When heart collides
kitchen window, casting a warm glow across the pale blue walls and the mess Alicia Hayes had yet to clean up. Empty cereal bowls cluttere
that had settled behind her eyes since last night. An
eer into her voice. She didn't need her little brother worrying
back, his voice muffled from behind
ing at her lips. "Watch it, kid," she warn
days, it drove her insane. On other days, like today, it was the on
AM. If he didn't get moving
big. His dark hair was a mess, sticking out in every direction, but somehow it still worked for him. He gr
e is gonna get you in trouble,"
g a bite out of the apple, "you'
ve to worry, Noah. Someone has to make sure yo
said, placing a dramat
, but Noah was the reason she kept pushing forward. After their parents died, it had be
, right?" she asked, lift
ther," h
to punch Chase Whitm
r her to notice. "Depends. If
You're on thin ice with the scho
e dropped onto one of the kitchen stoo
ted. "I care about you not throwing awa
ulders slumping
url behind her ear. "But you're better than that. And besides, I can't ha
he humour fading. "I
o the top of his head. "And hey, don't be t
er of affection in his voice as he
door, her heart swelling wi
she called out as
flashing her a
d the silence settled in
-
allowed herself to enjoy the quiet. No teasing little brother. No buzzing phone.
ned her emails. Nothing but overdue bills and rejection clients backing out, proj
er landlord. A knot twisted in her stomach. If she did
e her, shattering the
before answe
a smooth, fema
eak
executive assistant to
halfway to her lips.
n project," Evelyn continued. "Mr. Blackwood is inte
ion. Blackwood Enterprises was a multi-billion-dollar empire with its fingers in everything from
art thudding in her chest
ck-in with me w
before Alicia cou
er hands trembling slight
here Noah had just left. Maybe just
-
terprises, heart pounding against her ribs. Her navy blue blazer hugged he
this. She h
lastered on a polite smile. "I'm here for a
the private elevator to the thirty-seve
levator.
open. She stepped into a minimalist office space bathed in sunli
aid, offering a brief smile. "
er shoulders as she followed Evel
as when sh
der Bl
lack suit. His presence filled the room with broad shoulders, chiselled jawli
breath
ad expected, i