Page 49 of Believing in You

He narrowed his eyes at her. “Why? Are you turning into Mom and planning to try to fix me up with someone?”

“No way. I can’t stand it when she does it to me. So, you don’t have to worry about me doing it to you.”

After a long hesitation, he said, “Between you and me, I met someone almost a year ago while I was attending a conference. She wasn’t one of the attendees, but she’d been at the hotel bar one night, and we hit it off. Problem is my dating life hasn’t been the same since. I keep comparing everybody to her.”

“Really?Does that mean you foundthe one? And when are we going to meet her?”

“Well, that’s the thing. I don’t know how to get in contact with her. I only hung out with her thatonenight and…”

Nyla gasped playfully, bringing her hand to her mouth as if she were in shock. “Don’t tell me you had a one-night stand,” she whispered.

Harrison rolled his eyes skyward. “Don’t be weird. Despite what you and our sisters think, I’m a grown man.”

Nyla laughed. “If you say so, but what are you going to do about your mystery lady? You’re a cop. Can’t you use your cop skills and hunt her down?”

He shook his head. “I don’t know her last name. Hell, I’m not even sure she gave me her real first name. Besides, the conference was in Vegas. She could live anywhere.”

“Ahhh,” was all Nyla could say, and before she could think of anything encouraging to say, a beautiful woman approached the bar, asking if he wanted to dance.

“Duty calls,” Zion said to Nyla and handed her his empty glass before taking the woman’s hand and leading her to the dance floor.

She had just set the glass on the bar when Harrison’s strong arms wrapped around her. He placed a kiss against her neck before she turned and faced him.

“Hey you,” she said and gave him a quick peck on the lips.

“Hi.” He looped his arm around her shoulders. “It looks like the party is a success. Not that I’m surprised,” he said as they stared out at the crowd.

“I agree, and thanks for all your help. I know I keep saying this…about almost everything lately, but I couldn’t have done this without you.”

He kissed her, and Nyla felt more content than she’d felt in a very long time.

My own business. Wonderful, supportive family. A sexy, smart, loving man. My life is perfect.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Harrison stood in the middle of his new office and glanced around. He’d had a lot of changes in his life over the last few months, and he was embracing every single one. Change was good. That wasn’t always how he felt, especially during the times he’d wanted to stay in the shadows, keep his head down, and pretend his life wasn’t as bad as it seemed.

Those days were over. He was looking forward to his new role at Telecom. Looking forward to his life with Nyla, and he was looking forward to his future.

“Well, I guess it’s official. You’re the big boss now,” Royce said from behind him, and Harrison turned toward the door.

He owed this man so much. Royce had almost single-handedly saved his life in almost every way possible. How was he ever going to be able to thank the guy? The wordsthank youdidn’t seem to be enough to express how much he appreciated him.

Royce lifted his hands and shook his head. “I know that look. Before you start thanking me for something, save it.” He moved farther into the office and closed the door. “Even though my brothers helped get this business off the ground, you’ve been my right-hand man since then. There’s no way we could’ve turnedthis into a million-dollar company without your help. You’re like a brother to me. You don’t owe me anything, in case that’s what you were thinking.”

Harrison chuckled and rubbed the back of his neck. “I forget how well you know me.” He and Royce shook hands and pulled each other in for a man hug, back pounding and all. “I feel the same about you. I know you don’t want to hear it, and I promise this will be the last time, but thank you for standing by me all those years ago. You’ll never understand how much it meant to have you believe in me. Someone to stand for me when I couldn’t stand for myself. I appreciate you man.”

Harrison gave him another hug before stepping back.

“Like my grandfather often says, just pay it forward. None of us can survive in this world alone, and occasionally we all need a helping hand. Just be there for the next person who might need someone to support them in their darkest days.”

Harrison nodded.

“I will, and your grandfather sounds like a wise man.”

“He’s the best man I know. You’ll have to come to Cincinnati for a visit, and I’ll introduce you to the great Steven Jenkins,” he said with pride.

“I’ll do that, and I’ll make sure I’m there on a Sunday so I can get in on your grandmother’s Sunday brunch.”

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