Page 118 of The Image of You

Meeting him had changed my life. He had been a force unto himself from the moment he was wheeled into the ER and woke up, grumpy and demanding. Yet somehow vulnerable and sweet at the same time. He had exploded into my world like a tsunami slamming into land. He obliterated everything I thought to be true. He questioned every negative thought. Struck down all the guilt I carried. He made me stronger; although every time he left, my parents tried to drag me back into that world.

He listened to me. Challenged me. He made me feel beautiful. Sexy. Wanted. Loved. So deeply loved. It was as if his adoration wrapped around me, defeating the negative and bolstering the good.

His gifts always made me smile with his thoughtfulness. Making sure I knew even if he wasn’t with me, his thoughts were. The best gift was always when he returned safe and sound, though.

And now, he assured me he wasn’t ever leaving me again. No one would separate us. We would talk and figure everything out. Together.

My phone rang, my mother’s ring tone loud and obnoxious in the quiet of the room. When it fell silent, I looked at Adam. “She’ll call back until I answer.”

“Yeah, I remember her insistence. You should answer it. Let her know you’re safe and be done with it.”

I wasn’t sure I could talk to her without screaming. “I don’t want to talk to her.”

“Then send her a text. You left their condo in the middle of the night. Even your mother would be concerned. And you have to face her when you go back for your things.”

I shook my head. “I don’t want to go back there!”

Adam captured my hand that was rubbing my forehead. “Okay, Nightingale. Calm down. Are you in pain?”

“No. Sometimes when I get upset, my head aches. It’ll go away.” I snuggled closer. “This helps. I don’t ever want to wake up without it again.”

His lips were warm on my temple. “Not happening. Ever. I’m never letting you go.”

My phone beeped, and I shut my eyes.

Adam rolled out of bed and got my bag, fishing out my phone. “Is Emma in town?”

“Yes. She’s in meetings all day about her new designs.”

“Does Sarah know that?”

“No.”

“Where’s Ronald?”

“Away on a business trip. He’s away a lot these days.”

“Good. That’s one less asshole to deal with today.” He grunted as his fingers moved over the keypad quickly. “That’ll buy us some time.”

“What did you say?”

“She now thinks you couldn’t sleep with all the wedding excitement, and you went to Emma’s early to have a spa day so you’d look nice for Bradley.”

The phone beeped, and he shook his head after reading the screen then tossing my phone back into my bag. “She’s reminding you she’s out this evening and that you have a final dress fitting.” Then he arched his eyebrow. “You won’t need that fitting. You aren’t going to need that dress.”

I met his steady gaze. “No, I won’t.”

The sunlight coming in the window glinted off the large diamond on my finger.

“Or that ring,” he added.

Nodding, I slid it off. Adam handed me my bag, and I tucked it into the side pouch. “I have to give it back and tell them all the wedding is off.” I hesitated, pleading with my eyes. “Will you come with me?”

“Absolutely.”

“Bradley’s going to be upset. I don’t think he’s totally innocent in all this, but I don’t know how much he knows.”

“I think he knows quite a bit.” He bent down close, meeting my eyes, his expression intense. “I’ve been in hell for months, aching for you. I’ve been without you, and that bastard kept you away from me. I woke up every day thinking you didn’t love me anymore. So frankly, I don’t give a fuck how upset he is. I owe him some pain.”