Page 117 of Most Likely to Fear Love

Cassidy nodded, returning to the report. “Left his successful firm after the death of his best friend, Jackson Miller. Has since dedicated his time to various charitable causes and volunteer work.”

She lowered the papers, her eyes soft on my face as she pressed a kiss to my lips. “I love you.”

“I love you, too. Keep going.”

“Hmm.” She continued reading. “Multiple character references. Oh, there’s even a section about your dogs.” She scratched behind Max’s ears. “Says here you rescued them from an illegal breeding operation.”

“That’s right.”

I leaned back, closing my eyes as Cassidy snuggled closer to me. Her warmth against my side felt like a balm, soothing away the ache of the past weeks without her. The gentle rustle of paper filled the air as she continued reading the report.

“There’s a whole section here about your financials,” Cassidy murmured, her voice a soft hum against my chest.

I chuckled. “Bet that makes for riveting reading.”

“Mmm.” Her voice trailed off, and I felt her shift slightly. “Oh, well, this is interesting.”

“What have you found?”

“You.” She was staring at me now, her mouth hanging open. “It was you…”

I grinned at her.

“The two hundred and fifty thousand dollar donation to the wildlife rehabilitation center was from you.”

“Yeah.”

“But, why?”

“Just didn’t like seeing you stressed. And besides, who doesn’t want to help squirrels and opossums?”

She got a little misty eyed. “Thank you. That means a lot to me.”

“You’re welcome.”

“Now I’m seriously wondering what else I’m going to find in here.”

She turned back to the report, resting her head on my shoulder. The minutes ticked on until finally, “Oh. Fuck.”

There it was.

“Harle.”

“Mmm?”

“This says your net worth is over twenty million dollars.”

“Really? Is that where it’s at these days?”

I chuckled at Cassidy’s reaction. Her eyes were wide, darting between me and the report in her hands. I’d known this moment was coming, but seeing her process it was something else entirely.

“You okay there, darlin’?” I gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze.

She blinked a few times, then shook her head as if to clear it. “I... I don’t even know what to say. How is this possible?”

I shrugged, trying to keep things light. “The investments have all picked up, I guess.”

Cassidy set the report down and turned to face me fully. Her green eyes searched mine, a mix of emotions swirling in their depths. “You. Are. Amazing.”

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