Page 151 of My Only

“I don’t think you’ve taken a day off since we started Phase 1. Have you?”

“I haven’t.” I shrugged. “I’ve made time around it, though.”

“That’s not enough.” Bryant pressed his hand into the table. “I need my principal architect refreshed. I need you looking at blueprints with fresh eyes, not severely tired hazel-green ones that are red-rimmed. While I love the headway we’ve made, I don’t want your home to be the sacrifice, either.”

He scoffed, shaking his head. “And I’m a totally different man telling you that.”

I focused on him.

Bryant leaned back, hands clasped. “Work was my life before Zoe. It was my pulse. This office has an en suite with a shower stall. That sofa behind you?” He pointed, and I glanced over my shoulder. “Doubles as a very comfortable bed. There were nights I didn’t even make it home. That all changed when I met Zoe… quite randomly, I might add.” He laughed. “Hassani, I spent every waking moment in this office. It was practically my home.”

“And Zoe changed that?” I asked.

“In a major way.” His smile softened. “She made me realize I wasn’t actually living.”

“That’s amazing.” I smiled. “Not the not living part. The other part, obviously.”

Bryant chuckled. “I’ve learned that your career is important, but the foundation of any great man is the home he builds. It makes no sense to spend all your time building an empire if you have no one to share it with.”

I nodded slowly, letting his words sink in. “You’re right.”

“To circle back,” he continued, “Harper’s actions haven’t caused any major delays, correct?”

“None,” I assured him. “Despite the setbacks, the project is still on schedule for the launch date.”

Bryant tapped the table. “Then take the rest of today off… and tomorrow too.”

I blinked. “What?”

“Go home. Get your head right. Relax.” He leaned forward. “If you need longer, take a week or two after that. You’ve earned it, Hassani. Seriously.”

Two weeks away from work sounded great.

Ayla and I didn’t take our annual summer trip last year because of the project. We had to settle for a staycation in the city over a weekend. And this year we hadn’t even started planning a trip… because of me.

“Okay.” I nodded. “Let’s start with today and tomorrow off. I’ll see how that goes.”

“Sounds good.” Bryant clapped his hands once. “I’ll have Chelsea send out an email letting the team know you’re out for the rest of today and tomorrow.”

“Thanks, Bryant.”

“No, thank you.” He smiled. “You’re my dream architect.”

I laughed.

“I’m serious, man.” He nodded. “You get the vision in ways no one else could have. You remind me of a dear good friend of mine. Lennox. May he rest.” Bryant inhaled a deep breath. “I say all that to say… I’m looking to have a very, very long partnership with you, Hassani.”

“As am I.” My smile was genuine. “This has been my dream job, and you’ve been my dream partner—despite the nonsense as of late.”

Bryant smirked. “Consider that handled.”

He gestured toward the office door.

“Now go. Enjoy the rest of your day off… and tomorrow.”

After wrapping up my meeting with Bryant, I left the building and got back into my car, hitting the road, but not for home.

An hour later, I pulled off the interstate and made my way past the newly installed village sign.

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