Page 31 of Before the Night Falls
He opened the bottom drawer of his desk and pulled out a framed photograph. His grandmother stood in front of the old school, surrounded by smiling children. Her silver hair was pulled back in a traditional bun, and the lines around her eyes spoke of decades of laughter and determination.
“I won’t let you down, Grandmother,” he whispered to the photo.
The phone call from the contractor today had been a hard blow. The costs kept rising, and time was running short. The tribal council had been generous with extensions, but they were facing pressure too.
If he missed this deadline, the whole project could be permanently shelved.
Claire hadn’t understood his obsession with the project. She’d tried initially. Had even visited the reservation with him a few times. But eventually, his constant work, the fundraising events, the speaking tours—they’d taken their toll.
“It’s always the school first, then your fitness empire, then maybe me if there’s time left over,” she’d said the night she walked out. “I can’t be an afterthought in your life, Tyson.”
He couldn’t blame her. Claire deserved someone who could put her first. Everyone did.
Including Olivia.
Not that she was interested in him. But Tyson reminded himself of that fact so he could put on brakes before he let his own interest in the woman develop any further.
He rubbed his eyes, exhaustion finally catching up with him. The way Olivia had looked at the blueprints, the genuine interest in her voice when she asked about his grandmother—it had touched something deep inside him.
She wasn’t just being polite. She cared.
That made her all the more dangerous to his carefully ordered life.
He’d felt the chemistry spark between them. In another time, another place, maybe he could explore what was growing between them.
But not now.
Not with the deadline looming.
Falling for Olivia would be selfish. Unfair to her. He couldn’t divide his attention, couldn’t be the partner she deserved. He’d already failed at that once.
Tyson carefully returned the photograph to the drawer.
His eyes drifted to the seat where Olivia had sat. For a brief moment, he allowed himself to imagine a different life—one where he could follow his heart without betraying his promises.
But that wasn’t the life he had. He had obligations, commitments. His personal desires had to come second.
Even if that meant continuing to keep Olivia at arm’s distance.
With a deep sigh, Tyson turned back to the spreadsheets. The numbers weren’t going to solve themselves.
And neither would the growing conflict in his heart.
CHAPTERFIFTEEN
Tyson stretchedas he stood from his desk the next day. He split his time between his home office and his space downtown.
He preferred to work at home, however.
Since doing his morning workout, he’d been on the phone trying to work out a marketing issue with his fitness equipment company.
His stomach grumbled, reminding him it was time for lunch.
Walking from his office, he passed the living room and spotted Olivia. He glanced at her, curious as to what she was up to.
Yesterday had shaken her up. He still wanted to know what was on that flyer.
But she hadn’t wanted to talk about it, and he hadn’t wanted to push. If she wanted to tell him, she would.
