Because she didn’t just love him—she consumed him. Knew exactly when to dominate and when to yield, when to break him and when to put him back together. She made him feel safe enough to surrender, strong enough to submit. And in return, he gave her everything he was, trusting she would guard his soul as fiercely as she’d claimed his body.
He pressed a kiss to Harriet’s forehead, breathing in the scent of her. “I’m not going anywhere,” he whispered, more to himself than to her. “I promise.”
Harriet stirred, looking up at him with sleepy eyes. “Hmm?”
Gale smiled, running his fingers through her hair. “Nothing. Just thinking about how lucky I am.”
She smiled back, snuggling closer. “We both are.”
He made a silent vow to himself. He would never take this love for granted. He would nurture it, cherish it, work at it every single day. Because what he and Harriet had—it was rare. Special. Worth fighting for.
Harriet stirred again, her eyes fluttering open to meet his. “You’re thinking too loud,” she murmured, a sleepy smile on her face.
Gale chuckled, pressing a kiss to her forehead. “Sorry. Just appreciating the view.”
She propped herself up on one elbow, her hair a glorious mess around her face. “Oh, really? And what exactly are you appreciating?”
He grinned, rolling them over so that he hovered above her. “Oh, you know. Just the most beautiful, brilliant, amazing woman in the world. No big deal.”
Harriet laughed, the sound music to his ears. “Flattery will get you everywhere, Mr. Knight.”
As Gale leaned down to capture her lips in a kiss, he marveled again at how right this felt. How perfectly they fit together.E.M.M.A. had been right. They were a perfect match—not because they were the same, but because their differences complemented each other so beautifully.
As they finally dragged themselves out of bed to face the day and the promise of Harriet’s banana pancakes, Gale caught sight of the repaired vase in the living room. Each piece, once broken and discarded, now part of something beautiful and new. Just like them.
He smiled to himself, feeling a surge of gratitude for everything that had led him to this moment. For the ups and downs, the victories and setbacks, that had shaped him into the man he was today. For the love of his family, the support of his team, and most of all, for the incredible woman who had chosen to share her life with him.
He might be his father’s son, but he was not his father. He was a man who had found his home, his purpose, his better half. And with Harriet by his side, he was ready for whatever the future held.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
The gleaming glass and steel of the high-rise office building towers above me as I walk up the concrete stairs. I smooth down my navy blazer for the hundredth time, my fingers trembling slightly as I adjust the lapels. As I walk through the revolving doors into the air-conditioned lobby, the sudden chill raises goosebumps on my skin.
The elevator ride to the thirty-second floor feels interminable, and I focus on deep breaths, trying to center myself. This is my moment. E.M.M.A.’s moment.
The conference room at Renard Investments is all sweeping views of Austin and the surrounding hills. I’m about to step into the gladiatorial ring armed with nothing but my PowerPoint presentation and a prayer.
The door swings open with a soft whoosh, and my heart leaps into my throat. This is it. The moment of truth. The culmination of years of hard work, sleepless nights, and more protein shakes than any human should reasonably consume.
My ex’s new girlfriend, Colette Renard, enters alone, all legs, stick-straight waterfall of blond hair, and an aura of effortless tennis player athleticism that makes me suddenly aware of every muscle I’ve neglected in my quest to build E.M.M.A. The scent of an expensive, subtle perfume wafts through the room.
“Ms. Renard.” I step forward, extending my hand and hoping it isn’t visibly shaking. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Colette’s handshake is firm, her smile genuine. Her eyes, a striking shade of green, seem to look right through me. “The pleasure’s all mine, Harriet. I’ve been looking forward to this presentation since I first read about E.M.M.A. inSports Tech Innovator Monthly.”
I blink, momentarily thrown. The idea that this successful, polished businesswoman has read about my work sends a thrill of pride through me. “Th-thank you.”
“Of course.” Colette laughs, the sound rich and warm, filling the austere conference room. “I make it a point to stay informed about the most promising innovations in the sports tech world. Shall we begin?”
As we settle into our seats—ergonomic chairs that probably cost more than my first car—I launch into my deck.
“Today, I’m here to introduce you to E.M.M.A., or the Empirical Machine for Maximizing Athletics, an AI-powered platform designed to revolutionize the way we approach athlete performance and well-being.”
As I delve into the intricacies of E.M.M.A., I feel the familiar rush of excitement that always comes when I talk about my work. This isn’t just a job for me; it’s a passion, a calling. The nervousness melts away, replaced by the thrill of sharing my vision. And as I speak, I see that same excitement reflected in Colette’s eyes.
“E.M.M.A. uses advanced machine learning algorithms to analyze an athlete’s performance data, biometrics, and environmental factors in real time,” I explain, my hands moving animatedly as I speak. The prototype smartwatch on my wrist catches the light, a tangible reminder of the countless hours poured into this project. “It then provides personalized recommendations fortraining, nutrition, and recovery, all tailored to the individual’s unique physiology and goals.”
The investor leans forward, her gaze intense as she absorbs every word. She asks questions—smart, probing questions that show she isn’t just listening but truly engaging with the material. Each query sends a mix of adrenaline and satisfaction coursing through my veins.
