Page 76 of Protecting Hailey

Jager inhaled and blew out loudly through the phone. “Well, there’s a lot to unpack there, brother.”

“I know.”

“But it comes down to this. Are you willing to lose her because she’s disrupting your plans? Was the future you had imagined better than being with her?”

I shook my head. “No. Of course, not. The way she makes me feel is better than anything I could have hoped for, much less planned.”

“Then that’s your answer. As for us, we only want the best for you, Chris. Whether that’s being here in New York or halfway around the world. We’ll always have your back.”

My eyes stung, and I sniffed. Sitting up, I cleared my throat. “Thanks, Jag. You know I’d do the same for you.”

“I know that. Good luck, Chris. Call me back if you need to.”

“I will. Thanks, man.”

After hanging up the phone, I paced the bedroom floor. I’d been so worried about what to do, but Jager made me realize how simple the answer was. I’d follow that woman to the ends of the earth if it meant I could be with her. Enough moping around. It was time I got back to Hailey.

When I returned to the living room, Sam was gone. I checked the time. “Hey, you ready for breakfast?”

She smiled. “Yes. I thought you’d never ask.”

I chuckled and pulled her into the kitchen with me. She grabbed the carton of eggs, but I shook my head. “I think after a day like yesterday, we need pancakes.”

She groaned. “Yes. Pancakes sound perfect.”

I kissed her lips. “You’re perfect. I want you to know that I would do anything for you.”

She wrapped her arms around my neck. “I love you, too.” She kissed me again, slowly taking her time. When she pulled on my bottom lip, my stomach tightened. This woman drove me insane. My heart, my head, and every part of my body wanted to be in sync with hers. I wanted to show her how much she meant to me.

“Do you have any plans for the weekend?” I asked while bending her neck and running my tongue up to her jaw.

“Uh… I can’t think about what I have to do this afternoon when you kiss me like that.”

I grinned. “Me neither. But I want to plan something with you.”

I grabbed her hips and swayed them back and forth. “Let’s go Salsa dancing.”

Her eyes lit up. “Oh, I do love to salsa.”

“Perfect. I’ll take you to Puerto Rico where we can salsa all weekend.”

“Puerto Rico?” She pulled away and gaped at me. “Are you serious?”

“Absolutely?”

“Will we even find airline tickets on such short notice?”

I kissed her lips. “Darling, we won’t need tickets. We’ll take my private plane.”

Now she pushed back and blinked at me several times. “You have a private plane. Are you serious?”

I smiled. “Why do you keep asking me that?”

“Do you have a yacht, too?”

“Yes.”

She blinked again. “And how many homes do you own?”

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