Page 104 of Saving His Heart

Once I reach the crawl space’s safety marker, I pull the lanyard from my shirt and press the button. I hear the explosion and know I have seven minutes to make it underground to the edge of the forest. I’d thought about reaching out to Ashton, but now I know that would likely lead to his death. I’m on my own until I can get to them in person.

What the hell is happening in four months, and who the fuck is ‘she’?

Chapter 44

Preston

“Sweetheart? Why don’t you go home? You’re exhausted, and I’m not going anywhere.”

“I’d rather stay,” Emory says through a yawn.

Since my surgery, she has been camping out in the recliner that I caught her using all her might to slide across the room one night.

“Emory?”

“What? Are you okay? Did I wake you?”

“No, Goldie. I’ve been awake watching you roll around in that chair for over an hour. What are you doing?”

Embarrassed, she lowers her gaze. “Ah, I haven’t been able to sleep. I think I got used to your body heat, but there is no way I’m climbing in bed with you until you’re healed.”

A proud grin slides across my face as I watch her wrestle the chair into place beside my bed. Slipping my hand through the bars, she lays her head on my open palm and falls peacefully to sleep.

“You know, I have it on good authority I’ll get to go home in a few days. It’s probably okay for you to slip in next to me.”

“I’d love that, but I’m working here now, and I don’t want anyone thinking I get special privileges. It’s important to me that I’m reinstated and work my way up the line just like everyone else.”

“You’re already working long hours, sweetheart. You need a good night’s sleep.”

“I will when we get home.” I watch as her eyes blink slowly, then remain closed.

I’m going to have a lifetime with this stubborn woman.The thought brings me to tears. Just a couple of weeks ago, I thought our story was ending and now forever is possible. As I lay staring at her small frame slowly rising and falling with each breath, I vow to prove to her every day how much she means to me.

Confident she’s asleep, I slip my phone off of the bedside table—time to call in reinforcements.

MEP

Preston:Phase two in Make Emory Preston’s. Epic first dates. We did things a little backward, and I want to do this right.

Dexter: Have we created a monster?

Colton: Fuck, yes!

Easton:Jesus. Did they remove your balls during surgery, too?

Trevor: You just wait, East. Your turn is coming.

Easton: Fuck that. Never going to happen.

(Easton left the conversation at 9:34pm)

Ashton: What do you have in mind?

Preston: Dexter’s the hopeless romantic. What have you got, Dex?

Dexter: How long do we have until you go home?

Dexter: When do you want the first date to happen?