Hadley blinked, surprised. She’d assumed he’d left—but not straight back to Srixby. Then why come at all?

“Here is the thing, Miss Pearson,” Tamara added quickly. “He has a dinner with city officials tonight. He couldn’t cancel.”

Of course.

Hadley understood.

Still… if he had that kind of schedule, why go out of his way and come to Tidebourne at all?

Her phone buzzed. A message from Eric.

“Babe, I’m going back to work. Seeing you today means I’ll sleep well tonight.”

Hadley froze.

So Eric had come all that way—just to see her?

Her heart skipped. A strange warmth stirred in her chest. Read full story at Find★Novel.net

It felt like someone had tossed a pebble into still water—ripples spreading through her, leaving her lightheaded and breathless.

After the event, there was still one last shoot scheduled for the next day—an outdoor poster set.

By the afternoon, the work finally wrapped up.

Back at the hotel, Hadley packed her things, ready to return to Srixby.

“Tamara,” she called, then turned to Chelsey. “You two—don’t tell anyone in Srixby we’re heading back.”

“Why not?” Chelsey seemed confused.

“Got it, Miss Pearson.” Tamara quickly caught on.

As they stepped out to collect the luggage, she whispered to Chelsey, “Isn’t it obvious? Miss Pearson wants to surprise Mr. Scott.”

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“Oh right!” Chelsey grinned and gave a dramatic sigh. “So romantic.”

Meanwhile, back at Scott Group, Eric returned to his office from the conference room.

He pulled at his tie and glanced at Phillips. “Anything else today?”

“Yes,” Phillips quickly handed over the schedule.

Eric skimmed it, then set it aside. “I’ll skip tonight’s dinner. You can go in my place.”

“Understood, Mr. Scott. And you—?”

“I’m heading to Tidebourne,” Eric said, a faint smile playing at his lips. “I’m bringing Hadley home.”

Phillips understood immediately. “I’ll have the driver bring the car around.” Five minutes later, Eric left the building, headed for Tidebourne.

An hour later, Hadley’s car pulled up in front of Scott Group.

Tamara approached the front desk. “Miss Pearson is here. She’ll head straight to the CEO’s office. No need to notify Mr. Scott.”

The receptionist looked flustered. “Mr. Scott has already stepped out.”

“Stepped out?” Tamara frowned. “Where did he go?”

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