He hands me a steaming cup, more milk than coffee, and with plenty of sugar. I give him a smack on the lips. “Thanks.”
My cell rings, and when I look at the display, I raise my brows. “It’s Kyle.”
“Hmm…” Ethan says. I haven’t heard much from Kyle in the last couple of months, and I miss him.
“Hey, T,” Kyle says when I pick up. “I heard that today is your big presentation.”
“Hey, Kyle. Yes, it is.” It’s my first big project, and today is the day I’m presenting my findings to my boss, Javier Lombardo, and the other managers in the finance department. My job was given back to me after we proved that Justine had tampered with the computer of the lab that reported the test results. Now, I’m a junior analyst at Continental Bank, and I’m loving it so far.
“Good luck,” Kyle says.
“Thanks.”
There’s a short silence, and Kyle says, “You’re probably in a hurry, but…” He hesitates.
“But what? And I’m not in a big hurry. I’ve got plenty of time.”
“Well, I decided to go back to school.”
“Oh yeah? What for?”
“Business.”
I laugh, and Kyle does too. He used to make fun of all my accounting and finance classes. And look at him now.
“Yeah,” he continues. “I’m getting my MBA. I’m going to start classes in the spring.”
“Good for you,” I say, and I mean it. “I guess you took what the moon said to you to heart.”
“Ha-ha.” He is quiet for a moment, then he says seriously, “But, you know, the moon was right. Whatever was going on in my head was right. I need to do something with my life, and I know what I want now. I want to be an entrepreneur.”
Like Ethan, I think. Kyle will be a very different kind of entrepreneur from Ethan. But he has the potential to be very successful—Kyle can charm the pants off anyone.
“Anyway…I just wanted to thank you,” he says.
“I don’t know.” He pauses, and I imagine him shrugging. “Just for being you.”
“Same,” I say quietly.
“Do good today, okay?”
“Okay.”
We hang up, and I turn to Ethan, taking a sip of my coffee. He takes the coffee out of my hands and pulls me onto his lap. He nuzzles my ear as I put my arms around him, and I close my eyes, at peace while at the same time excited for what the future holds in store.
I have the job of my dreams, my best friend and I are tentatively repairing our broken bonds, and I have my Aunt Jo in my corner. Most of all, there’s Ethan, my steadfast supporter and the man I never dreamed I could have. For the first time in my life since my parents died, I am truly happy.
“You’re going to do great today,” Ethan whispers in my ear. “You’re going to kick butt and take names. They’re going to be so impressed.”
I smile into his chest and squeeze him hard.
The best part of all is…I know he’s right.
About the Author
USA Today bestselling author J./Jennifer Haymore is the author of sexy historical and contemporary romance. Her books have been nominated for numerous awards, including five RT Book Reviews Reviewers Choice awards and the prestigious RITA® award for best historical romance.
You can find Jennifer in Southern California trying to talk her husband into yet another trip to England, helping her three children with homework while brainstorming a new five-minute dinner menu, or crouched in a corner of the local bookstore writing her next novel.
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Also by J. Haymore
Now Available - Contemporary
Swept Away
Swept Away, Volume 1
Swept Away, Volume 2
Swept Away, Volume 3
Sugar Cay
The Remix
The Reunion
Standalone Contemporary/New Adult
Never Let Me Go
Now Available - Historical
Highland Knights
A Highlander's Heart
The House of Trent
The Duchess Hunt
The Rogue’s Proposal
The House of Trent Novellas
Devil’s Pearl
His For Christmas
One Night with an Earl
The Donovan Sisters
Confessions of an Improper Bride
Once Upon a Wicked Night (a short story)
Secrets of an Accidental Duchess
Pleasures of a Tempted Lady
The James Series
A Hint of Wicked
A Touch of Scandal
A Season of Seduction