Page 39 of Tyler

“Yes, the surgery will take about as long as your last two, and recovery is pretty quick like them as well. Why don’t you come in and we’ll talk about it. I can show you the research and you can decide.”

He blew out a breath. “Okay,” he said, and by the time he hung up, he had an appointment for the upcoming Monday.

“What’s up?” Gabe asked, a frown marring his forehead.

Still a little dazed, he blinked and lifted a shoulder. “She thinks she can get me to 20/40.”

“That’s fantastic,” his brother said, slapping his shoulder. “I’m so happy for you, Ty.”

He nodded. “Yeah. But it hasn’t happened yet. I’m going on Monday for a consultation.”

“Well, she hasn’t steered you wrong yet. Emily told us her sister was like a dog with a bone. Once she got her teeth into something, she didn’t let go until she was done.”

He smiled. “Sounds like Doc.”

“What will you do when it’s restored?” Gabe asked, releasing his shoulder. “You going to try to get back into the Navy? Reversing a medical discharge is tough but not impossible. I’ve seen it happen.”

He’d recently come to terms with the fact he was never going to get into a cockpit again. And now…

Ty inhaled and let it out slowly. “I don’t know.”

“And what about Piper?” Gabe lifted a brow. “You going to leave her behind?”

He blinked, his stomach bunching as if hit by an invisible fist. “No. I’m not leaving her.”

She was the best thing to ever happen to him. With her, he felt everything. Happiness, contentment, hunger, need, satisfaction…alive.

No. He wasn’t going to live without Piper.

A smile tugged at his brother’s mouth. “Didn’t think so.”

The urge to share the news with her shook through Ty. She would be here in a few minutes, but he wasn’t sure he could wait.

A second later, his phone started to ring, and when he pulled it from his pocket, he smiled at the screen. It was Piper. It was asif she knew he was eager to talk to her. “Hi,” he said, answering on the first ring. “Do you have sixth sense or something. I was just thinking about calling you.”

Gabe grinned and walked to his Tahoe a few feet away, giving him some privacy.

She laughed. “I don’t know about sixth sense. I wanted to let you know I just left the gallery and I’m on my way. Why, what did you want to talk to me about?”

As he filled her in about his phone call, he glanced down the block and across the street at the gallery in the distance. Warmth washed over him when he caught sight of her.

“Oh, Ty, that’s fantastic. I’m so happy for you,” Piper gushed.

“Thanks,” he said and watched as she neared. “We’ll talk more about it when you get here.”

She waved at him, and he waved back. “Okay, see you soon.”

Everything was lining up. He was about to have it all. He’d gone from desolate to euphoric in the space of nine days.

How had that happened?

He was still contemplating this as she stepped off the curb across the street from him, a smile lighting her beautiful face. The sound of an engine revving echoed in the air a second before a car came out of nowhere and was barreling straight for Piper.

His heart lurched, and the next five seconds happened in a blur.

“Piper! Watch out!” he called as he raced for her, knowing he’d never get there in time, but he had to try.

Chapter Nine

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