Page 68 of Don’t Go Breaking My Heart

“I hate to ask, but we need you back in Miami. Just for three days,” he said, holding up a hand like it might soften the blow. “I know it’s an inconvenience, especially with everything going on in your personal life. I want to be respectful, but this is serious.”

“Three days,” I repeated, staring blankly at the screen. “Ron, I just⁠—”

“We’ll cover all the travel costs,” he interrupted, rushing to sweeten the deal. “First-class, if you want. You’ll be compensated generously. But you’re the only one who can fix this. You’ve built a rapport with their team that no one else has.”

I nervously tapped my fingers on the table, feeling overwhelmed. Miami. Three days. Leaving everything—leaving Kannon. The thought made my stomach twist. “Ron, I don’t think—there’s someone here I can’t leave behind. It’s, well, it’s hard to explain but it’s important.”

His brows lifted, and for a split second, I swore he looked amused. “Then bring them with you,” he offered. “We’ll cover his flight, too.”

I blinked at him. “Seriously?”

“Seriously.” He leaned back in his chair, arms crossed. “You’re worth it, Merritt.”

I wasn’t going to ask how he knew it was a man. I didn’t think Kannon would have any interest in going to Miami, but just in case.

“Fine,” I said, not trying to hide my reluctance. “I’ll be there.”

“Thank you, Merritt. We’ll see you soon.”

By the time we ended the call, my head was spinning. The idea of going back to Miami, even for just a few days, felt like stepping back into another life—one I wasn’t sure fit me anymore. I had only been in Dallas a couple of weeks but I felt different. I felt more like me. The old me. The real me.

I finished up some work. At least, I tried. My head wasn’t into it. I kept trying to figure out how I would pose the question to Kannon. Was it weird? Would he think I was trying too hard?

I packed up my things and decided to get back early in the hopes I could catch him before he left for the day.

On my way home, I called Lucia and Dominique on a three-way call. It was always easier to talk to both of them than try to repeat the same thing or to ask one of them to tell the other. Inevitably, one would get hurt feelings that I didn’t call them directly.

“Merritt!” Dominique shrieked. “Tell me you’re coming home.”

“Actually, yes, I am,” I said. “But only for three days.”

“That’s three whole days we get to see you,” Lucia added. “And, let’s be honest, I’ve missed you more than Dominique has.”

“As if,” Dominique shot back. “Well, she missed you so much she cried over that stupid candle you left behind.”

“It smelled like her!” Lucia argued.

“Anyway,” I cut in before they could really get going, “I’m thinking about asking Kannon to come with me.”

Dead silence.

“Wait, what?” Lucia finally asked. “Kannon?”

“The guy you’ve been pining over since middle school,” Dominique said, laughing.

“She’s done a lot more than just pine for him,” Lucia said. “Does this mean he’s no longer a meanie?”

“No.”

“Spill,” Dominique said. “What the hell have I missed? You’re bringing him to Miami with you, which means there is something going on.”

“I didn’t say I was bringing him with me,” I corrected. “I said I am going to ask him to come with me. At least, I was thinking about it, but I wanted your opinions.”

“We can’t give you an opinion until you explain how you went from thinking the guy was an asshole to inviting him home,” Lucia said. “Start talking, young lady. I know you two fooled around and he got mad when you started asking questions behind his back.”

“Did I miss a phone call?” Dominique asked. “Have you bitches been holding out on me? You fooled around with him?”

“And then we hooked up again,” I admitted, heat rising in my cheeks despite the privacy of my car.