Page 62 of Saving His Heart

Oh no, is this where she tells me to take the goods and run? Stay as far away from her son as I can? I’m not good enough. I’m—

“Has Preston told you about my upbringing?”

That has my head spinning.

“No, I don’t think so.”

She smiles kindly. “I think these boys forget where their momma comes from sometimes. It isn’t the white picket fences of Waverley-Cay, that’s for sure. I have a feeling you and I have more in common than you think. But I’m not going to push you, yet.” She grins, and it’s so much like Preston, I can’t help but smile back. “I wanted to take you out today because I have a feeling you deserve it, and I’m in a position where I can do that for people. No matter what happens with Preston, you have lots of friends and family here, myself included. But between you and me? I think I’ll get the privilege of walking you down the aisle before you know it.”

I choke on my own spit at her words. I don’t know what to say to her. I don’t want to lie after all the kindness she has shown me today, so instead, I say nothing.

“Don’t look so surprised, dear. That GG has been reading those cards again.” Even Sylvie can’t finish that sentence. We’re both laughing hysterically. Finally, she composes herself. “I’ve never met anyone like GG, but let me tell you, she hasn’t been wrong yet. If she says you’re not going anywhere, my money’s on her. And you.”

It must be a Westbrook trait to make you laugh one minute and be on the verge of tears the next.

“What do you say we go check on those brides? Preston will have my head if I don’t have you home on time.”

I stand with her when my phone rings with Eli’s unique tone.

“Actually, Sylvie, this is my sister. Can I meet up with you in a few minutes?”

“Of course, dear.” She wraps me up in a hug that has my eyes prickling.

Jesus. The Westbrooks are also good huggers.

* * *

“Emory,are you sure you’re okay?” Lexi asks again as we walk into the hotel.

We’ve had our hair and makeup done to within an inch of our lives, and I have to admit, we all look freaking good, but I am so pissed off at Preston that I can’t even think straight.

“Yup. I’m fine. Just need to speak to Preston,” I say through clenched teeth.

Julia comes up on my other side. “Oh, this is going to be good.”

I stop abruptly and look around. Lanie, Lexi, Julia, even Mimi and Sylvie are all surrounding me, showing support, and they have no idea what Preston has even done.

“Oh, don’t look at me like that,” Sylvie says. “I love my boys to death, but I’m the first to admit they need a good ass-kicking sometimes.”

Something about hearing this prim and proper woman swear sets everyone off, and we all erupt into fits of laughter.

“So, do we get to know what he did before we get up there?” Lexi asks, way too excited.

Everyone must give her a look, because she defends herself. “What? I’m just glad someone else is laying into him.”

“I—”

I peer around at this group of women trying so hard to take me into their circle.Do I tell them?Luckily, I’m saved by the bell, and I stalk toward the end of the hall, trying not to laugh as my female army marches behind me, ready for a fight they don’t even question.

When I reach the door, Lanie places a hand on my shoulder. “Deep breaths, chica. Whatever he did, I’m sure he thought he was doing the right thing. Dexter does the same thing.”

“Trevor, too,” Julia chimes in.

“Ladies. Men are idiots sometimes, but they are idiots for love, so keep that in mind,” Sylvie says with a wink, then pushes the door open and ushers me inside.

If I wasn’t so pissed, I’d laugh. Preston’s own mother is encouraging me to set him straight. So that is what I set out to do.

Chapter 26