Dirty Working Hero (Hard Working Hero 2)

“You're bad,” I say.

“What? I didn't do anything?”

“Right, you didn't do anything.” I flap my hand at the table and roll my eyes. “Just take your shot already.” Grabbing my beer, I take a long swig. He only has a couple balls left, and I'm sure he's going to make them.

He makes a clean shot on the nine ball, then levels the tip of his cue with the eight ball left on the table. His arm is pin straight, head down, lining up his shot.

I swallow as much of my beer as I can, just waiting for him to finish the game. My heart is racing inside my chest, and I can feel the tears begin to well up behind my eyes. The second he ends the game, we're done.

The answer is plain as day, smacking me in the face. He's ready to walk away. He's willing to just give up and let my father win. I hang my head, looking down at my feet as he takes his shot.

I can't watch.

Hardin throws the cue on the table. “I can't do it,” he says.

My eyes jump up to his. He's staring at me with his arms dangling at his sides. His brows are lifted high, causing his forehead to wrinkle with heavy lines.

“What?”

“I can't do it. I can't lie to myself, Millie.” Hardin takes long, commanding steps forward, stopping toe to toe with me. He captures my face, his eyes looking longingly into mine. “I don't want to run away from you, but I don't want you to lose everything because of me. I'm not rich, I can't give you the world. I spent my life struggling for the little I have. I can't ask you to give up your life for me.”

“You're not asking me to do anything,” I say. I cup my hand over his and lay my cheek in his palm. “I'm choosing this for myself. I don't care about money. Money means nothing if you're not happy. I love you, and that's all I care about. You make me happy, Hardin, just you.”

My eyes dance between his as he licks his lips. “You love me?” he asks, his thumb stroking the curve of my jaw.

“I love you.” I press up on the tips of my toes and kiss him. I want him to hear my words, but I also need him to feel them. “I love you, Hardin,” I say, my voice vibrating across his lips.

He kisses me back as he inhales a deep breath. “I love you too, Millie, but this will be hard,” he says.

I break our kiss, letting my eyes settle on his. “I'll take a million years of struggling with you if I get to feel happy instead of lost. I'm pretty sure someone I know told me the only things worth chasing in life are the hard ones.”

“They are,” he says with a smile. “But they're totally worth it in the end.” He pinches my chin tightly, placing a soft passionate kiss on my lips. “What about your dad? He isn't going to like this at all.”

“He's just going to have to learn to love me or let me go. Because I'm not going to live for him anymore, I want to live for us.”

I thought I knew what the world had decided, and exactly how I was going to get there. My plans were methodically laid out at my feet like steppingstones. Then it all changed with a single moment. A chance encounter that turned into so much more.

I spent my entire life thinking I had it all figured out, and mere seconds to know this man is my destiny.

Life finally feels right.

Epilogue

Hardin

Six Months Later

* * *

“Sooo,” Oliver says, leaning against the wall and folding his arms.

“So what?” I ask, keeping my head down, and my eyes on the wood trim as I sand it smooth.

“You and Millie are getting pretty close. It's been what, six months now?”

I run my hand over the surface, brushing away loose bits of dust. “Are you keeping track of my relationship?” I ask, looking up and cocking a brow. “I mean, cause it's a little weird that you know that.”

Oliver laughs, then nods his head over my shoulder. “No, dumb ass, but the giant flower bouquet in the vase is kind of a giveaway. Who even celebrates a six month anniversary? What are you, sixteen?”

I look over at the flowers I bought for her this morning, and chuckle. “There's nothing wrong with showing her she's special. Maybe you should take some tips from me. Narissa will appreciate it.” Lifting the piece of wood off the table, I flip it over. “I'm taking her out to dinner tonight.”

“Look at you, Mr. Romance.”

“Shut up,” I bark with a laugh.

He holds up his hands, palms out as if he's waving the white flag. “All right, don't get your panties in a bunch. I'm happy for you man, I really am. But don't make me look bad, I don't want this to be a competition.”