Page 54 of Johnathan

Strong hands grabbed both of her arms and she blinked the bakery back into focus.

“Abby? You okay?” Sebastian’s gray eyes were locked on her, concern written on his face.

“Y-yes. I just got lost in thought.”

“Why don’t you sit down for a minute. Are you not good with blood, either?” Abby had never had that aversion, but her stomach did feel weirdly queasy.

“No. I’m fine, really. I just need to get back upstairs. Lots to do… John and I are going out tonight… oh, please don’t say anything to Sam.” She looked at Emma, who nodded with a weak smile. “I need to get ready for that.”

“I really think?—”

Abby gave Emma a small wave before grabbing her bag off the chair and all but running out of the bakery. She climbed the stairs, air becoming harder and harder to get into her lungs until she forced the key into the lock and fell into her living room.

John would be lying if he said Sebastian’s call hadn’t scared the shit out of him. The two had been keeping in contact about Marco and the ongoing investigation into the Santoro crime family. When he’d answered the call, he’d been expecting information about that. Not that Sebastian was in the bakery with Emma and he’d just watched a panicked Abby run to her apartment.

He said goodbye to Katy, who he was in the middle of dropping off at his mother’s house for the night, before runningto his truck and driving over to Main Street faster than he should have.

There was just something in his gut telling him he needed to get to her. Fuck, his heart wasn’t going to calm down until she was in his arms. Slamming the truck door shut, John ran around the back and up the stairs to Abby’s apartment.

The first knock went unanswered, and John drew in a ragged breath, trying to stop the instinct to kick down the door. The second time, he knocked more forcefully and waited. Finally, he heard the chain sliding and the door opened to reveal a sleep-rumpled Abby standing in front of him.

But she couldn’t have been sleeping. There wasn’t enough time between the call from Seb and his arrival there for her to.

Abby ran into his arms and before he could register the tears streaming down her face, she pressed her lips against his. Holy fuck, she was kissing him again. It was everything he remembered it being. Her lips were so fucking soft and warm.

John thought maybe it was a fluke the first time he felt it, but that kiss sealed the deal. He finally understood what Jackson meant when he said that kissing Grace was like coming home, because that’s exactly what it felt like with Abby. Finally being home. Finally being with his other half. Finally being at peace.

Slowly, he pulled away. Her eyes went wide as she swiped at her cheeks, red rapidly building on her pale skin.

“I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have done that. I just assaulted you.”

“Trust me, beautiful, I’ve been thinking about doing that every minute of the day since we kissed last week. Was maybe even planning on doing it tonight on our date.”

“And I stole the moment. I’m so sorry, I don’t know what’s wrong with me.”

“Baby,” John pushed her hair behind her ear before he placed his thumb under her chin to raise her face towards him. “Anytime you want to take the lead, that’s fine by me.”

“I’m not usually like that. I wasn’t expecting it to be you at the door and I was just happy to see you standing there, I guess.”

“Who were you expecting it to be? Why are you crying?”

“It’s nothing. I don’t even know. I think you giving me permission to cry the other night just sort of opened the floodgates.” A smile flashed across her face, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “Actually, what are you doing here? We aren’t going out for a few more hours, right?”

“Sebastian called me. Said you left the bakery upset. I came to make sure you’re okay.”

“He shouldn’t have bothered you. I’m fine. I promise.” Her eyes drifted down his body. “You’re still in your uniform.”

“I was dropping Katy off. Grace had her from school pickup, but my mom is working on something for the Christmas pageant and she needed me to bring her over right after I got done with work. There’s never a dull moment when you have kids to shuffle from place to place.”

“Wow.”

“Sometimes it feels like I’m juggling a mini-celebrity’s schedule with all the places Katy goes every day. She’s busier than I ever was at that age.”

“It’s good that she has so many people in her life.”

“I guess you’re right. That’s a good way to look at it.”

“You know, I just realized you kissed me while in your uniform, Deputy. I thought that was a no-no.”

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