A Deeper Love: Year One (Suamalie Islands Book 9) by Heidi Gray McGill

Author:Heidi Gray McGill [McGill, Heidi Gray]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Celebrate Lit Publishing
Published: 2023-10-30T00:00:00+00:00

16

Daniel

Harrison’s arms are crossed. They rise and lower with each breath as I review the documents before me.

“Looks like you did everything exactly as I requested. I’m sorry…” I do not finish my statement as Harrison’s palm lifts toward me even as his expression and face lower.

“No worries, and no explanation needed. I knew what I was getting into when I accepted this position. I may be smart, but I’m not blood.”

Harrison’s gaze skims the blue lines in his wrist before his hand drops to his side, then searches for his phone. My heart aches knowing he is as close as a brother, spiritually, and as a friend.

“Besides, now that you’re back, I can focus on my other projects.” Harrison’s thumb glides up over the screen before pausing. “Speaking of which, I’ve got a meeting in ten. If we’re done here…?”

“Absolutely. Thanks for keeping all the plates spinning while I was away.”

“Always there for you. Always will be.” Harrison nods once, his jaw tightening as if he wants to say something.

I nod and offer my hand, hoping he knows taking this deal out of his was not my idea. “Yes, you have. Sorry I wasn’t able to convince my dad to let you see this one to the end.”

He releases my hand, shoves his phone in his back pocket, and roughly grabs the stack of papers from my office desk. His movements are stiff as he walks out. A lesser man would sulk. Not Harrison. Even though my father has pulled the job that would have helped my childhood buddy move up in the company, he holds his head high. He’s a valuable employee and irreplaceable friend.

“Hey,” I add a little too loudly. Harrison turns and has to readjust the papers before they fall. “I don’t have a single thing in my fridge that’s edible. Care to grab a bite this evening?” He hesitates briefly, and I see the flicker of light returning, letting me know he wants to leave business behind and focus on our friendship as much as I do.

“Yeah. Sure. Seven?”

My finger runs over my planner. The big red line running down the page with the word vacation scrawled in the center makes me wonder if I’ll be able to swallow food. “Seven works.” I tap the blank page.

“The usual?” he asks.

I smile. It’s like those scrapes we’d get into as kids then made up, never remembering what we started fighting about. “I’ll bring the steaks.”

His lopsided smile is genuine, and I see the tension release as he exits, only to feel mine increase. Steaks. The memory of TuTu’s laughter and the sheen of tears in Alicia’s eyes taunt me. If I’d had the choice, I would have stayed. Forever, if she’d let me. But my father has made it perfectly clear. My life is not my own. It’s better to not pursue Alicia, because the only thing that will come from it is heartache.

“Mr. McMaster, sir?” The quiet voice does not match the petite but overly endowed woman before me.

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