Page 138 of When Hearts Remember

It’s a different loss I’m grappling with.

The Alexis in front of me is driven, resilient, and alluring. The past her was whimsical, impulsive, and endearing. I love both versions of her, but in forgetting the past, I’m doing the one thing I swore I’d never do.

Letting the old Alexis die.

My heart twists behind my rib cage.

“This membership program will foster consumer loyalty and we can funnel these customers into our higher-end hotels once they age out of the target market.”

She tucks her silky hair behind her ear, flashing the hummingbird earrings I gave her all those years ago. My fingers snag on my cuff link. We’re both wearing pieces of each other, only she doesn’t know.

“And that concludes our presentation. Questions?”

The audience erupts into applause and a flush creeps up her neck. Her eyes sweep around the room and I hold my breath, wondering if she’ll see me all the way in the back.

She does.

Our gazes connect and her eyes widen before her lips curve up in the same brilliant smile I remember.

The air rushes out of my lungs.

Always radiant, my beautiful Nova.

Happily, she gathers her things and beelines toward us. Something has shifted between us since our picnic.

She let me hold her in the courtyard—a real embrace. Not one fueled by passion in a dark club, but one filled with emotion.

It was the first time in almost a decade that she held me back.

And now, she’s no longer guarded the way she usually is around me.

“How was it, guys?” Her scent of lavender reaches my nose and I inhale.

Liam reaches for her hair. “Looking good, Fire—”

“Don’t you dare, Liam. Don’t you mess up my hairdo.” She bats his arm away, her lips twitching.

“I like the idea of the membership program,” Maxwell murmurs, walking up to us. “The rebranding I’ll need more info on. Put some time on my calendar for next week.” His Majesty, as we call him, saunters off.

“That’s a compliment from Maxwell.”

Suddenly, Alexis freezes, and Liam’s brow flies up.

I frown and look down, finding her hand in mine. It feels as natural as breathing.

Shit.

Quickly letting go, I flex my fingers, still feeling the tingles from that brief touch. “Good job, Alexis,” I rasp.

The flush on her face deepens.

“Is there something I should know about?” Liam narrows his eyes.

“W-What? I did a good job. Scared I’ll no longer be the black sheep of the family, Liam?” She bites her lip and heat flows straight to my groin.

Liam huffs. “Please. You were never the black sheep. I was.”

I shake my head, needing to stop the bickering before they brawl in front of me. “What are you guys doing after work?”

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