Protecting His Beautiful Lover - Leslie North Page 0,50

and brought her true creativity to the forefront. She scrolled through the posts she’d done with Ashley again, the rainbow-bright colors shining off her laptop screen.

Images of the little girl’s face the day they’d moved out rushed back to Tara’s mind, making her heart ache even more. The tears. The hugs. The promises that they’d stay in touch even if she and Clint weren’t involved anymore.

Tears stung Tara’s eyes and she reached for the phone again without thinking. Dammit. Just because she and Clint weren’t involved anymore didn’t mean she and Ashley couldn’t still do things together. If anything, Ashley needed a kickass female role model in her life more than ever now, right?

Besides, Tara had some new ideas about social media campaigns she’d need the little girl’s help with. She sent off a quick text to Clint’s phone inviting Ashley to come over to her house to help plant a new butterfly garden she’d planned before this whole mess started. It would be good for the earth and good for her too. Fresh air and a fresh start to her friendship with Ashley. After she hit send, Tara stood and smoothed a hand down the front of her paisley print dress. Time to accept that new job. Mr. Harrison was in the office today, wanting to be on hand in case the press reached out for a comment about the legislation, so she would be able to give him her decision in person. She headed for the door, feeling surer of herself than she had in months. She gave Judy a nod as she passed her desk, not exactly a bestie, but they understood each other now. Maybe.

Judy could keep fighting for that E.D. job. Tara knew where she belonged now and felt comfortable in her own skin at last.

Things were good and about to get even better.

New job, new outlook, new future.

20

Clint sat at his desk in the SSoF offices staring at his phone screen for a long time. The text invitation from Tara was a surprise and for a second he thought he might have conjured it from his own imagination—a manifestation of how hard it was for him to forget about her.

Dammit.

He sighed and sat forward, trying to look busy so the guys wouldn’t start asking him questions. The last thing he wanted to do was let them know he was still hung up on a woman he never should have fallen for to begin with.

After shuffling around some papers for a few minutes, he took another peek at the phone and yep. Text still there. God. What the hell was he supposed to do with that? When he and Ashley had packed up and moved back home a few weeks back, it had hurt like hell, but he’d figured that was the end of it. There was no reason for Tara to contact him again. She would move on with her life and he’d move on with his. End of story.

Yet here she was, asking to set up a time for his daughter to come over and hang out at her place. Not him, mind you. Nope. Tara apparently wanted nothing to do with him. But Ashley? Bring it on.

He should be happy, he supposed. He knew that Ashley missed Tara. But still. Why would Tara want to do that? Sure, she’d been nice to the kid when they were staying there, but it wasn’t like Ashley was hers or anything.

Not that being a biological parent made some unbreakable bond with someone. Hell, Ashley’s own mother had proved that point.

“Dude, I’m running out to take care of a couple errands,” Levon called from the door. “Need anything?”

“Nope. I’m good, thanks,” Clint called back, putting the phone down again and glancing around the office. “Where’s Noah?”

“He left a while ago to run back to his place,” Levon said, sending him a funny look. “You didn’t notice?”

“Obviously not.” Clint scrubbed a hand over his face, doing his best to cover his gaffe. “Been trying to get through these financial reports. Guess I got distracted.”

“Uh huh.” Levon narrowed his gaze on him, his tone sounding thoroughly unconvinced. “You okay, buddy?”

“Of course.” He sat forward and clicked on one of the multiple tabs open in the accounting software on his computer. “I’m fine. Why?”

“No reason.” Levon hesitated a second, then shook his head and pushed out the door. “Don’t work too hard while I’m gone.”

“I won’t.” Clint waited until the bells jangled, signifying the door was closed, before he