Page 32

GAGE

My heart is doing that odd flip-flopping thing again.

Rory hasn’t noticed me yet, her attention still on her Kindle, so I give myself a few extra seconds to just watch her. Not in a creepy, stalker-ish way, but taking the time to catalog everything.

She’s sitting in bed— our bed, I’ve come to think of it as—with her hair falling in loose tendrils around her face.

The sun coming in through the window casts a golden glow on her face, and her lips are tilted up in a half-smile as she reads.

Her tank top falls forward just enough to reveal a hint of cleavage and her bare shoulders are pink and freckled from sitting out in the sun yesterday afternoon.

When we first met, Rory would never have exposed her body like this. I didn’t realize it at the time, but everything she wore was carefully chosen to hide her scars.

Now? She wears shorts around me. T-shirts. Tank tops. She lets me see her gloriously naked, her gorgeous body on full display.

And she’s not just beautiful on the outside, but the inside, too. Despite all she’s been through, which would be enough to turn anyone bitter, she’s the kindest and most compassionate person I’ve ever met.

In the aftermath of Wade’s attack, Rory could have been angry.

She could have focused on her experience, her injuries, her trauma, and no one would have judged her for it.

But no. Rory was worried about her sister—how Emily would handle the shock of discovering Wade’s terrible plan and his deception.

“She must be so devastated,” Rory told me last night, after making yet another unanswered call to her sister.

Emily still hasn’t talked to Rory in the three days since everything went down, not for lack of Rory trying.

“Finding out her husband’s been lying to her, that he stole from his company, and then trying to kill me… I can’t imagine how awful it must be.”

I had to bite my tongue to keep from saying what I was really thinking, which was that Emily wasn’t the one Wade tried to kill. Emily’s not the one with a concussion. Emily isn’t the one dealing with PTSD after a third attempt on her life.

And I can’t help wondering if Emily suspected something.

Not necessarily Wade’s murderous plan, but she had to have realized things weren’t adding up.

Country club, new cars, fancy trips, a damn penthouse…

How could she have possibly thought they had the money for all of it?

Especially knowing the money from her parents was gone?

The police say Emily claimed she had no idea. After hours of questioning, they believe Rory’s sister is innocent. That she truly believed Wade’s explanation of a promotion and hefty bonuses, and never imagined it was all a lie.

As for me? The jury’s still out. And selfishly, I’m not eager for Rory to talk to her.

Rory glances up from her Kindle, catching me staring. Her face lights up with a smile. In a gently scolding voice, she says, “Gage. I told you I could help you make breakfast. You didn’t have to bring it in here again.”

I leave the doorway and head across the room to the side of the bed.

“But I wanted to.” Once I’m beside the mattress, I set the wooden tray carefully down in front of her.

Then I put the mug filled with steaming coffee on the nightstand so it doesn’t spill.

“Besides, you’re supposed to be resting. The doctor said.”

Rory looks at the array of food on the tray, her eyes going big as she takes it all in. “Gage. This is enough food for an army!”

Is it? Following her gaze, I give the contents of the tray a quick assessment.

On one plate is a large serving of cheesy eggs, along with half a dozen strips of bacon and two hash brown patties.

Another, smaller plate holds four slices of toast topped with avocado.

To the side of that, there’s a bowl filled with freshly cut fruit and yogurt.

Then the finishing touch, a little milk jar with a few wildflowers I picked from the edge of the yard.

Perching on the edge of the mattress, I reply, “It’s not that much food. And anyway, it’s important for you to keep your energy up. It’s better for healing.”

She shifts over and pats the empty space on the bed beside her. “It looks amazing, Gage. But please tell me you’re going to eat some of this, too.”

Before I can answer, a black nose appears at the side of the bed, sniffing like crazy. A few seconds later, two more noses join the first.

I look down at three sets of expectant eyes gazing up at me. With a chuckle, I say, “She didn’t mean you guys get to eat it.”

Dewey gives me a baleful look. If his forlorn doggie expression was anything to go by, someone might think he hadn’t eaten in days instead of just fifteen minutes ago.

“Looks like they’d be happy to help.” Rory laughs. Then she shakes her head at the dogs. “This isn’t for you. Now go lay down and stop begging.”

Toby sighs. Elmore gives the bacon a longing glance. Dewey slides to the floor with a disappointed huff. But after a moment, they all obediently go over to Toby’s bed—their favorite—and flop down in a mishmash of fur.

