Chapter 9
CHAPTER NINE
WILLY
I wake to the sound of waves crashing and the warmth of Brogan’s body pressed against mine. For a moment, I keep my eyes closed, savoring the feeling of his strong arms around me, the steady rise and fall of his chest against my back.
Last night rushes back to me in a flood of memories—our dance on the beach, the intensity in Brogan’s eyes, the way his lips felt on mine. My cheeks flush as I remember the intimacy that followed, the tenderness in his touch, and the ferocity of his lovemaking.
My stomach clenches as I realize that last night wasn’t a dream at all. It was real. It happened.
Brogan’s still asleep, his face peaceful and unguarded. I’ve never seen him look so vulnerable before. It makes my heart ache in a way I’m not prepared for.
This is dangerous, I think to myself. I can’t let myself fall for him. We’re from different worlds .
But as I lie here, listening to his steady breathing, I can’t deny the connection between us. It’s more than just physical attraction. There’s a depth to it that scares me.
I gently extricate myself from Brogan’s arms, careful not to wake him. Standing by the bed, I take a moment to look at him. He looks so different from the arrogant boy who used to tease me mercilessly. When did he become this man who makes my heart race with just a look?
The sudden vibration of my phone startles me out of my reverie. I quickly grab it and slip out of the room, heading downstairs and out onto the deck.
“Hello?” I answer in a whisper, glancing at the clock. It’s nine in the morning, late by work standards.
“Willy? It’s Bryce Holden.”
I straighten up, instantly alert. “Mr. Holden, good morning. Is everything okay?”
“More than okay, Willy. I’ve got some news for you.” There’s excitement in his voice that makes my pulse quicken. “First off, your client, Mrs. Hollister is over the moon about the renovation. She’s been raving about your work to everyone who’ll listen.”
A small smile tugs at my lips. “That’s great to hear.”
“It is. But that’s not why I’m calling.” There’s a pause, and I can almost hear him grinning through the phone. “How would you like to lead the Stanton renovation in Washington State?”
My heart skips a beat. “Lead? As in...?”
“As in, you’d be in charge of the entire project. It’s a big step up, Willy.”
I sink down onto a nearby chair, my mind reeling. “ Wow, I... that’s incredible, Bryce. But isn’t Jessica handling that project?”
“Family emergency. She had to bow out last minute. We need someone to take over ASAP.”
“How soon is ASAP?” I ask, a knot forming in my stomach.
“You’d need to fly back to New York today. Get briefed on the project, then head to Washington in two days.”
“Today?” I echo, my voice barely above a whisper. Images of Brogan, of last night, flash through my mind.
Bryce must sense my hesitation. “I know it’s sudden, Willy. But this is a huge opportunity. The kind that doesn’t come around often.”
I close my eyes, taking a deep breath. “I don’t know, Bryce. I mean, I just finished up here and–”
“Willy,” he cuts me off, his tone gentle but firm. “You’ve been working toward this for years. You’re ready for this. I wouldn’t be offering if I didn’t think you could handle it.”
I’m quiet for a long moment, my thoughts a jumbled mess. On one hand, this is everything I’ve been working for. A chance to prove myself, to take charge of a major project. On the other... there’s Brogan. Whatever this thing is between us, it feels like it’s just beginning.
“Can I have some time to think about it?” I ask, already knowing the answer.
Bryce sighs. “I wish I could give you more time, but we need an answer now. The client is expecting a project lead to be on-site in three days.”
I stand up, pacing the length of the deck. “It’s just so sudden, Bryce. I haven’t even had time to process finishing up here and now you want me to jump into another project across the country?”
“I know it’s a lot, Willy. But think about what this could mean for your career. Leading a project of this scale? It’ll open doors you can’t even imagine right now.”
He’s right, and I know it. This is the kind of opportunity I’ve been dreaming of. But why does it have to come now, just when things with Brogan are...
I shake my head, trying to clear my thoughts. I can’t let personal feelings interfere with my professional goals. I’ve worked too hard, come too far.
I take a deep breath. I'd be a fool to let this opportunity go. “Okay, I’ll do it.”
“That’s my girl!” Bryce’s enthusiasm is palpable. “I’ll have my assistant email you the flight details. We’ll see you in New York this evening.”
As I hang up, I sink back into the chair, my head in my hands.
“Willy?”
I look up to see Brogan standing by the glass doors, his hair mussed from sleep, concern etched on his face.
“Is everything okay?”
I force a smile, but it feels brittle. “Everything’s great. That was my boss. I... I’ve been offered a huge opportunity.”
Brogan’s face lights up. “Willy, that’s amazing! Congratulations!”
“Thank you,” I say, my voice catching. “It’s in Washington State. I have to leave today. ”
The smile fades from his face, replaced by something I can’t quite read. “Today?”
I nod, unable to meet his eyes. “I have to drive back to New York to prep, then fly out to Washington.”
Brogan is quiet for a long moment. When he finally speaks, his voice is soft. “This is what you’ve been working for, isn’t it?”
