“Just being honest.Anyway, I talked about this with our lawyers.I just got off the phone with them.They think we have a real shot at getting the permit reinstated with this information.”
“Holy shit.”I pinched the bridge of my nose, another tsunami of emotion crashing through me.Today had been emotional as fuck, and I was ready for bed already."All thanks to Clara."
Archer nodded, looking more than pleased."Your wife just saved our asses, Nash.Even after you broke her heart."
“I’m going to make it up to her,” I said.“Even if it takes me years.”
“Might take you longer than that.”
“I’m starting a land trust for the Queens properties,” I said, running a hand through my hair.“Just so we can use the non-profit to fight Cross Developments.I named it after Clara and Mia.”
He tipped his head.“That’s a start, at least.”
I sank into the chair in Archer’s office, struggling to process everything.
One thing was more than clear—Clara had never given up on me.
Now I had to prove to her that I deserved a second chance.
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
CLARA
When Nash Nightingale showed up on my missed calls list, I knew I was in trouble.
All my anger with him evaporated as soon as I listened to his voicemails.And I hated that they could bring a smile to my face.Hated that I moved so quickly from pissed to planning for reconciliation.
No, I did not want to reconcile with this man.
Even though I desperately wanted every inch of him, every hour of every day.
So when the unexpected knock at my door came the next evening, just after I’d gotten Mia down for her post-daycare nap, I knew who it was.
And even though I’d told myself it would be better to stay away, leave the door shut, act like I wasn’t home, I couldn’t stop myself from opening the door.
Nash stood in front of me for the first time in almost a month.Tall, powerful, filling my doorway with a look on his face that I’d never seen before.Anguish, tenderness, and hope all warred for space in his features.Though he looked put together, I saw the small details that betrayed his state of mind.The loosened tie.The faint circles under his eyes.
"Clara."
Just the way he breathed my name made my knees weak.Not a good sign for staying strong.
"What are you doing here?"My voice came out steadier than I felt.
"I need to talk to you."
I wanted to send him away.To be strong and independent.But I couldn’t, not when the mere sight of him satisfied something so deep inside me I didn’t even know where to begin understanding it.But I needed boundaries.I straightened my back, crossing my arms.
I’d look at him, but I wouldn’t let him in.
“Can I come in?”he asked.
“No.”
His gaze dropped, his jaw tightening."Is Mia here?"
"She's napping."
He nodded, his electric gaze sweeping back up to my face.For a moment, we stared at each other.So much emotion passing between us without a single word.
