Page 44 of My Only

“Aight, boss.” Levi gave me a firm pat on the back, making me chuckle.

“Let me get back to work,” he announced. “‘Cause you’re a cool boss, but I know you don’t play that either.”

“Let me know if you need anything for the next phase of the project,” I told him as he walked out.

As Levi disappeared down the hall, movement in my periphery caught my eye.

Harper.

Stepping out of her office.

Her eyes darted from Levi’s retreating form to me, lingering just a second too long.

Then she smirked—slow and knowing—before slipping back inside.

I stared in that direction for a breath, before blinking myself out of it.

Levi’s words played in my mind as I refocused on my drink.

I stayed in the break room for a bit, drinking my coffee at the bar. Closed my eyes, letting the caffeine do nothing to energize me.

I was tired—beyond fatigued.

And there was no telling if I’d even get the rest I needed tonight.

Because, it’s like I said, I had no idea what I was returning home to.

I stared down at my coffee, my stomach tightening.

An uneasy feeling settled in my gut.

I needed to take the Levi approach with Harper and shut whatever she was up to down.

I’d viewed it as innocent for too long.

But after what Ayla told me last night…

I prayed I wasn’t too late.

PART II

THE FRAMEWORK

The structure that holds everything together. The trust and connection that gives love its shape…

CHAPTER 6

THEN – EARLY AUTUMN 2021… TWO YEARS EARLIER

Ayla

“I’m not used to not seeing you for this long,” I whined into the phone, my house slippers sweeping against the floor.

“Well, Favorite Girl,” my Aunt Laurie teased, “that’s your fault for never visiting me in Mexico.”

I snickered, shaking my head as I turned the corner.

I laughed, but her words lingered.

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