Walker stood in front of the Harper Holdings tower, the familiar rhythm of the city buzzing around him. The polished steel and glass reflected the sharp morning sun, and for a moment, he let himself feel it—the pride of returning to the helm. He hadn't been gone long, but the days in Maplewood had been grounding in a way he hadn't expected. Now, he was stepping back into the world he'd worked his whole life to lead.
The elevator ride to the top floor felt like slipping on a tailored suit—structured, familiar, powerful. When the doors opened, the front desk receptionist greeted him with a surprised smile. "Mr. Harper. It's good to see you back."
Walker nodded. "Good to be back."
Cara, his executive assistant, met him just outside his office. "Your eleven a.m. with the finance team is confirmed. Your father called twice."
He smirked. "Of course he did. I'll call him back when I've caught up."
Inside his office, everything was just as he left it—sleek, efficient, perfectly in order. He loved this space. The view of the skyline was sharp and commanding. This was his arena, and he didn't doubt his place in it. But even as he powered up his laptop and reviewed his agenda, his mind wandered.
To Lena.
She'd probably just opened the bakery, sleeves rolled up, hair in a messy twist, hands already dusted in flour. The image tugged at him, unexpected and relentless. It wasn't that he didn't want to be here. He did. But something about being away from her now left him off balance—like part of him was still in her kitchen, watching her create magic with nothing but sugar and butter.
The board meeting went smoothly. He fielded questions about strategic shifts, outlined new growth initiatives, and defended his temporary absence with calm authority. The board had concerns, as always, but Walker held the room like a conductor with a baton.
As the meeting wrapped up, one of the senior members pulled him aside.
"Good to see you back in the rhythm," the man said. "The company's stronger with you at the wheel."
Walker offered a firm nod. "I've got big plans for the next quarter."
He meant it. He hadn't lost his drive, his focus. But as he walked back to his office, the thought of Lena crept back in—quiet and insistent.
His phone buzzed. A text from her lit the screen.
Lena: Sold out of the lemon tarts before noon. Thinking they're permanent menu material.
He smiled, thumb already moving.
Walker: You're a genius. I'll bring dinner later—any cravings?
Lena: Always. But let's start with pizza and end with chocolate.
He stared at her message for a long moment, then tucked the phone away, the warmth in his chest lingering.
He loved this job. He loved leading. But he was starting to realize something even more powerful.
He missed her—deeply—when she wasn't around.
He stayed in his office for another half hour, reviewing reports and answering emails, but his focus wavered. Every task completed felt a little less satisfying than it used to. Not because he no longer cared—he did, deeply—but because part of him was measuring time differently now. Not in quarterly goals or growth charts, but in how long it would take him to get back to her.
By the time he packed up for the day, the office was thinning out. The city lights flickered on outside the tall windows, and for a moment, he stood there quietly, staring out. The skyline was still his kingdom, but Lena… Lena was becoming home. And no matter how much he loved this view, it was her face he wanted to see when the day was over.