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Savannah follows them, but turns around before leaving. “You’ve got this. I’m sure Ian can help in more than one way.” She winks as I toss a pillow her way.
Chapter14
Ian
The blue haltergown brings out Emery’s eyes and gives vibrance to her hair. Her strands are curled, falling over her shoulders, and the makeup on her face is light enough to gently accent her features. She’s breathtaking and smells like a bakery.
I place my hand on the small of her back as we enter the ballroom, and she doesn’t flinch. I could hold her all night. She feels right. Like mine. Her smile’s held in place as her eyes dart around the room. By the stiffness in her walk, she’s nothing but nerves. I don’t blame her. Losing my parents was difficult, but I’m not the one facing a crowd of their friends, and holding the weight of their death as if responsible. My arm pulls her waist closer as she eyes the champagne table.
“Are you going to have a glass?” I lean down and murmur in her ear.
“I want one, but probably shouldn’t.”
“Take a deep breath.” Instinctively, I place a kiss on the top of her head, and she releases a shaky breath. “You don’t have anything to worry about. I’m right here.” She nods a little too fast.
“These people have known me since I was a child.” Emery takes a step forward, and I follow suit. “They all expected me to follow in my parents’ footsteps. Now, I just donate from afar.” She’s a donor?
“Don’t worry about what they think.” I glance around the crowd holding serious faces and overly fake laughs. “Some people just donate money for a tax write-off.”
“Come on, you’re aware of the cost it took to build this wing.” She smirks, leaning into me for comfort. I try to ignore my heart flip. “I might be the top contributor and why this got built, but as uptight as these people may look, andare,they fund most of the hospital.”
I refrain from asking the dollar amount, wondering what Emery’s contribution is. And she didn’t even care to show up tonight for recognition. “Why do you contribute each year?”
“My parents dedicated their lives to saving people.” Emery’s eyes lock on a distant group of people laughing about. “It’s not hard to believe they loved working more than they loved me. I always made them go out of their way to spend time with me. Then, everything crashed.Literally.” My heart squeezes for her as I tighten my hand on her hip. “I help fund this hospital with the insurance money I received after they died. Two separate life insurances from surgeons were quite hefty.” She swallows, tilting her head up so her eyes meet mine. “It’s not my money to carelessly spend. I used some for schooling and the move to Aspen, but I like knowing most of their funds are able to help people.”
That’s one hell of a beautiful heart for someone who tries to portray they don’t have one. I fight the urge to lean down and press my lips to hers. The simplicity of a gentle kiss to take away her pain, and thank her generous heart at the same time. Stepping in front of her, I place my hands on the sides of her face. For a moment, her eyes hold the innocence I once knew. The sweetgaze and smile she wore when her world was as perfect as it could get before graduation. The look that made me fall so damn hard for this girl only minutes after meeting her. She blinks, glancing to the side, that look instantly dissipating.
“I should find my aunt and shake a few people’s hands, then we can get the hell out of here.”
“Emery Davis?” an animated, older voice projects behind me. “Is that really you?” I turn, watching the guy give her body a scan.
“My looks haven’t changed since I left.”Well, your tits didn’t fill out this halter when you wore it to prom.I’ve been fighting to not give an obvious stare since I saw her.
She holds out her hand for a shake as he steps in for a hug. I stay close to Emery, protective over how she is with physical touch. Not to mention, after the altercation at the bar.
“Are you okay with him?” I ask her quietly and earn a glare from the dude. I don’t care what he thinks; Emery’s feeling safe comes first. Her hand gives my upper arm a squeeze with a smile of appreciation.
“I’m good, babe. Thanks.” The nickname rolls off her tongue and straight to my heart. It sounded too authentic, and like something I could never get tired of hearing. My dick awakens as I replay the feeling of her hand on me. Justin’s right. I’ve got it bad for this woman. I step to the side to give them privacy, but keep a close eye.
I observe their interaction, trying to go unnoticed as the silver-haired man proudly goes on about what the days were like when her parents had shifts together, and how Emery has been so generous with donations. Emery squares her shoulders, holding a humble expression. Bernard, which I overheard from Emery’s greeting, places both hands on Emery’s shoulders before pulling her into a hug. She awkwardly hugs him back, and as soon as they part, a lady approaches to carry on a similar conversation. Emery’s smile stays in place the whole time. How these people couldn’t tell she was faking every interaction beats me.
“How are you holding up?” I approach her the moment she has a free second.
“Just telling my parents’ friends exactly what they wanted to hear.” She sighs. “Same old, same old.”She steps closer, resting her body against my chest. I wrap my arms around her waist to pull her tighter. On her exhale, she melts into me, handing over some of the weight to carry.
“Your parents would be proud of you.” She stiffens as her head tilts up. She’s so close for me to lean down and kiss. But she rolls her eyes, strengthening her guard. I smile down at her, but she doesn’t believe me.
The people in charge gather everyone around to make their speech about this wing and the hospital contributors. Quinn is right by our side as tears prick her eyes. The stone-cold expression on Emery’s face remains in place as a blanket over a large photo of her parents is revealed.Applause fills the room as she forces a tight smile and glances at her aunt’s hand. Her pinky finger hooks around her aunt’s as Emery’s hand slides into mine.
“We’d like to thank Emery Davis as one of our top contributors.” One of the speakers raises their glass. “If not for your hefty funding over the years, this new wing would not have been built.” Emery shakes her head and nods up at me to get the focus off herself.
“Thank you.” She smiles shyly. “I may have helped with the funding, but I was not the one who put this into action.” There’s an awkward pause as Emery figures out what to say next. “Let’s give some applause to W&M Construction and the hospital team for helping and getting the right people in place to help make this happen.” Everyone claps, and they promptly cut the rope to open the new Davis Wing.
Rhett and I didn’t have a huge part in the build of this place, but he did the blueprints and we worked alongside another company to get this finished. People filter down the hall to check out the new wing, and Emery hangs back.
“Are you coming?” Quinn tucks a strand of hair behind her ear and smiles at Emery.
“I’ve seen what a hospital looks like.” Her auburn hair brushes against her shoulder as she shakes her head. “I’ve had enough peopling for tonight, if that’s okay.”
