roots and start fresh somewhere new, with something humbler and more reminiscent of my coastal upbringing?

Glowering at the margarita mix I kept in a pretty glass canister on the counter against the slate backsplash, I went to the cabinet and pulled out my favorite authentic tequila—something we stocked up on whenever we made it over the border. Too lazy to pull out the blender, I just poured myself a shot and knocked it back. The second went down smoother, and I curled my lips as I set down the glass.

This changed nothing.

The heat of tequila crashed into the frustration in my veins, and I snatched my phone. Before I could think better of it, I pulled up my thread to Greyson—something I’d never electively initiated.

Alice:

Were you planning to tell me we drafted my brother?

Three dots appeared and vanished,and I paced around the island before the text finally bounced into my inbox.

Greyson

Good evening, Alessandra. It was scheduled to come up in our weekly briefing tomorrow as a courtesy.

Alice

This is why you were so certain I wouldn’t want to leave my position.

Greyson

I thought it might be an incentive to stay. Yes.

Alice

Is that why you drafted him?

Greyson

Oliver, Eli, and Coach Sartori oversee the team. And the term you’re looking for is traded, not drafted.

Alice

So, this has nothing to do with my position working for Hart Investments?

Bubbles appeared and vanished,but my mouth popped open whenGreyson Hart calling appearedon my screen.

Figuring that I wouldn’t be his employee for long, I slid the button to answer. “Good evening, Mr. Hart. I didn’t expect a phone call.”

“I didn’t expect a text from you.”

“Yes, well, I was a little caught off guard by the news. Truthfully, I would assume you would share information like that directly, as you prefer to be in front of any potential fallout.”

“Potential fallout?” he asked skeptically.

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