Page 59 of Where We Bloom

“Yes, sir.”

His jaw ticks at that, and I send him a sassy grin. Once he’s backed out of my driveway and driven away, I close the door, lock it, and let out a long breath.

Holy shit, Connor Gallagher just swept me off my feet.

Chapter Ten

CONNOR

Ihad one whole day with her, and now I fucking miss her.

It took everything in me, every ounce of self-control, to walk away from her after dinner yesterday. Being with her is as easy as breathing. I wanted to stay, to ask her more questions, to simply hold her.

Sleep beside her.

And that’s not something I usually think about. No other woman, not even my ex-wife, made me contemplate the idea of curling up in bed to simplybewith her. To fuck? Of course. But to hold and show affection?

I’ve never given it any thought.

Until my bumble bee.

“Sir, did you hear me?”

I drag my hand down my face and turn to Lyle, my site manager, then push my glasses up my nose.

“So the main lodge is here.” I point at the plansbefore me and look up and point at the land. We’re on-site today, and I’m approving phase two of the build.

Phase one is already under construction. The condos were the first to break ground because private investors own those. Some owned them previously and chose to stay. Others took the insurance money and ran, selling to others.

I’ll own the penthouse that I had added to the plans.

“As you know,” Lyle continues, “other buildings will be over there. Shops, restaurants, and equipment rentals. You’ve added downhill bike rentals in the summer.”

Among other things.

I nod, scanning the area and picturing it perfectly in my head. Of course, the renderings we’ve had done make it hardnotto see it clearly. This resort will be stunning.

And it will make me a lot of money.

It’s hot today, and I’m in a suit, so I shed my coat, roll my sleeves, and take off my tie. For the next several hours, we tour the mountain, making sure everything is in place to begin the next phase of construction.

My phone pings with a text, and I pull it out of my pocket, pleased that it’s my angel.

Angel: Did you seriously send this?

Angel: *Photo of a case of water*

You need to stay hydrated. It’s your favorite.

Yes, I sent a case of her favorite water to thebookshop just to make her smile. Because her smile is my favorite thing.

How are you today? Is your shop busy?

I want to go in and see her, but I have to be here for this. Then I have work to catch up on from yesterday.

“I have to take this call,” Lyle says, stepping away from me and giving me a few minutes to enjoy my girl.

Angel: It’s Saturday, so we’re busy. I hope the interviews on Monday go well because I’d like to start being open on Sunday as well. Holy shit, now flowers are being delivered?

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