Page 60 of Saving His Heart

“Oh, right. Colton was teasing Easton, telling him if he hadn’t been drooling all over Lexi, he would have caught the baby. Easton charged him, but he bolted over the seats. I’m not sure what happened next because I was grabbing my medical bag.”

I pull Emory to stand, and wrap her in a hug. Resting my head on hers, I’m acutely aware that the pain in my chest has nothing to do with cardiomyopathy and everything to do with the heartbreak of knowing I can’t keep this woman.

Chapter 25

Emory

“Preston, I brought a dress for tonight. I’ll be fine.”

“I know you’re fine, Goldie. And I don’t give a shit what you wear, but this is a girl thing. Once Sylvie Westbrook gets a thought in her head, it’s best not to fight her.”

He places a hand on mine, and I hadn’t even realized I was wringing them. Actually, I wasn’t aware people really wrung their hands anymore, but here I am.

“Emory, this will be fun, I promise you. Sylvie Westbrook will go out of her way to make sure all you ladies are well taken care of.”

“Everyone is going? Lexi too?” I feel close to Lexi even though I haven’t known her long.

“Trust me, no one is getting out of this shopping trip. Sylvie never had any girls, and I have a feeling she is going to make up for it today.”

“But I’m sure she just meant family. She won’t even notice if I’m not there.” I don’t want to sound ungrateful, but this is my worst nightmare come true. I never had a mother, so I don’t know what the hell to do with one now.

Preston stops in his tracks and is in front of me in only a handful of steps. Looping his finger under my chin, he raises my face, so I’m in line with his.

“Don’t make me repeat this, Goldie. You are my family—end of story. If you think Sylvie won’t notice her oldest son’s girl is missing, you’re in for a shock.”

“It’s not that I don’t want to hang out with your mom and the girls, Preston. It’s just, I’ve never done this before. I never had anyone take me shopping; I’ve always been the mom.”

“Then, you know what I say to that?”

“What?”

“You couldn’t have landed with a better group of moms. GG? Well, she is crazy. We’ve already established that. But Jules’ mom, Mimi, and my mother are two of the best you’ll ever meet. They have also never subscribed to the blood is thicker than water mantra. Their families have both always encompassed those who needed them most. You’ll see. And you won’t be the only one. Lanie and Lexi never had a mother around either. Lexi’s died when she was two, and Lanie’s mother is an asshole.”

There’s a knock on the door, followed by, “Git yer’selves ready, I’m comin’ in. I’m too old to be waitin’ in the hall.”

“Fucking GG.”

I look to Preston and let out a laugh. GG is followed by Preston’s familial entourage.

“Does your family always travel like this?” My belly is starting to hurt from laughing so much.

He lowers his mouth to my ear, “Our family, Goldie. Our family.” I physically shiver at his words and hold my elbows close to my sides. “Relax, sweetheart. This is a good thing, or I wouldn’t let you go.” Preston moves behind me and places strong hands on my shoulders, gently working out the tightness in my neck and shoulders. My head rolls back to rest against his chest involuntarily, and he leans down to kiss my forehead.

My face smiles on its own when he looks at me like that. Hearing the commotion that comes when twenty people invade your suite, I straighten to find all eyes are on us. Preston has either gotten really good at reading my cues, or he is uncomfortable as well because he gives my neck one more squeeze before taking my hand in his.

“Hi, everyone. You ladies ready to go?”

“If you can part with your better half, the rest of us are ready to go,” my mother smiles.

“Oh, I’m ready, Mrs. Westbrook. I just have to grab my purse.”

Preston squeezes my hand with extra vigor as our entire group “oooh’s” again.

Shit. I look to Sylvie apologetically.

Sylvie tsks the others away. “No apologies, my dear. And no purse needed. It’s not every day I get to take my girls shopping, and trust me; you’ve never done shopping like this, so just grab your phone, and let’s go.”

I’m scanning the group, looking for an ally, when all the girls hold up their phones.