His throat tightened. “Thank you, Duncan. I told myself I had no choice but it was a lie. It was simply easier to do the same crap I always did without question.”
“Want me to make a phone call for you?”
Kane shook his head. “No, this is on me and I’ll handle it face-to-face. And then I’ll need to figure out a way to get Sierra to forgive me.”
Duncan winced. “Yeah, women are harder than any business deal. In my experience, the best thing to do is tell her the truth. Then beg.”
“Good plan.” He rose from the chair and shook his boss’s hand. “It’s an honor to work for you.”
Kane walked out of the office with a new purpose.
He was about to blow it all up, and he’d never been so damn happy.
Chapter Twenty-Three
“Never underestimate the power of a shoe.” – Giuseppe Zanotti
Sierra sat on the velvet sofa, staring into the dark. She’d flipped the sign to Closed at Flirt, and sent Brooklyn and Prim home for an early evening. Traffic was slow, a thunderstorm brewed, and they were all depressed.
The meeting had been brutal. Her employees were a small, tight-knit group that would now be out of work. Though she’d laid out her plan to fight the property sale, they all knew it was simply a delay. She didn’t own the property, or the land. Her lease was technically up. Her lawyer had been clear it would cost her a bundle to file paperwork that would have no effect.
Today, it would be official. Within the month, Flirt would close its doors.
And Kane Masterson had led the charge.
Nausea curled her belly. Would she be able to forgive or get past this awful resentment? Maybe time would heal all wounds.
Maybe not.
A low purr interrupted her thoughts and she sighed, cuddling Montgomery. He pushed his massive head against her, whiskers tickling, and she held him in the dark, in the store that she loved more than anything.
The rain pelted the windows. The scent of lavender candles hung in the air. When she first opened, Sierra would sit here after closing, smiling with pride at what she’d been able to create from nothing. The store had been her true North, guiding her creativity and passion, teaching her hard lessons about business and life, day to day to day.
Eventually, she’d reconnect with her strength. Every closing meant a new beginning. Maybe she would find another location. Maybe she would look outside of Duck and Corolla and these smaller beach towns and go further from the area. She’d have a commute but it may be more cost effective.
Or maybe she’d try to do something online. Pop-up shops were an option. Or gathering her designer contacts and putting together a special Flirt exclusive online.
A tiny spark flared, reminding her she’d weathered too many storms to drown now.
But tonight, Sierra would allow herself to steep in emotion.
Her phone buzzed.
Kane.
She declined the call. Not now. Not when he was fresh from signing the contracts and wanted to rationalize further on all the ways he had no other choice.
Fuck that.
A text flashed. Where r u?
Sierra ignored that, too. She pet Montgomery and allowed the silence and beauty around her to soothe her sick heart. She had no idea how much time had passed when there was a sudden bang from the front door. Oh, God, had she forgot to lock it?
She gently slid Montgomery off her lap and jumped up, squinting in the dark. “We’re closed! You can come back—"
“Tom Hanks was an asshole. And so am I.”
She watched in shock as Kane strode forward with forceful determination. He was soaked, dripping water on the floor as his Armani leather shoes squelched with each step. With his hair plastered to his scalp, three-piece suit hanging loose on his body, and green eyes ablaze, Sierra blinked in astonishment as he finally reached her. “What are you doing?”
