I slammed my palm flat on the wood countertop, ignoring the pain it sent straight up my arm. I glanced in the mirror behind the bar, not liking what I saw. My frustration was getting the better of me, and so was my drinking and self-pity. I felt robbed, like she had stolen my heart from out of my chest. In a way, she had.

I constantly wrestled with the thoughts in my mind, trying to understand how we got here. I swore I would never let myself get crushed again, but that’s exactly what had happened.

I played with the business card in my hand. I kept flipping it over and debated if I had the balls to go through with it. The blue and black card with the M&H Securities logo stared back at me.

Everything in my life seemed pointless now. Work brought me no joy, and neither did living. I wanted to hate her, but I couldn’t. She didn’t deserve it, but I still loved her just the same.

I looked across the room trying to get my thoughts in order. This was a huge step. The bar was filling up with the after work crowd while I sat and stared into my drink. Everyone was talking about the good times in their lives, except for the couple that was making out by the frosted window. My stomach started to knot up. Would I always feel that sharp pain on the left side of my chest every time I saw a woman with blonde hair?

“You look like shit.” Said a familiar voice behind me. I slanted my head to the side to see Jack Jenson. He sauntered his way over and clasped me on the shoulder.

“How’s it going, Jack?”

He motioned for the bartender. “I’ll have whatever he’s having.” He reached into his wallet and pulled out his credit card as the server went to work with filling up our glasses. Once he was finished, he slid our drinks across the countertop, and picked up Jack’s American Express card. I peeled my eyes away as he typed our order into the register.

Jack rested his arms on the bar. “I’m with a few people from work. I saw you sitting over here looking like someone ran over your puppy. Everything good?”

I spun my tumbler around on the wood countertop. My life was a fucking joke. My girlfriend left me and my job no longer fulfilled me. “Everything is just fucking peachy, Jack. Thanks for asking.”

He arched his eyebrow. “Does this have anything to do with the hottie that I saw you with at Pulse a couple of weeks ago?” He took a sip of drink and set it down. “By the way that was one hell of a show you put on.” He smirked.

“Doesn’t every man’s troubles always have to do with a woman?” I quipped, ignoring his mention of the night that sent my whole world into a tailspin.

He shot me a knowing look. “You got that right, brother. This relationship shit is a lot more work than I thought. Now I know why I stayed single for so long.”

I swung my head to his. “No fucking way. You got yourself a girl?” I asked not believing my ears. Jack never dated. EVER. He was a one and done type guy.

He laughed. “A gentleman never kisses and tells.” He winked.

“Gentleman, my ass. Who is this woman? I want to send her a sympathy card.”

He picked his drink up and slapped me on the shoulder with a little more force than necessary. “No one you know, pal. She’s not even from around here. She lives in the Carolinas.”

I shook my head. “Only you would finally find yourself a woman who doesn’t even live in the same area code as you.”

“What can I say? I’m picky.” I lifted my brows in surprise. Picky was a bit of an understatement. “I hope everything works out for you. Hit me up sometime.” He said, walking away with a big ass grin on his face.

I stood to stretch my legs and stuffed the business card in my wallet. It was time to get this done and over with. New York would always be here but I was thinking a change in scenery would do me good.

Thirty minutes later I was sitting on my couch and staring at my phone. It was getting late, and I’d gone back and forth with the idea long enough. My father’s best friend picked up on the first ring. “Will Hennessey.”

“Will, it’s Brad Morgan.” I leaned forward and rested my arms on my knees.

“Well, this is a pleasant surprise. How the hell are you?”

“I’m doing alright. I’m sorry to bother you so late but...”

He cut me off before I could finish my sentence. “Not a bother. You can call me anytime, Brad.”

I shook my head, remembering all the fond memories I had growing up. Will Hennessey and my father served together in the Marines. Once they retired, they opened up a private security business in D.C. with my father’s inheritance. They specialized with providing security detail to government officials and foreign ambassadors.

When my dad passed away, he left his share of the business to me. The thought of relocating never appealed to me until now. But, between my job and my break-up with Lexi, I found myself re-evaluating my life choices. It was time to make some changes.

I glanced around my apartment. Everything here reminded me of her. I felt hollow inside as I stared at the window with the lights of the city dancing across the room. New York would always be here but it was time for a clean slate.

“I’m ready to come work for you.”

“You would not work for me, Brad. You would work with me. It’s what your father wanted. He believed in you, son… and so do I.”

I sucked in a breath letting his words sink in. It was time to grow up and make my old man proud. “That means a lot, Will.”

Sometimes a little reassurance could go a long way, especially when everything in your life had gone to shit. I needed to get my mind back on track and his words were just the boost I needed. I knew I was giving up a lot, but sometimes when you didn’t like what was on the television, you had to change the station.

“Draw up a business plan and let me know when you’re ready for me in D.C. We’ll work out all the details then. And, Will,” I said before I hung up. “Thank you.”

I slid my phone across the table and stared at the door. I kept replaying our goodbye over and over in my head. Nothing about that day made sense to me. Something in my gut told me that she would have never left me unless she had a damn good reason.

It was time to get my head out of my ass. I wasn’t going to be able to move forward unless I knew she was really okay. I picked my phone back up and called my PI Friend Mac York.

The phone rang five times before his voicemail picked up. “It’s Morgan. I need another favor. I want you to keep a tail on Hunt. I also want an address on Lexi Manning and whatever else you can get me. Thanks, brother, I owe you.”

I disconnected the call and leaned back into the couch. I wasn’t leaving for D.C. until I knew for certain that she was okay.