Page 78 of Saving His Heart

Julia’s parents, Mimi and Pete, are in another corner with Lanie’s two newest additions. GG is with Dexter’s oldest son, Tate, teaching him a card game that is probably highly inappropriate for his age.

Two of Preston’s brothers sit at a table arguing over an NFL player while their mother, Sylvie, is attempting to calm Julia down. Ashton is hiding behind a pillar just outside of the room, talking animatedly on the phone.I hope he can reach Loki. Turning in place, I notice Lexi is missing.

I’m searching the room for her when I catch myself twirling the ring on my right hand with my thumb absentmindedly. I search for Preston and find him watching the movement as well. A sad smile graces his tired face.Lexi is probably in the bathroom. I’ll find her at dinner.

Preston’s eyes never leave my hand as I cross the room and slide into the seat next to him. Laying my head on his shoulder, I memorize his scent. I’m trying to remember everything, so I take out my phone and take a selfie—my head on his shoulder, his arm around mine. I feel a teardrop land on my cheek. Glancing up, I see it in his eyes.

“Can I borrow a kiss?” The lift of his lip is another splinter in my quickly shattering heart.

“Borrow a kiss? Do you promise to give it back?” I ask with a small smile.

“Always, sweetheart.” Repositioning the sleeping Harper, he kisses me tenderly.

He just keeps chip, chip, chipping away.

“Yes!” Dexter yells, startling the crap out of Harper and me.

Sheepishly, he takes the crying little girl. This time in a stage whisper, he tells Lanie, “MEP is in motion!”

Preston stiffens beside me. “Let’s get you two knuckleheads through your weddings before you go into full Prince-Charming mode, okay?”

“Oh shit, please tell me you’ll include us in the MEP messages this time?” Colton whines.

“Yeah, I wouldn’t mind having Emory as a sister,” Ashton adds conversationally, but we know better, and my body flushes with guilt.

“What’s MEP?” I ask, looking around at the crowd now gathering around us.

“Make Emory Preston’s.”

Toggling between Preston and the group, I shrug. “Too late, I’m already his.”

Chapter 33

Preston

Trevor’s wedding is small, but I’m thinking the children outnumber the adults. I’ve been holding Harper for the last hour. She’s still a tiny little thing, but it’s unseasonably warm. Scratch that, it’s fucking hot, and she’s getting heavy.

“You good with the title of flowerman?” Trevor asks, kissing Harper on the head.

“Totally. We’ll be the best damn flower couple this wedding has ever seen. Isn’t that right, Harps?”

“Geez, can you not call her Harps?” Dexter comes up behind me. “It sounds like you’re calling my daughter herps.”

“That fucking disgusting.”

“Preston!” they both scold in unison.

“Sorry, Harper. I don’t have the dad filter these two have.”

“Yet,” Trevor smirks, nodding toward Emory.

I have to swallow down my reaction.

All the girls are wearing deep red, silky, form-fitting gowns. Emory has thin little straps at her shoulders and a deep V-cut in the front that she fought Julia over. I know she feels too exposed, but I lose my breath every time I see her.

“Right.”

“I know we haven’t had a lot of time to talk, but are you ever going to tell us what’s going on with her?” Dexter asks. “You know, we could probably help. We said no more secrets, remember? If something’s going on, tell us. I don’t want to be forced to knock you out, too.”