Page 52 of Saving His Heart

“Emory.” He says it so sternly, I freeze in place. “I told you to get used to me doing things for you, so I will order dinner. Just let me know if there are any allergies I need to be aware of.”

Giving in because I know he is too weak to continue and too stubborn to give up, I say, “No allergies. Thank you.”

I fall in love a little more with the carefree, happy smile that he gives me. It makes me feel like I could actually perform miracles.

“You’re welcome, Goldie. I’ll knock on the door when it arrives.”

Afraid of the lump in my throat, I nod, then make my escape. In the hallway, I take longer than I should to compose myself. When I know I can yell at my sisters without crying, I knock on the door. “Tilly? Eli? It’s me, let me in.”

The door opens a crack, and I can hear them both behind it. What I wasn’t expecting was to have a bag thrown at me and the door shut in my face again.

“What the hell? Let me in. I’m not kidding, girls. I’m freaking tired. Let me in.”

“Sorry, Mis. No can do! We tested out the beds and decided they’re too small. You’ll have to stay with hunka hunka bubblicious next door.”

If I wasn’t about to lose my temper completely, I might burst out laughing. Hunka hunka bubblicious was our sister, Sloane’s, name for her Ken doll. I often pray that her male romance characters have better monikers now that she’s older.

“What. The. Fuck. Let me in. I swear to all that’s holy, I will strangle you both if you don’t open this door right now.”

“Everything okay out here?” Preston asks with his head poking out the door and a giant ass smile on his face.

“Go back to bed, Preston. My immature sisters think this is a game. This is not a game, Tilly. Open the damn door,” I scream.

I’m thankful when I hear the handle turn, but flush bright red when I realize the chain lock is still in place. I stick my foot in the door anyway and am ready to grab the girls by their hair if necessary when Preston comes up behind me.

“What’s happening here, ladies?” The laughter in his voice is bubbling over.

“Hey, Preston.”

“Hi, Preston. Nothing, we’re good. We were just telling Mis here that she has to sleep with you because after testing out the beds, we realized we won’t all fit, just like you said,” Eli tells him with a wink.

“Yup, so you two kids have fun. Don’t count on us for dinner. We ordered a pizza. Love you, Mis.”

I’m about to argue, but Tilly is on the floor and physically removes my foot so Eli can slam the door again. I swear I hear them laugh, and I stomp my foot because I’m so mad.

I could totally break down this door. I just need to find its weakest point —

Sensing danger, Preston wraps his hands around my middle just as my fists and foot land on the door.

“Come on, Tyson. It looks like you’ve been evicted. Luckily, there is a nice, big bed in my room. I’ll even let you make the pillow fort you love so much.”

“I. You. Jesus,” I seethe. I’m angry, confused, and so freaking tired I don’t know which emotion will win out.

Sensing my distress again, Preston guides me by the shoulders back to his room. To his credit, he doesn’t laugh. Doctor or not, I probably would have kicked him in the balls if he had.

“Hey, Ems?” Preston asks as we enter his room.

“Yeah?”

“It’s a good thing I have my library card.”

“What? Why would you have a library card for Camden Crossing?”God, maybe I’m more tired than I realized.

After he closes and locks the door, he stalks me, and my pulse quickens. Nose to nose, he leans down to kiss my cheek.

“Because I am totally checking you out.” He turns and guides me toward the bathroom. “Get in the tub, and I’ll bring you a glass of wine. Mona made sure there are all kinds of girl things in both bathrooms, and the fridges are fully stocked. Your sisters will be just fine. Let’s take care of you tonight.”

“Preston. You need to be in bed. Your blood pressure was a little high, and your oxygen levels were lower than I am comfortable with. You don’t need to take care of me. I am the one who went to medical school, remember?”