And it did.
Not once over the past few years have I ever felt like something was missing. I get to travel the world. Experience things most people never will. See my vision for abandoned pieces of property come to life.
Now, as I stare at the blueprints my team sent over for the potential development of Holley Ridge, it feels wrong.
Everything has since I drove away from Parker.
“Are those the blueprints?”
I snap my head up as Daniel strolls into my office, his casual attire of jeans and a button-down shirt at odds with my crisp suit and tie. His complexion is darker than it was the last time I saw him, the ends of his brown hair tinged blond. It’s obvious he spent a fair bit of time in the sun while on his honeymoon.
“They are,” I tell him.
“And what’s the status? Do you need me to head out there? Smooth things over with the property owner?”
I push out a breath, unsure how to respond. He assumes I was an unforgivable asshole to Parker.
I guess I kind of was.
I doubt any smoothing over Daniel does will fix this. I knew I shouldn’t have slept with her, not with the property sale at stake. Now, not only do I feel like a shitty human for how I treated her, but I also have nothing to show for it.
“There’s something you should know…”
“Uh oh.” Daniel pushes out an anxious laugh. “This doesn’t sound good. How bad did you screw things up? What kind of damage control am I going to have to do? I told you to be nice. See her as a person and not just someone standing between you and adding several zeroes to your bank account.”
“And I did that. But I think I may have gotten to know her—”
“Excuse me, Mr. Reed,” my assistant interrupts, peeking her head into my office.
I wave her in, and she walks toward my desk, smiling a greeting at Daniel before returning her attention to me.
“This was just delivered by courier.” She places the overnight envelope on the edge of my desk. “Figured you’d want to know right away, considering the return address.”
As I pick it up, my eyes fixate on the familiar address of Holley Ridge in Sycamore Falls, and a pang squeezes my heart. I quickly push it down, my face becoming a mask of indifference.
“Thank you, Dakota.”
“Is that what I hope it is?” Daniel asks once we’re alone.
“I don’t know.” I flip over the envelope, but don’t immediately rip it open. A part of me hopes it isn’t.
Parker was adamant about not signing anything until after Christmas in the hopes of a miracle.
The idea that she’s given up on her miracle hurts more than learning Sadie had been cheating on me with my own brother.
Swallowing hard, I peel back the seal and remove the contents. On the very top of the short stack of papers is a handwritten note. I run my fingers over Parker’s familiar cursive, resisting the urge to bring the paper to my face to see if it carries her scent.
Mr. Reed,
Enclosed, you’ll find a signed acceptance of your offer to buy the parcel of land commonly referred to as Holley Ridge. This will conclude our business relationship. If you need anything further, please direct your inquiries to my attorney. Her business card is attached. She’s authorized to act fully on my behalf.
Sincerely,
Parker Holley
I don’t know what I’d expected. But the curt and professional tone in her letter leaves me unsettled. They’re just words. I receive hundreds of letters such as this every week.
But they may as well be in the shape of a knife for how much they gut me.
