Page 20 of The Twisted Beats

I glance around the room and pull up all the memories I’ve made with her here in this house. Even though this isn’t my primary home, we spend most of our time here. We’ve had a magical time together.

Paris made it all possible. A warm sensation settles in my heart. If nothing more, we’ll always have Paris.

I stand. “Give me a minute to get those documents.”

“I’ll be right here, staring out the back window. The view of the ocean is beautiful today.”

“So is my view.” I stare down at her with a mass forming in my throat.

She peers up at me. Her sad gaze connects with mine. We take a moment of silence, sending messages to one another. Neither of us wants me to go, but it will inevitably happen.

I break our connection. “While I’m getting those papers together, think about if there’s anything you want me to review with you.”

I leave the room, go down the hall, and go to the office. I stack the addendums together, slip in a document she knows nothing about, and mark where she’ll need to sign.

When I return, she’s standing at the window with her back toward me. Her arms are around her waist.

I clear my throat. “Here they are. Do you want to sign them or have me review them?”

She turns and strolls back to the table. “Just show me where you need my signature. I trust you. Besides, you’re a savvy venture capitalist. I doubt you have any interest in my business.”

“That’s where you’re wrong.” I flip to the first set of papers and point to where she needs to sign with a pen. “I’m very interested in your career, but I have no desire to have any ownership in your companies.”

She takes the pen and signs the contracts. “Out of curiosity, if I needed your money, would you find my brand something you would invest in?”

“Absolutely.” I continue to point out wherever her signature is needed.

She works her way through until everything is prepared as required. “Is that all?”

I pick up the stack. “It is. I’ll have these dropped off at my office and my assistant will make sure they get filed. Once they are, she’ll send you copies for your records.”

“You’ve thought of everything.” She glances at a clock on the wall and then back at me. “So what time are you leaving?”

“My car is waiting for me outside.”

“Oh, that soon.”

“I’m afraid so.” My throat burns with heavy emotion.

She takes the papers from my hands, places them down, and slides her palms into mine. “Jax, I… I want you to…”

“What?”

“I… I hope you know that I…”

Is she trying to tell me she loves me? If so, it will change the entire situation.

“Go on, Livianna. Anything you want to share, please do.”

She squeezes my hands, stares down, and takes a deep breath. It seems like I’m waiting for hours by the time she raises her gaze to mine.

She has tears in her eyes. “I hope you don’t forget me or all we have.”

“Mon trésor, I could never forget you.”

“Good.” She flings her arms around me and holds me tighter than ever. “Now go before I break down completely and chain you up so you can’t leave.”

I take a minute to rock her in my arms, taking one last breath of her spicy yet warm perfume. When she launched Lehlani Rose Designs, she changed it from her flowers and powder scent, saying she’s matured and wants to move forward as an adult, not some soft child.