Rory grabs the mug from the nightstand and takes a deep inhale, closing her eyes in appreciation.

As I settle beside her and adjust the tray so it doesn’t tip, she asks in surprise, “You got a cinnamon creme latte from Breakfast Bliss? When did you have time to get it? I know I haven’t been reading that long. ”

“Enzo and Winter were already there having breakfast. So I asked if they’d bring it back for me.”

Concern wrinkles her forehead. “Oh, Gage. That’s nice, but I don’t want them to feel like?—”

“They didn’t. Winter called while they were out to ask if we wanted anything. And they were happy to pick up your favorite coffee.”

“Oh.” The wrinkles smooth out. “That was really nice of them.” She pauses.

“But, Gage. I don’t want your friends to feel like they have to keep doing things for me.

Not that I don’t appreciate it, with the home-cooked meals from Winter and Lark, and the checkups from Ronan, and all of Alec’s updates. But I don’t want to be a burden.”

My response is immediate. “You’re not. At all, Ror. They’re your friends, too. Wouldn’t you want to help out Lark or Winter if they were hurt?”

“Of course I would. But I’m fine. It’s just a minor concussion.”

Except that it’s not just a minor concussion. It’s a second head injury in the span of a little over a month, which I definitely don’t feel okay about. The doctor at the hospital said Rory should be fine if she takes it easy for a couple of weeks, but I can’t help worrying.

Looping my arm around Rory, I pull her against my side and press a kiss to the top of her head. “You are not a burden, baby. Not in the slightest. Everyone loves you. And they just want to help. Okay?”

A beat later, it hits me what I just said.

Love.

Am I falling in love with Rory? Is it possible to be in love with someone so soon?

Or.

Did I start falling in love with Rory from the day I met her?

“I guess.” She sets the mug down and turns towards me. “I just worry. Everyone here has done so much already. I already feel like I’m taking advantage of Enzo’s generosity, staying here when the cabin could be used for a new client.”

I frown at her. “What do you mean? Why would you leave?”

But I know why. I just don’t like the reason.

Rory picks up a piece of bacon and nibbles on it. Then she puts it back down. A tiny worry line etches between her eyes. “Because there’s no reason for me to stay here now. Ford, Mavers, and now Wade… They’re all in jail. It’s safe to go back to my house again.”

“But you’re hurt,” I retort. “With a concussion, you should?—”

“Gage.” It’s soft. Patient. “I love staying here. And the first couple of nights, it made sense. But now… I feel like it’s selfish to take up this cabin when it could be used for someone else.”

A weight settles on my chest. “You’re not. We still have an open cabin. So there’s no rush. You can stay as long as you want.”

Her mouth pulls into an unhappy line. “Even if I could, what about the dogs? I can’t expect people to foster them indefinitely.”

Desperation builds at the thought of Rory leaving. “Max is adopting Charlie and Bandit. Mrs. Adamson said she wants to keep Daisy. And I think Enzo and Winter will end up adopting Comet, since he and Rusty get along so well.”

“I hope they do. But there are still eight more dogs who need permanent homes. And until they find them, I need to bring them back to the shelter. Plus, there are more dogs who need help. Rescues down south that are overflowing.” She sighs.

“I have a responsibility, Gage. And more than that, I want to help.”

“Ah, baby. I know.” Nudging the tray aside, I pull Rory into my arms. “I just…”

Just what ?

What do I want?

Her soft green eyes meet mine. “What, Gage?”

“I don’t want you to leave.”

Confusion pinches her features. “I’m not leaving Bliss. I thought you knew that. We talked about?—”

“No. I mean, I don’t want you leaving the cabin.”

But is that really what I want?

“I can’t stay here forever,” she replies patiently. “You know that.”

“I know.” As I look at Rory, desire wars with fear. Deep down, I know the truth. But I’m afraid of saying it. Afraid of ruining things. Of losing the only woman I’ve ever seen a future with.

Then again. I showed her my prosthetic. Bared my greatest insecurities to her. And if I don’t ask, will I regret it?

Of course, we would still date even with Rory back at her house.

But I’ve gotten used to spending my days with her.

Working on my laptop while she reads at the other end of the couch.

I don’t want to spend my nights alone, worrying if Rory’s okay.

If she’s safe. If she’s having nightmares.

If she’s missing me as much as I’m missing her.

I feel like I’m balanced at the edge of a precipice; my next step leading to joy or disappointment.