Page 168 of At First Catch

Fear flickers low beneath my ribs for the very first time since we fell in love. What if this is what Nolan does when life gets hard? What if his instinct will always be to withdraw, protect, and carry everything alone?

The thought terrifies me more than I want to admit.

I force myself to stay calm.

“What’s happening with the investors?”

His jaw tightens almost imperceptibly.

“Nothing I can’t manage.”

Not an answer.

Nolan notices the change on my face, then he exhales toward the ceiling.

“Hads.”

His gentle words sent shivers down my spine, my knees weakening with every syllable.

“I’m not trying to shut you out,” he says carefully.

The way he phrases it tells me everything. Somewhere deep down, Nolan already knows that’s exactly what this feels like.

“Then let me in.”

The words come out softer than intended. The look on his face afterward nearly breaks me, as if he doesn’t know how.

Nolan steps closer until his hands settle warm against my waist. But tonight even his touch feels tired.

“You know what scares me?” he asks.

I shake my head once.

His eyes search mine for one suspended second before he finally admits, “I finally have something worth losing.”

“The marina?”

His gaze comes back to mine.

“All of it.”

Something in my chest pulls tight.

“I spent years building Pierce Construction, and I learned exactly how quickly something you’ve built can stop feeling like yours when someone else gets enough leverage over it.” His hands tighten at my waist. “I told myself I wouldn’t do that again.”

“But you need the financing.”

His jaw shifts.

“I need more than I wanted to need.”

And there it is.

Not just the overworking. Or the calls he takes outside. Or the way his phone has practically become another appendage.

Fear.

“And me?” I ask.