Page 124 of Romancing His Heart

Emory: …

(Emory added Preston at 3:15 p.m.)

Preston: What’s up, ladies?

Sloane: Why do I have babysitters outside?

(Preston added Ashton at 3:16 p.m.)

Ashton: I’m kind of busy right now. Is everything okay?

Sloane: Someone had better tell me why the fuck there are two men on my street that know my smoke alarm just went off.

Emory: Your smoke alarm? Are you all right? Did you call 911?

Sloane: There’s no fire, now answer the damn question.

Ashton: It’s for your protection. Don’t dismiss them, and don’t try to hide from them. They won’t bother you, but they will keep you safe. Do not fucking argue with me about this. I have to go.

Sloane: …

(Ashton left the conversation)

Emory: …

Preston: Loki will explain when he can. Just do as Ash asks, please.

Sloane: Asks? You mean demanded? What the hell is going on?

Emory: Sloane, please. Just let them do their job.

Is she kidding me?

(Sloane left the conversation)

Sloane: Any idea why I’m being guarded like a criminal?

Julia: Because you write sex scenes so hot they’re probably illegal in multiple countries?

I laugh even though I’m trying to be angry.

Sloane: Besides that.

Lanie: …

Lexi: Because Loki is an asshat. Just go with it.

Lanie: What Lexi said.

Why do I get the impression that everyone in my life knows something I don’t? Plopping down on the couch, I let my head fall back and take a deep breath.

Listen to Loki. Loki didn’t mean what he said.Choose love.

Everyone’s words from last week have been ringing in my ears all hours of the day and night. Choose love. They make it sound so easy. Choose love, like I can just decide one day that I’m over my issues. Just because I say screw it, I choose love, doesn’t magically change everything.

“Love takes work, Sloane. Lots of work and choosing to be happy. Choose love.”Lanie had said it with such conviction, such heart.

Is it that simple? Can I choose love and happiness? Staring into the kitchen, all I see is my mess everywhere. It’s my mess, though. I can clean it up. That’s the way it should be, right? You make a mess, and you clean it up.