Page 31 of The Billionaire I Left Behind

The challenge in his voice makes something in me snap to attention. I lift my chin. “I’ve always been serious about it.”

Bryan stares at me for a beat longer before he sets his coffee down and steps closer. Too close.

I hold my breath. He leans forward, peering at the pages, his shoulder brushing mine. Every nerve in my body tightens.

Don’t react. Don’t react.

But I do. His warmth seeps through my sleeve, his scent clouding my thoughts, making it hard to focus on anything except how it felt when he kissed me.

I exhale slowly, gripping the binder tighter. He flips through the pages, his fingers brushing the edges of the paper, and says, “You’ll need a bigger kennel space. And solar panels to cut costs.”

I blink. Solar panels? I expected indifference, maybe even teasing, but not… this. His voice is unreadable, but the suggestion is practical, well-thought-out. He actually cares.

I stare at him, unsure of what to say. He shrugs, still not looking at me. “It’s a smart idea but are you sure you want to run a non-profit clinic?”

Something in my chest tugs tight. Maybe I'm not sure. I mean I live for animals, it has never been a doubt. But what worries me is will it click? Will the clinic work?

I swallow down the words, unwilling to push whatever line we’re toeing. Before I can respond, my phone buzzes on the table.

Stella. I grab it, grateful for the escape. “Hey.”

Her voice is bright, excited. “Morning, stranger! Hope you’re not too busy because I have something for you.”

I glance at Bryan, but he’s turned back to his coffee, pretending he’s not listening.

“What’s up?”

“There is a shelter workday we have every once a year. We usually have vets from all over come around for a couple ofweeks since we don't have a clinic here yet. They always need a lot of volunteers. I think you should be part of it."

My grip tightens on the phone. This is a brilliant idea, this way I can figure out how best to help people with the clinic.

She keeps talking, voice animated. “Think about it, Em! It’ll give you a chance to put your name out there, get to know the people who could back your clinic. You need support, and this could be it.”

She’s right. I bite my lip, stealing a glance at Bryan. He’s still quiet, still pretending he’s not eavesdropping, but I can tell he’s listening.

I exhale. “When does it start?”

“Tomorrow.”

Tomorrow. A real chance. A way forward. I glance down at my binder, then back at Bryan. “Perfect,” I murmur, more to myself than Stella.

Stella squeals. “Knew you’d say yes! I’ll send you details. See you soon!”

I hang up and set my phone down, unable to fight the small, hopeful smile creeping onto my lips. For the first time in a long time, things feel… possible.

I glance at Bryan. He’s watching me now, eyes unreadable, fingers wrapped around his coffee mug like he’s holding onto something tighter than he should. I don’t know what he’s thinking, but for the first time since coming back, I don’t feel alone in this.

I clear my throat. “I have to do some things.”

He nods, but something flickers in his expression. Something I don’t have time to think about. Not now. Not after last night.

***

The scent of wet fur and antiseptic clings to the air, mingling with the sound of barking dogs and the scratch of Stella’s pen against a clipboard. The shelter is bustling, voices overlapping as volunteers move between kennels, feeding, cleaning, soothing nervous animals. I could have offered my services as a veterinarian, but it felt more important this time to just be there as a regular volunteer, helping wherever needed. Besides, a lot of area vets came.

I should be focused on the work. But his words won’t stop replaying in my head. It’s been over a day since he said it, since he brushed me off like our kiss was nothing. Like it hadn’t shaken me to my core.

My chest tightens, an ache sitting right in the center, pulsing with every breath.

---