2

Charleigh took a deep breath before stepping out of the Inn where she’d be staying for a few days. This was her only chance to prove to herself and her brother that she belonged in this industry. 

Tripp might have tricked her to be in this town, knowing that she wouldn’t say no to the promotion and that her job was also at stake here if she screwed this up. 

She thought it would be best for her to learn to stand on her own without her brother by her side or being labeled as Tripp Wrylee’s sister.

Meeting her ex didn’t even make her feel edgy. Why would it? The only thing that mattered to her right now was how to impress the mayor—not her ex.

She wished Kayden was just throwing his cosmic punchline joke that day. How could she forget how Dax Easton broke her heart in front of the most romantic landscape he designed? Instead of proposing to her, he did to another woman. 

It was still fresh to her, and she only cried for days until she realized he didn’t deserve her tears.

The air was not too heavy with the fresh aroma of baked goods and the scent of fall. Charleigh should have taken her yoga mat with her, but she thought familiarizing the place would be a good idea. 

As she marched toward the sidewalk, she noticed a flower shop with a closed sign on the glass door, then a cake shop beside it, named Clarity in a chiffon pink color. That explained the smell that made her crave a good taste of freshly brewed coffee. She could even taste it better than Starbucks.

She felt something twisted at the pit of her stomach because that old building was going to be torn down, but in her mind, it was nothing personal. She was just doing her job and would get her promotion if the project would go smoothly as planned. She was sure they were going to have new places for the local businesses when the construction started.

Charleigh found a playground with colorful benches, swings, slides, a tube maze, and monkey bars. She stood there for a while, looking at a few people on the benches while the others were walking their pets. 

She always wanted a simple life, a husband, and a small family, but her world and dreams all crumbled down before her when her ex broke her heart. Since then, she focused her life solely on finishing her degree and finally, landing the job she ever dreamed of. 

She yelped in surprise when a soft and furry thing brushed her legs. Her heart leaped to her throat, and her hands flew to her chest. 

When she looked down, it was the whitest dog she’d ever seen, rubbing against her leg. She knelt down, petting the dog. If she was not mistaken, it was an American Eskimo. She ran her fingers to the soft fur, and the dog wagged its tail, darted its tongue out, and lapped her arm.

Charleigh laughed. “You’re so adorable, aren’t you?” 

She always wanted a dog, but she thought of might not be able to take care of it when she spent most of her time on her job. “Who are you, huh?” She couldn’t help but giggle because the dog seemed to know her—as if she already gained its trust.

“Lotus!” A deep male voice called from a distance, which made Charleigh stop petting the sweetest dog she’d ever encountered. 

The strong footsteps approached, and something in the air shifted, making her heartbeat go wild.

“Behave, boy,” the guy commanded. 

Charleigh was still kneeling, unable to move a muscle, when the guy spoke again. “I’m sorry if he bothers you. He’s like that when he feels safe and comfortable around someone. He can sense if he meets a harmless person. Come here now, boy.”

Lotus, the dog kept wagging his tail, tongue darted out as if asking Charleigh to take it up.

“I thought he was so sweet. And he didn’t bother me.” Finally, Charleigh stood up after petting Lotus one more time. When she lifted her gaze to look at the guy in front of him, her eyes widened a little bit. 

Good Lord.

He wasn’t just a guy—he was a man—a man that rendered her speechless. He had the most mesmerizing sky-blue eyes with at least six-foot and a few inches tall. He had the same height as Tripp, but there was no doubt he was more attractive than her brother. She almost snorted, thinking her brother was attractive—well, there were so many girls batting eyelashes at him, but he was also a jerk. 

The man’s eyes squinted at her as if trying to remember or figure something out. 

She always felt confident with her body, either dressed or naked, but the longer they stared at each other, the more she wanted to squirm as if his stare was stripping her off, so damn slow.