The others offered, too, but having my brother close has been nice. And with Tessa around, I’ll have some extra help at the shop, giving me more time to check in on Sawyer during the day.
“You’re stubborn.”
“You talk so sweet to me,” he says with a grin, then closes his eyes again. The pain is written all over his face even though he’s trying really hard to play it off. I know he left too soon. But there wasn’t anything I could do once he signed the release paperwork.
“Yeah, well, don’t get used to it.” The windows in my apartment have all been replaced, but the blinds are down, sealing me in from the outside. It’s an adjustment to be in here with no natural light, since I always left that window over my kitchen open.
But seeing the destruction of Sawyer’s life when we pulled up was hard enough. I don’t know what I’d do if I had to look at it right now, too.
“We’ll be back in a bit with the spoils of our shopping trip,” Garrison says. “How do you feel about lace and ruffles?” he asks.
“I look great in anything,” Sawyer replies, his eyes still closed.
Since everything he owned went up in flames, the guys have graciously agreed to do some shopping for him. Clearly, he trusts them a whole lot more than I would. Even with his recent near-death experience, I absolutely expect them to come back with ruffles of some kind.
“Call if you need us.” Weston opens the door and steps into the hall.
“Lock up behind us,” Garrison adds.
The shop is open below, with Tessa, Katelyn, and Zane working to keep things moving, but I’ve been told that, even if the shop is open, if I’m up here, the door is to remain locked.
At all times.
I shiver. How is this my life?
“Come here.”
I turn around and see Sawyer reaching for me with the arm not currently in a sling. Because distance just doesn’t make sense, I move toward him, gently sitting on the couch and curling up against him. Sawyer presses a kiss to the top of my head and wraps his arm around me, holding me tightly.
In his arms, there is no danger.
No madman hunting me.
Just him and me.
Two friends who have decided to bet everything on each other and hope they don’t lose it all.
“Thanks for staying with me,” I tell him as I pull away to look into his eyes.
“I wouldn’t be anywhere else. How are you doing?”
“You mean, knowing a crazed serial killer is after me and my boyfriend was blown up two days ago?”
“Boyfriend?” Sawyer questions, arching a brow.
Embarrassment at the slip heats my cheeks. “You know what I mean. We haven’t had that conversation yet, but?—”
“I’m here for it. Girlfriend,” he adds. “Man, that feels good. Been a long time coming if you ask me.”
He’s so absolutely adorable that it hurts.
I kiss his cheek. “Can I get you some water? A sandwich?” I start to get up, but he tugs me back down.
“I just need you. And since we’re not going to have a whole lot of quiet time once the shop closes, can we just sit here for a bit?”
I settle back in against him, enjoying the way I fit against his side. How did I never see what a perfect fit we made? There was always attraction, sure, but I’d chosen not to see the rest of it. Why? Because I was afraid?
It seems so foolish now when I’m up against a very real threat.
