Page 106 of A Slice of Summer
Not with his family—his parents and siblings.
Not with Taryn.
Money and prestige had become everything to him. Yes, he put his work first. And so did Taryn. They both had been doing the same thing. Perhaps that was why her mom and dad had been so worried about her. They hadn’t wanted her to miss out on living life to the fullest because of working too much. Yet, she hadn’t jumped at her dream the way he would have expected. She’d taken the time to call him—to ask him—to say she loved him.
And Garrett had the feeling if he hadn’t joked about her getting on a plane and asked seriously instead, she might have done that. But why should she give up her dream when he could help the firm and be with her?
And he knew why.
His insides deflated.
Garrett was trying to prove himself. Years later, that mistake as an intern followed him, clinging to him like a leech he couldn’t shake. Yet he’d made up for it in so many ways, with so many cases, but he hadn’t been able to see it.
Not until today.
And he knew what he had to do. “I won’t be sitting in on this case.”
Jed’s shoulders sagged. “I want you as lead.”
“I’ll be second.” Garrett always gave a hundred and ten percent to his clients. But he didn’t want to be that guy any longer. His heart wasn’t in it. His heart belonged elsewhere—in Silver Falls with Taryn. “You’ve been working with Jenn. She’s who you need.”
“You’re the best.”
“I am, but I won’t be the best for you right now.” Garrett pictured Taryn. Warmth flowed through him. “I have other priorities.”
*
Garrett returned toSilver Falls like a thief in the night, parking his rental car down the street from Margot’s house. That way no one—okay, Taryn—noticed it there. He paced the length of Margot’s entryway with Angus and Sadie at his heels, their little paws happily following him. Air-conditioning kept the temperature cool but sweat beaded at his hairline.
Not nerves.
Anticipation.
Excitement.
Taryn was the actual thief, the one who’d stolen his heart.
The funny thing?
He didn’t want it returned. Garrett would happily allow her to keep it.
Wasn’t that why he was here?
The evidence was overwhelmingly clear.
Garrett wanted to be with her. Period.
The one person he trusted to help him get this right was unavailable. And that…
Sucked.
Not interrupting Callie on her honeymoon had taken strength he didn’t know he possessed. But he’d done it. That left Margot to be his sounding board. She’d helped him refine each idea until he had a plan in place to ensure Taryn’s and his future happiness.
“I can’t wait to see her reaction.”
Angus barked.
Garrett would take that as a sign of support. “Thanks, little buddy.”
