A stack of newspapers, magazines, and lists of websites sat on his desk beckoning to him in a sweet torture. Everyone had told him to read Phina’s work. Two weeks after the summit, and he still refused. He skipped breakfast with the family because he knew they would discuss it. And then five minutes ago, Lucan had dumped this mess on the center of his desk. The truth of it was, he didn’t care how much groveling she did publicly, she had betrayed him, colluded with terrorists, aided in thousands of dollars’ worth of damage to his salt water facility and risked his summit talks. He went to her award ceremony, made sure she saw him. It was enough.

Thankfully, they salvaged the summit. The press conference afterward was limited to a few presses and those with clearance within their organizations only. Lucan’s men were able to round up the ring leaders of the Environs thanks to Phina and they were no longer a risk. The new, agreed-upon regulations for the Mediterranean would save their sea. Every time he thought about it, he breathed out in relief.

Lucan cleared his throat, standing in the doorway of Trane’s office.

“What do you want, brother? I see this pile you left me.”

“I want you to read it.”

Trane pinched the bridge of his nose. “I’m tired of feeling angry. But if I read that, I will either be furious with her or forget all the reasons to be mad.” He shook his head. “I can’t let her back into my life.”

“You don’t have to. But she won multiple International Press Association awards. She will be up for a golden globe. Some are talking Pulitzer Prize, Trane. It’s excellent press for your work here, her words could help bring your methods across the world and change the way oceans are cared for internationally.”

Trane grunted. Then he pulled the article at the top of the stack closer. He could at least read her work. The words jumped out at him and he kept reading.

The sun had long set when he finished the final article. He had searched all the online sites and read the follow up news. He sat on the couch in his office, clutching her best piece to his chest with his head leaned back and eyes closed.

“I didn’t know you’d take to sleeping with it.” Lucan crossed his arms and Tripp stood beside him, an amused quirk of his lip annoying Trane.

Trane stared with one eye open. “Oh good. You’re back. I have ‘happy’ and ‘skeptical’ just the two brothers I was looking for.”

They each took a seat on the large overstuffed chairs.

Tripp laughed. “Happy. I like it. If I’m the happy dwarf, what are you? Pathetic?” When Trane closed his eye and ignored them, Tripp continued. “Well, if you want my opinion…”

“He didn’t ask.” Lucan crossed his ankle over one knee.

“But I can tell he wants it, look at that face.” Tripp considered him for a moment and then said, “It’s obvious she loves you.”

Lucan snorted. “Always has. And she’d be a valuable asset to the Valdez team.”

Trane opened his eyes. “So my two opposing brothers agree.” After reading everything she’d written, he had opened the tiniest sliver of hope. He swallowed. “What if she doesn’t want to try again?”

“What if I do?” Her honey voice filled him and Trane smiled with a chuckle before he turned to see her in the doorway and allowed himself to drink her in. “How long have you been standing there?”

His brothers left the room.

“Lucan let me in.”

“Of course he did. The worst head of security we’ve ever had.”

“I heard that.” His voice carried down the hall.

Trane didn’t dare move, irrationally afraid she might leave or disappear.

“Thanks for coming the other night.” Her voice sounded pinched, like she was holding back a mountain of emotion behind those words.

“I appreciated what you did, your efforts, and everything aside, I was proud of you.” He watched her. She looked simple today. Not the power suit, not the royal designer gown, just the Phina he knew in high school. Her hair sat in a messy ponytail on top of her head, her long t-shirt hung over some tight jeans. Her skin looked clean and natural. This was the Phina he knew and loved. He sat up slowly. And loved.

“We made a difference.”

We. He stood. Her eyes lit with hope. They had a chance. He reached for her hands. When her skin touched his, he pulled her close, wrapped his arms around her, cradling. His lips hovered over her upturned mouth. “Are we ever going to make this work?”

She swallowed, moistened her lips and whispered, “I hope so.”

Her breath tickled his mouth and he waited a moment more before pressing his lips against hers. A part of the hurt and misunderstanding began to heal.