Page 15 of Saving His Heart

“I can’t believe I fell for that,” I tell her.

“I’m the queen of bad pick-up lines, Preston.”

“And that, sweetheart, makes me the king.” I give her a kiss on the cheek, then rush down the hall toward the elevator before I do something else stupid. I don’t look back until I am pressing the up button, and when I do, she gives a small wave. “Goodnight, Ems.”

“Goodnight, Preston.”

I wait until she closes her door and strain to hear if she locked it. I’m tempted to go check but control myself. Instead, I step into the elevator and head to my apartment.What a freaking shitshow.

Chapter 6

Emory

Holy shit.I plop down on the couch and fan myself. What the hell was that? When he leaned in and said he would scream when he was inside of me? I swear to all that is holy, I almost orgasmed. From words! I allow myself a moment to live in the dreamland of what-ifs, then text my sisters.

Emory: Eli and Till, I have more income coming in for a few months. Both of you sign up for two more classes next semester. I’ll still be able to cover the costs at home.

Living in Preston’s building has opened up money, so I’m trying my hardest to get them both through school. I want them out of Camden Crossing as soon as possible.

Eli: Ems, what did you do?

Emory: Don’t you worry about it. I’ve picked up some extra hours, that’s all.

Emory: Sloane, I have a ticket waiting for you any time you want to come home.

Sloane: I’m good. Seeing a guy here in Seattle and working on the whole grumpy boss trope. (winky face emoji)

Tilly: (Barfing emoji) Sloane, I swear to god if you end up with an STD, I am disowning you.

Emory: Please, just be safe. I’ve got to run. Love you, girls.

Eli: Love you, too, Mis.

Tilly: Love you, Mis.

Sloane: Love you to the moon and back, Mis.

Seeing my sisters all call me Mis in succession like that makes me weepy. Eli started mixing up Mom and Sis when I was nine. The rest followed suit. I’ve been Mis ever since. Knowing it does no good to wallow, I go about hiding all the medical equipment back in the front closet when a loud banging on my door startles me.Shit, maybe I should be more careful about locking the door.

“Ems. It’s me, open up,” I hear Preston call through the door.Hm, guess I did lock it.

Panicking that something is wrong, I rush to the door, yank it open, and check him over.

“No, no, Ems, stop. I’m fine, but I had to run down the stairs to beat the girls. I’m sorry, I tried to warn them off, but once Lanie gets something in her head, she’s like a dog with a bone. They’re on their way down here to have ‘girl time’. They raided my wine fridge; I’m sorry! All I told them was that we met when you worked for me briefly. I didn’t know what else to say. I wasn’t expecting them all to still be in my apartment. I guess, just do your best to make up our relationship,” he whisper-yells.

“What? Preston! I know nothing about you except what is in your medical records. I cannot do this,” I whine until I hear the elevator. Taking a step toward each other instinctively, we turn our heads and watch as two six-foot blondes, and a teeny, tiny brunette comes laughing down the hallway arm in arm.

“Preston, what the hell did you do? Run down the stairs to get here first? What’s wrong with you?” Lexi asks. It seems like a question she asks a lot.

“Seriously, Preston. We won’t scare her off. We just want to get to know her,” Lanie interjects.

“I know,” Preston says, using the opportunity to wrap an arm around my waist before he continues. “But it’s been a long day. Ems wasn’t expecting to meet you all today; it’s a little overwhelming.”

“Geez, don’t I know it. Don’t you remember the first time I met all of you guys? And I was alone! That is a story Emory definitely needs to hear,” Lanie grins.

“Jesus, fine. How about if we promise no inquisition? Tonight, anyway. Tonight we will just eat, drink, and be merry. What do you say, Emory?” Julia asks in the no-nonsense way that she has.

Placing my hand on Preston’s chest, I gently push him back. “Preston, it’s fine. It might be nice to have some girl time.”Since when? You have never had girl time in your life!I turn to the three ladies determined to be my new best friends. “But you have to promise, no firing squad tonight. I need a full twenty-four hours’ notice before my relationship gets picked apart.”