Page 60 of Entwined Hearts
“No, but Tess always keeps her cards close to her chest.”
He scoffed, unsurprised. “You’re telling me.”
I clasped my hands on my desk. “Someone once told me to focus on work instead of personal issues. Really smart guy.”
The corner of his mouth twitched. “Smart guy, huh?”
“So far. He just offered me a partnership.” I shrugged. “I’d say it’s the smartest thing he’s done since we met.”
He chuckled, running a hand over his jaw. “I’d have to agree.” He looked up at me then. “I want to help with this case with Preston and my grandfather.”
I snorted. “Well, you’re just crossing all kinds of ethical lines today, aren’t you?” I knew as well as he did that he couldn’t officially help with this case, just like he couldn’t be romantically involved with Tess. “You sure I should become your partner?”
“Very sure. Just behind the scenes help. I might have some connections that can help us.”
“Okay, partner,” I said. I turned to my laptop, staring at my inbox and the email from Tim Maddox that I had ignored weeks ago. “I guess I should send in my resignation,” I sighed.
“I’m going to go draft your contract,” he said, standing. He stopped short, resting his hands on the back of the chair he was just in. He smiled. It was hopeful, sincere, genuine. “This is going to be good, Savannah.”
I looked up at him and nodded, hoping he was right.
Later that evening,I was with Wes by the creek while he fished, and I couldn’t hold it in anymore. Not the partnership, or my decision to give him space after Levi’s advice. “I need to tell you something.”
He flung the line out into the water. “Okay.”
“I was talking to Levi, and?—”
He turned to look at me, already exasperated. “Oh God, what have they done now? Is there anothercockedwoodpecker? Something wrong with the goddamn air?”
My head reared back, looking up at him from where I sat on the ground. “What? No. This isn’t about Sterling and Preston. This is about me.”
The rod fell to his side, long forgotten. “Oh.”
I patted the blanket I was sitting on. “Come sit.”
He stared at the blanket like it was a trap. “You’re freaking me out, Sav, what is it?”
“Will you just come sit with me?”
“Not until you tell me what’s going on,” he said, putting his hands on his hips.
“He offered me a job. As a partner, actually.”
His jaw fell open, brows raised. “Are you serious?” I bit back my smile, nodding. He sat down next to me quickly, eyes searching mine urgently. “So you’re staying here? You’re not going back to Dallas?”
I shook my head. “No. There’s nothing there for me anymore.”
“Savannah!” I met the ground with a laugh as he launched himself at me, his arms wrapped around mine. “Oh my God, I can’t believe this.” He pulled back, his face hovering over mine. His eyes were sparkling, his smile bright. Brighter than the sun shining behind him. “Tell me this is real.”
“It’s real, Wes.”
All the air left my lungs from his kiss. It was one of pure excitement and joy that I felt down to the marrow of my bones. I ran my hands up his arms, along the tattoo he got for me, reveling in this moment because I knew it wouldn’t last. “I love you so much,” he whispered against my lips, kissing me again. And again and again.
“I love you, too,” I giggled, licking my lips. “That’s the good news…”
Weston pulled back, his expression instantly changing. “There’s bad news?”
“It’s notbad, so to speak.”
