Page 98 of Saving His Heart

“Everything okay?” Lexi asks.

“Oh, yeah. It’s just weird that none of my sisters are answering their phones. Someone always answers.”

“They’re probably just busy,” Lanie says. “It’s the middle of the day. Yeah, I’m sure they’re just busy.”

Did those mimosas go straight to her head? She is acting really strange.

“So, what do you say, Ems? You going to come home with us or what?” Julia asks without looking at me.

“What’s up with the two of you?” I ask.

“Ugh, nothing. They’re just lightweights who let the champagne get to them,” Lexi answers through a clenched jaw.

“Hmm.”

“But they aren’t wrong,” Lexi continues. “You should come back with us.”

“I don’t know, Lex. I think Preston needs the chance to figure out his life now that he knows he can and will live a long, healthy one. Facing death can make you do crazy things. I’ve seen it in patients before.”

“He isn’t your patient, Emory. He’s your husband,” Julia says.

Sighing, I know we are about to get into this for the tenth time today. “I know, Jules. But, he asked me to marry him when he had no other options. The world just opened up to him. It’s okay for him to want different things.”

“Don’t you think you owe it to him to let him make that decision, though?” Lanie asks softly.

“That’s what I’m trying to do,” I tell them. “I want him to decide without any pressure from me.”

“How can he do that if you’re running from him?” Lexi points out.

I’m not running, am I?

“Listen, we won’t badger you over this. But we do need you to come to the airport. We forgot a gift for you from Sylvie on the plane. She will kill us if we don’t hand it to you personally.”

“Julia!” Lexi and Lanie say in unison.

“What? We aren’t going to get her on that plane unless we come clean and tell her we fucked up and have to give her something.”

Note to self, watch the mimosa intake of these girls.

“Okay, that’s fine. I can see you off, then take a taxi back to the hotel.”

The rest of the car ride is silent except for the constant texting everyone else is doing. Peering down at my phone, my chest aches knowing Preston hasn’t reached out once.

I climb the steps to Preston’s private plane on the tarmac, probably for the last time. Glancing back at the girls, they all urge me to continue.

Maybe they’re acting weird, knowing we won’t have a reason to continue our friendships once Preston realizes I’m not his forever.

“Where—”

“In the cabin,” they all shout.

“Are you guys alright?”Maybe I should just clear the air now. “Listen, I know you’re Preston’s friends. I won’t pressure you if things don’t work out. I understand your loyalties lie with Preston.”

“You freaking moron. We don’t have loyalties. You’re both our friends. That’s why you have to forgive us for doing this,” Julia says. Before I can blink, she and Lanie have shoved me into the small restroom attached to the private cabin.

“Go, we’re all set. Take off, immediately,” I hear Lexi yell.

“What the hell, guys? I said I’m not going with you. Let me out of here right now!”