Page 102 of Just The Way You Aren't

There's a brief pause on the other end. "Willow." Just the way he says my name—heavy, serious—tells me something's wrong.

My smile fades. "What is it?"

I hear him exhale slowly. "I'm not going to be able to make the trip today."

The words hit me like a physical blow, but I keep my voice steady. "Oh. Okay. What happened?"

"It's Guardian Productions." He sounds frustrated, and I can picture him pacing in his office, running a hand through his hair the way he does when he's stressed. "A competitor has made an eleventh-hour offer to undercut our deal. Steven just called—his siblings are pushing to consider it. I need to fly to Florida immediately to salvage this."

"I see." I sit on the edge of my bed, absentmindedly stroking Rufus who's wandered over to me, sensing my mood shift.

"I'm sorry, Willow. I know how important this weekend is to you." The genuine regret in his voice helps soothe some of the sting. "I wanted to meet your family. I still do."

"It's okay," I say automatically. "Business emergencies happen."

"This couldn't come at a worse time." I hear papers shuffling in the background. "I'm heading to the airport now. The board feels I need to show Langley's commitment by being there in person."

Of course they do. I swallow against the disappointment rising in my throat. "I understand."

"I can send Heinrich to drive you up," he offers. "He knows the area well."

"No, that's not necessary. I make the drive all the time." The last thing I want is to spend three hours in a car withDamien's driver, my disappointment on full display to a virtual stranger. "I'll be fine."

There's another pause. "I'll make this up to you, I promise."

"I know you will." I force brightness into my voice, not wanting him to hear how deflated I feel. "Go save your deal. My family will still be there another time."

"Thank you for understanding." His relief is palpable. "Call me when you get there safely?"

"Of course."

"Willow, I—" He stops himself, then continues more professionally. "I'll call you tonight if I can."

After we hang up, I sit motionless on my bed, phone still in hand. Rufus butts his head against my arm, demanding attention, and I absently stroke his fur.

A soft knock sounds at my door. "Willow? Everything okay?" Abby asks.

"He's not coming," I say as she enters. "Guardian Productions emergency."

Her face falls. "Oh no. I'm so sorry."

"It's fine." I stand, forcing myself to move. "These things happen."

"Honey," Abby says gently, "it's okay to be disappointed."

"I'm not—" But the sympathetic look on her face breaks through my brave facade. "Okay, I am. I really wanted him to meet everyone."

"I know." She gives me a quick hug. "But there will be other chances."

"Will there, though?" The question slips out before I can stop it. "What if this is just the beginning? What if every time we make plans, something 'more important' comes up?"

Abby sits beside me. "That's the reality of dating someone like him, isn't it? His world has different demands than ours."

I nod, absently petting Rufus who's purring loudly against my leg. "I knew that going in. I just didn't expect to feel this..." I search for the right word. "Replaceable."

"You are not replaceable," Abby says firmly. "From what you've told me, the man is crazy about you. This is business, not personal."

"But that's just it. His business will always come first. Always." I glance at my half-packed bag; at the sundress I'd carefully selected just for him. "Maybe I'm being naive thinking we can make this work."

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