Page 117 of Playing It Forward

“Set up a meeting and let me know when.”

There’s a scream in the background.

Knox grunts. “That’s Jade. She’s excited.”

At least someone is.

“Nolan!” Charlie peeks inside the house. “The delivery truck is here.”

“I’ve gotta go.”

“We’ll set up a meeting to discuss the position. Happy to have you on the team, Nolan. You’ll make a great addition.”

He hangs up and I sit with his words for a while. He’s not offering me this position because he feels bad for me. He seriously thinks I’ll do a good job. It feels good.

I stand and make my way to Charlie.

“You accept the job?”

I bark out a laugh. “Were you listening to my conversation?”

He shrugs. “You’re the first man to break through my daughter’s barriers. I need to trust you. I need to know you won’t break her heart.”

“I won’t,” I vow. “She’s the most precious thing in the world to me.”

“That’s all I need to know.” He slaps me on the back. “I hope your shoulder isn’t hurting today because you’re in charge of carrying shit.”

I shake my head as I follow him outside to where the delivery truck is waiting.

My heart is much lighter than when I arrived. Charlie is on my side. I have a new job. I’m buying a house on the island.

I don’t know how I’ll convince Terri I’m staying. That I won’t run away. But I will.

Because I am not letting the woman I love go. I want a family with our little mermaid.

Chapter 38

I should not be confessing my love during a potential fistfight.

Terri

My alarm blares and I bury my head under a pillow. I don’t want to get up. I have no desire to face people after last night.

Smugglers won’t pretend they don’t know what happened. Nope. Smugglers are entirely too nosy. They’ll get all up in my face and ask me the most inappropriate questions.

So, are you broken up broken up or Smuggler's Hideaway broken up?

Do we return the 'Team Terri & Nolan' shirts?

Have you considered throwing something at him?

Does this mean we have to pick sides?

Will the offensive line still riot for you?

At least I can avoid Mayor Lana today. She’d probably want to hold a mermaid-themed second chance festival. The woman does love her festivals. She’d probably name it something like 'Love Finds a Way' or 'Operation Win Back Terri'.

My phone rings and I throw my pillow across the room. I guess I won’t be avoiding the world today after all.