Heart across the tides

morning meeting had gone exactly as he feared-a polished city outsider with a slick presentation and all the charm in the world

the blue expanse. A pair of seagulls circled overhead, their cries blending into the symphony of the harbor. T

boots was familiar, grounding. The pier had been a part of his life for as long as he could remember. He could still picture his

fellow advocate, Callie Martinez, waved to him from her boat. Her dark braid swung behi

t a war," Callie said, setting the

ed his arms. "She's everything I expected. Corporate, calculated,

Clara Hayes, right? I heard about h

And too determined to plow ahead withou

"Sounds like som

The redevelopment is a mess, and you've got every right to fight i

hing we've been trying to protect," he sa

on't burn yourself out. You're no good to anyo

us. But keeping his emotions in check was easier said than done, especially when every instinct told him Clara

only coffee shop, debating between a croissant and a blueberry muffin. Her stomach was tied i

commented, her cheerful voice c

and chatting, their laughter and conversations blending into a warm hum. She spotted a bulletin boar

by the window. The view overlooked the harbor, its sparkling waters a constant reminder of her project's stakes. She op

e to greet a shop owner, his serious demeanor softening as they exchanged a few words. There was a ruggednes

harbor was undeniable, and though his attitude had grated on her, she couldn't dismiss his concerns out

epping inside. He didn't notice her at first, heading straight to the counter an

en, with a sigh that was almost imperce

working?" he asked, his

is gaze. "Some of us don't have t

e. "If you call this a morning off, you'

oss from her. "Do you want to sit,

and sitting down. His coffee cup thudded ligh

ersistent

e corrected. "Ther

ir, studying her. "Why th

answer. "Because it's my job. I was assigned t

he said, his voice quieter now

at something buried deep inside her. "It matters because it's a chance to make something better. This to

paint over. It has history, identity. The harbor isn't just a view; it's a living eco

oy anything. I'm here to create something

beneficial' are easy to throw a

elding. Clara stared at him, trying to decipher whether hi

he said finally,

nstead, he took a long sip of his

ys out," he said, standing up and pu

n, let alone engage her in conversation. But something about their exchange

r laptop, her fingers hovering over the keys. If Ethan Lawson wanted proof, she'd give it to him. But co