I called out a billionaire in public. He hired me. I kissed him. And like an idiot… I fell for my boss.

He’s the man hired to “modernize” my hometown—which is code for bulldozing its soul. He’s corporate suits, million-dollar blueprints, and smug smirks. I’m small-town roots, spilled coffee, and righteous fury.

When I call him out in a packed room, he offers me a seat at the table—to keep him honest. It’s supposed to be professional. “It’s anything but.” We argue. We compromise. We stay up too late.

One touch turns into one kiss. One kiss turns into one night. Then I see the man beneath the polished pitch. The one who listens. The one who remembers. The one who made me believe in forever.

But now the town thinks I’ve betrayed them. And if I can’t fix this, I lose more than their trust. I lose the only man I never meant to love. And this time… it might be too late.

”