Page 37 of Exes and Oh Hell No

“Breathe, Harper.” His face is full of concern, but his eyes…Oh, God, the emotion in his eyes.

“In for a count of four and hold… slowly out for a count of eight.”

He demonstrates, and I automatically mimic him, mesmerized by the feral possessiveness mixed with deep devotion in those beautiful orbs.

Ah. Sweet oxygen.

I keep my eyes locked with his, breathing with him.

He’s always coming to my rescue.

Even after all this time apart, he’s still the same Ford I’ve known for nineteen years, doing what he does best.Saving me.

Dread coils inside like a snake.

Deep regret fills me.

I let him go.

Tears prick my eyes as I forget how to breathe, and the oxygen fades again.

Hysteria rises, threatening to overcome me, as spots fill my vision.

“I’m sorry,” I murmur, unable to tell him what I’m sorry for.

I’m sorry I let you go.

I’m sorry I ruined us.

And then the blackness drags me under.

14

FORD

Istare at her beautiful face, anguish rolling through me in waves.

Harper lies in my arms, long lashes resting on her cheek, passed out.

I check her breathing and her pulse again.

Relief buzzes through me when I feel her soft breath on my face and the faint humming of her pulse.

“Harper,” my voice cracks as I gently shake her. “Come on. Wake up.” My body temperature shoots up as panic races through me. “Please.”

I feel Connor beside me, but I don’t look up.

Gram’s quiet footsteps stop in front of me. “Ford. Raise her legs above her heart.”

Connor sets the water on the table, taking care of putting her legs on the back of the couch. “I gotcha, bud.”

“Thanks.” I glance at him briefly before returning my attention to her.

A slight moan comes from her lips.

“Harper?”

Long lashes flutter a few times before opening, locking onto mine. “F-Ford?”

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