Page 69 of Saving His Heart
For the first time in hours, I allow myself a moment to pretend this is real, and I relax as a smile fights to break free.I can give him this.When he leaves me, I’ll figure out how to pick myself up because I know devastation is in my near future.
“On two conditions.”
Preston’s head whips back in laughter. “I wouldn’t expect anything less from you, Goldie. What are your ground rules this time, love?”
Love?
“There has to be an iron-clad, no exceptions pre-nup—”
“No. What is your other demand?”
I’m so shocked my words come out in a stutter.
“Wh-What do you mean no? This isn’t negotiable, Preston. I will leave with everything I came here with, plus my fee for taking care of you until six weeks ago.”
“Six weeks ago? What the hell are you talking about?”
“You stopped treatment, Preston. I’m not doing anything for you now except being your fake girlfriend. You can’t pay me for that.”
“There is nothing fake about this, Emory.” He stands suddenly, but it’s his volume as he yells that has me pulling back onto the bed. “This is not fake for me, Emory. I don’t know when it stopped, but this is us. This is real to me. Are you saying you don’t feel the same way?”
“No, I-I just have to protect myself, Preston. You’re dying. My heart is going to shatter when that happens. I can’t deal with a legal fight on top of that when your family comes after me for taking advantage of the situation. No matter how much you want it to be different, that is what people are going to say.”
“This has nothing to do with anyone but you and me,” he says on a sigh, then takes a seat next to me. “My family isn’t like that either, Emory. No matter what happens, they will always be there for you. I know you haven’t known them long, but that is the one thing I am always sure of. They are going to take care of you.”
“But—”
“I’ll talk to my lawyer tomorrow and see what we can do. What’s your other demand?” I can tell by his body language he is trying to appease me.
“Preston, I’m serious. I will not marry you without the prenup.”
“Point made. What else?” he says curtly.
This is going to be an even bigger ask. I try to pull away before I speak, but he clamps his hand down on my thigh, holding me in place. Before I can say anything, he slides me closer and pulls me up, so I’m straddling him.
“Tell me,” he demands.
“Y-You have to tell your family, Preston. Give them the chance to say good-bye to you properly. It isn’t fair to them. You’ve had all these years to write them letters, to tell them how much you love them. Don’t they deserve that same chance at closure?”
Tears roll down his face as he gives an almost imperceptible nod.
“Okay,” he whispers, pulling me into a hug so tight it’s hard to breathe. “But not until after Trevor’s wedding. I don’t want to ruin their day, especially since they are getting married on Thanksgiving. That’s always been my mom’s favorite holiday. Lanie and Dex aren’t getting married until next month, so hopefully, we’ll have time to get it all out and not ruin their day either.”
“Okay.”
Pulling back, he looks into my eyes. “Okay? Is that a yes?”
Nodding like a fool as tears stream down my face, I say, “It’s a yes.”
This feels more real, more honest, than anything I’ve ever done in my life.
* * *
“Wake up,Ems. We have a lot to get done today,” Preston says with the energy of a little boy on Christmas morning.
Opening my eyes, I find that once again, I’m sprawled out on top of Preston.
“My little heat-seeking missile,” he jokes. “Come on, a lawyer will be here in an hour for the prenup you’re insisting on. Then we have to run to the town hall to pick up our marriage license, and don’t forget our appointments at the bridal shop this afternoon.”
