Page 74 of Saving His Heart

“I-I doooo,” I sob, unable to hold it together any longer. Ashton taps me on the shoulder and hands me a ring.

“And, Preston, do you take Emory to be your loving wife, to have and to hold until death do you part?”

“I do.” He says it so confidently, so passionately, I can almost believe he means it.

“Then, by the power vested to me by the state of North Carolina, I pronounce you husband and wife. Congratulations. You may now kiss your bride.”

I think I hear Preston growl right before he swoops in for the first kiss. No kiss will ever be the same. Preston may be the one who is dying, but he just ensured my heart will never beat for anyone else. It will go wherever he is.

“Ah-hem. Mr. and Mrs. Westbrook, I do need you to sign these documents to make it official,” the judge says, interrupting Preston’s assault.

Preston grabs the papers, adjusts them in a neat stack, and then signs as fast as he can move the pen across the paper. It actually makes me laugh.Where does he think I’m going to go now?Handing me the pen, I see his jaw is set tight.

“Do you think I’m going to run or something?” At least it gets a chuckle from Ashton.

“Nope, just want to make sure everything is in order,” he tells me, grabbing the papers and handing them back to the judge. “Is everything … everything is all set, right?”

We stare as the judge signs the last of the papers. “You’re all set, son. I’ll get these to the lawyer as you requested.”

“Thank you, sir. Okay, Mrs. Westbrook, let’s get out of here!”

“I didn’t get to say any vows,” I say as Preston pulls me through the courthouse with Ashton close behind.

“He did that on purpose, you know? Dad did the same thing to Mom. He knew if she had time to prepare something, he would be the blubbering mess. They didn’t have a big wedding either, but he had convinced her to go with the standard-issue vows. He sprung it on her just like this.”

I look to Preston for confirmation, but he won’t make eye contact.

“You sneaky little jerk.”

Giving my hand a squeeze, he smiles, and his hand might as well have been gripping my heart. “Is that any way to speak to your new husband, wifey?”

“George said he’s ready to go whenever you are. Want me to drop you off?” Ashton asks.

“George? Why, where are we going?”

I stop short when Preston tugs on my hand. “I can’t take you on a honeymoon today because Julia would have my balls if we missed their wedding, but you didn’t think I’d just let this pass, did you?”

“Preston, we can’t do this right now,” I protest. He needs all his energy for these two weddings if we have any chance of making it to December.

He silences me with a kiss.

“I know what your concerns are,” he whispers, “but this is something I want for me—for us. This is important. Let me have this night with you, please. I packed our clothes. We’ll be back tomorrow in plenty of time for the rehearsal dinner. Please, Goldie, for us.”

“For us,” I agree.

“I won’t let you down, Ems. I promise.”

“You never do, Pres. And you never cease to amaze me either.”

Chapter 31

Preston

We land in Charleston just before dinner. Emory was quiet on the flight, but I feel a shock of pride every time I catch her staring at my ring on her finger. I hate that she can’t wear it for long, but that’s what the second ring is for.Will she wear them when I’m gone?

I feel insurmountable guilt if I think about Ashton too long. I’m leaving him alone in his grief, asking him to keep it to himself. I know it isn’t fair.It’s another selfish dick move I’ve made lately. I’m his older brother, I’m supposed to protect him, yet I’m selfish and here with Emory instead.

“Where are we going?”