When I Say Yes (Necklace Trilogy 3)

I consider that passage and what it says about Tyler. I can definitely feel those words in the encounters I’ve had with both men. Interesting though that his mother left the company when she wants to control her husband. I flip to another random page further back, closer to that ominous final entry and my heart thunders in my chest at the first two words: Dash Black.

Dash Black.

I saw him today for the first time since THAT night.

What can I say? Yes, he’s hot. Yes, he’s talented. Yes, he changed my life. But not in a good way.

He made secrets feel like they needed to stay secrets. He made being humans appear dangerous, not real. He hurt me and I haven’t been in the same room as him for more than about a half-hour of my life. After THAT night, that miserable night, everything changed. I should probably write about it, but it’s hard to even think about. Did Dash mean to hurt me? No. But I still can’t forgive him. I just can’t.

My hand is trembling because even though I’d know what night she’s talking about even if Dash hadn’t told me, I’d think there was more to it. And it’s hard to hear Allison blame Dash for her split with Tyler. Tyler wasn’t able to break up me and Dash. Neither of us let that happen. But Tyler let it happen with Allison.

“I see you’re working late, Ms. Wright.”

My gaze lifts to find Tyler standing in my doorway, one shoulder hitched on the frame. In that moment, I see what it was that Allison saw in Tyler. He’s a beautiful man. His jaw strong, his face handsome, his body fit. His energy is all power and masculinity. And deep in his striking eyes, I can see what I didn’t always see in Tyler. Dash described him as “fucked up.” I’ll just call him a tormented man. And I don’t always like how that torment influences my life and career.

It’s then that I realize the journal is open on my desk, in plain sight, and if anyone would know who it belongs to, it would be Tyler.

“You have something to say to me, Ms. Wright?”

The “Ms. Wright” is what triggers me. I shut the journal, stick it in my drawer and I don’t just stand up. I walk around my desk and stand in front of him. “Allie,” I snap. “My name is Allie. And since you have inserted yourself into my personal life, and I guess to some extent I have yours, we are borderline friends. Therefore, I will say this. You know what your problem is?”

He arches a brow. God, he reminds me of Mark at times. “Why do I know what you’re about to tell me?” he asks dryly.

“You use things like ‘Ms. Wright’ to shut people out when they get too close to you. And don’t tell me that’s just business because we both know it runs deeper than that. For whatever reason, you don’t trust people. Well, you can trust me, but you need to make sure I can trust you. While you try to protect yourself, you don’t always protect those around you. You hurt them. Speaking of which, do something to make-up with Dash. And I’m not going to work for you, ever. If you want me to stay, I’ll stay on as an employee of Riptide only. I hope you can live with that because I want to be here. And—that’s all.”

His lips twitch. “I do believe I didn’t give you credit where credit is due, Allie. You can stay on at Riptide. Goodnight.” He starts to back out of the office.

“Don’t leave,” I order.

He turns back to me, that eyebrow raised. “Yes, Allie?”

“She loved you, Tyler. Really loved you. If you love her—”

“I do,” he shocks me by saying, his voice raw, gravelly. “But it’s too late.”

With that, he leaves, and there’s no calling him back.

CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

When I exit the building, Dash immediately pulls me into his arms, walks me out of the doorway, and kisses me until I’m too hot to feel the cold. “What was that for?” I ask when we come up for air. “You know people follow you with cameras?”

“I don’t give two shits what people do. Just you. I missed you today.”

My lips curve of their own compulsion. “You just saw me a couple hours ago.”

“I know. It’s kind of crazy. I never missed anyone in a couple hours before you, Allie.”

“If you’re trying to sweep me off my feet, Mr. Black, you had me at cupcake.”

He laughs, low and sexy. “Is that right?”

“Yes,” I say and just when I’m about to tell him all my news about my job, Mark, Tyler, and even Queen Compton, we hear, “What are you two doing?”

At the sound of Bella’s voice, we break apart and she grins at us. “I do love you two love birds.” She sighs. “One day maybe I’ll meet someone as wonderful as Dash who is not my brother. For now, you two have to keep me company.”