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“Preston, I want you to take care of my Paige,” he tells me. “She’s the most special girl in the world. They don’t make them like her. She’s got the biggest heart you’ll ever find. You’ll never be without love and sass with that one.”
“Of course, Harry. She’s stuck with me.” I squeeze her shoulders.
Harry nods in approval and addresses Paige. “You take care of Preston. He pretends he’s made of steel, but inside, he’s a gooey cinnamon roll, as Evelyn says. Whatever the hell that means. You two never stop giving each other hell, you hear?”
Paige laughs. “I wish Mom could have met him.”
Harry coughs. “Meet him? Bug, she probably sent him for you. She’s always with us, watching over us. She had a hand in this fix up.”
“In the sunrises and sunsets,” she whispers with a sad smile.
“She and I love you so much. You have been the best thing in our lives,” he says softly.
And then he’s gone. The pain in Paige’s eyes makes my heart break. We all cry softly together and sit with him until Paige indicates she’s ready to leave.
“Let’s go home,” I say softly.
When we get to my house, I tuck Paige into my bed. She falls into a deep sleep, curling onto her side. Theo paces around her, worried. He finally curls into her and lays his head on her.
“Keep an eye on her, Theo,” I say, softly petting his head.
I get Evelyn settled in one of the guest bedrooms, then make some calls for arrangements. For now, Paige just needs to sleep.
Later, I slide into bed next to Paige and wrap my arms around her. She leans into me, and we sleep like that for hours.
When I wake up, she’s staring at me. She smiles sadly.
“Hi,” I say softly.
“Hi,” she whispers back.
“Hungry?” I ask.
She shrugs.
“I’m going to make dinner.” But just as I head to the kitchen, my doorbell rings. It’s Sasha, with her arms full of pans of food.
“I made you guys a few things you can heat up over the next few days.”
“I’m so glad to see you,” I say, giving her a hug. “I was just going to scrounge up some dinner.”
“I’ve got you covered,” she says. “Where’s Paige?”
“Lying down.” I nod toward the bedroom.
“We’re all so sorry about Harry.”
I take the trays from her and invite her in.
“I love your place,” she tells me. “Someday, Pete and I will take you up on that steak dinner.”
“We would love that. When Paige is ready.”
She smiles warmly. I’m happy everyone approves of Paige and me being together.
“Just a heads-up, everyone is dying to bring things, do things, and come by,” she says. “But food first. Comfort food can’t fix a broken heart, but it helps a little.”
“That it does. I appreciate you, and I know Paige will as well.” I give her a hug, and she takes off.