I nod. “Yes. It’s a huge step up… not that this place wasn’t. But this one’s a full-on project that’s slated to last for a few months and I’d be leading it.”
He smiles, but it doesn’t quite reach his eyes. “Then you have to do it. This is your chance.”
I step closer to him, my heart pounding. This is the expiration date I’d been thinking about, not the charade but the real thing. “Brogan, I...”
He pulls me into his arms, cutting off my words. “I’m proud of you, Willy. You deserve this. Come here.”
As he pulls me to him, I bury my face in his chest, inhaling his familiar scent. I can’t help but wonder if I’m making the right choice. Being with Brogan felt so right, so natural. But I also know, deep down, that I can’t pass up this opportunity. No matter how much it hurts to walk away from whatever this is between us.
“Thank you,” I whisper against his skin.
Brogan holds me tighter, and for a moment, I let myself imagine a world where I could have my dream career and this man who’s unexpectedly stolen my heart. But as the waves crash against the shore, I know I have to choose.
And my choice has already been made.
I grip the steering wheel tightly, my knuckles turning white as I force myself to keep driving. In the rearview mirror, Brogan’s figure grows smaller and smaller. The lump in my throat threatens to choke me.
Before I realize it, I’m pulling up in front of Crystal’s shop. I need to at least say goodbye to my best friend.
The bell above the door chimes as I enter. Crystal looks up, her smile fading as she takes in my expression.
“Willy? What’s wrong?”
I open my mouth to speak, but no words come out. Instead, I burst into tears.
Crystal rushes around the counter, enveloping me in a hug. “Oh, honey. What happened?”
Between sobs, I manage to explain about the job offer, about leaving Love Beach, about Brogan.
Crystal leads me to the small sofa in the back of the shop, sitting beside me. “Wow, that’s... a lot. But Willy, this is amazing news! Leading a major renovation project? That’s huge! Isn’t that what you’ve been working toward all this time?”
I nod, wiping my eyes. “I know. It’s everything I’ve been working for.”
“But?” Crystal prompts gently.
“But...” I take a shaky breath. “I didn’t expect to feel like this about leaving.”
Crystal’s eyes soften with understanding. “You mean you didn’t expect to feel like this about Brogan.”
I nod, unable to meet her gaze as she takes my hands in hers.
“Oh, Willy. I’ve known you for years, and I’ve never seen you like this about a guy before.”
I pull my hands away, shaking my head. “It doesn’t matter. What Brogan and I had... it was just a fling. Nothing more.”
“A fling?” Crystal’s eyebrows shoot up. “I saw the way you two looked at each other, and believe me, that wasn’t just a fling.”
I stand up, pacing the small space. “It has to be, Crystal. We’re from different worlds. It would never work.”
“Says who?” Crystal challenges.
I whirl around to face her. “Says reality! He’s Brogan Hollister, for crying out loud. And I’m... I’m just me.”
Crystal’s face softens. “Willy, you’re not ‘just’ anything. You’re amazing. And from what I saw, Brogan thinks so too.”
I feel tears pricking at my eyes again. “It doesn’t matter what he thinks. I have this job now. It’s everything I’ve been working for. Leading my own project? That’s huge.”
“It is,” Crystal agrees. “But why does it have to be one or the other?”
I shake my head. “Because I need to focus. This job, it’s my chance to finally prove myself. To show everyone what I can do. I can’t be distracted by... by feelings that will fade anyway.”
Crystal stands up, placing her hands on my shoulders. “You’re saying all the right things, Wilhelmina Genaro, but your heart’s not in it. I can see it in your eyes. This is tearing you apart.”
I feel my composure cracking. “I... I have to go, Crystal. I have to do this job. It’s my chance.”
She pulls me into a hug. “I know, sweetie. And I’m so proud of you. But just... don’t close your heart off completely, okay? You deserve to be happy, in your career and in love.”
I bury my face in her shoulder, allowing myself one moment of vulnerability. “I’m scared,” I whisper.
“Of what?”
“Of wanting something I can’t have.”
Crystal pulls back, cupping my face in her hands. “The only thing you can’t have is what you don’t allow yourself to want.”
“Is that something from your inventory?”
She shrugs. “As a matter of fact, yes, it is, but doesn’t mean it’s not true.”
“True or not, I have to do what’s best for me,” I say, even if the only thing I want to do is rush back to the beach house and back into Brogan’s arms. I take a shaky breath, stepping back. “I should go. I have a long drive ahead of me.”
Crystal nods, her eyes shining with unshed tears. “Call me when you get home, okay? And Willy…?”
I pause at the door, looking back.
“Just... be open to possibilities, alright?” she says. “Don’t close your heart to love. Even if it happens to be Brogan Hollister.”
As I walk back to my car, Crystal’s words echo in my mind. Don’t close your heart to love. But as I start the engine, I push those thoughts away.
I have a job to do, a chance to prove myself. That’s what I need to focus on now.
Everything else... well, it’ll just have to wait. Even love.