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“He never really said anything directly, but he took me to counseling for more than a year.”
His brows drew together. “I remember that. I thought it was because of your mom.”
She shook her head.
“The bracelet. That’s why you’re always wearing it,” he said, his eyes lighting with realization.
“I had gone five years without relapsing before Dad . . . well . . . and then lately it’s been . . . hard,” she admitted. After the hell she’d put him through, he deserved answers.
“This is my fault.”
“No!” Her stern voice even caused her surprise. She lifted her arm to his cheek this time, locking eyes with Link. “This was in no way your fault. I made these decisions. I wasn’t trying to . . . end my life . . . just the pain.”
He tipped his forehead to meet hers. His sweet breath was tinged with hints of coffee.
“When I . . . when I cut myself, it didn’t hurt inside as much.”
“Em—” He choked. “When I found you, I thought—I thought I was too late.”
She pulled back. “You found me?”
He nodded grimly. “I came to tell you I was so wrong. That I love you. And I want you in my life. I’ll give up the shop. We can go on the road together. I’ll be there for you. Take care of you.”
Her heart thundered in her chest. Was Link saying what she thought he was saying? “You love me?”
“Yes.”
“Like love me, love me? Or . . .?”
He kissed her forehead. “I loved you like a sister.” His lips melded over her mouth, his kiss resuscitating her body, as if breathing life and color back into her world. “And now I love you with every fiber in my body. You’re part of me. What I feel for you, I’ve never felt for another person.”
She sucked in a sharp breath, her mind spinning with the revelation. She’d hoped for so long, and now he was giving her the words she needed to hear. “You came here to tell me you loved me and were coming on the road with me?” she clarified, still not able to believe it.
Hesitation flashed in his eyes.
“What?”
“I came here to tell you I loved you. But now I see how much you need me.”
Oh. He’s giving up the garage to take care of me? “That garage is your passion. It’s a part of you. I didn’t see it before, but you can’t abandon your dreams for me. It’s Dad’s legacy.”
“You’re more important,” he said.
She took a deep breath, eyes dropping to the bed before she scooted over to one side, flinching through the pain.
“You okay? Do you need me to get the nurse?” he asked, concern marring his features.
“I need you to lie with me.”
“Won’t I hurt you?”
She shook her head. “Just don’t touch my arms.”
He slid onto the bed, scooting his arm under her neck and situating himself on the tiny mattress, so as not to squish her. She lay against him, inhaling his scent as comfort wafted over her. Her eyelids grew heavy as she snuggled into his chest, listening to his heartbeat.
“We’ll get through this together,” he promised, his voice rumbling.
She closed her eyes, savoring this moment. But guilt tainted her happiness at having Link here with her.
