Page 224 of Waiting Game

“She did.” Eyes flickering between us, he clearly sees a way to right all the wrongs I made.

But, I won’t let him take that route.

“Even though it’s far too soon, I love him. I wasn’t about to leave him until the fire department showed up.”

“Your guns are gonna ache tomorrow.” Liam’s gaze darts between us, though Gracie’s at the center of his focus. “I guess you’re the reason he’s been gaining weight?”

Cole stacks his hands on his hips. “I am standing here, you know?”

“He hasn’t put on that much!”

“Twenty pounds,” Gracie tacks on, her expression contemplative as she maintains that hyperfocused stare.

My brows lift but he shrugs. “Is a man not allowed to be happy? Anyway, it’s mostly muscle.”

“And, apparently, it’s all centered in your ass,” Liam crows.

Gracie elbows him again. “Shut up. We could have lost him tonight if it weren’t for Mia.” I can see she’s having a hard time reconciling what she perceives me to be with that.

Even Liam’s smirk fades at her reasoning.

“The firefighters would have saved him.”

I think.

The idea that they might not have has me freezing in place.

My lungs feel like they’re seizing as anxiety crawls over me. Something that only takes a deeper hold when the memory of the fire meeting Chuck’s ancient rug flashes before my eyes.

“Mia?”

Cole’s concerned tone snaps me back, but it doesn’t stop me from rubbing my arms where goose bumps have gained ground.

“I wasn’t about to risk waiting for the firefighters.”

I’d have figured out how to tear off the goddamn window frame if need be.

“Because you love me,” Cole preens, strutting over to me and dropping to my side as he nuzzles me deeper into the corner so I literally have no room.

Instead of feeling suffocated, I feel surrounded. In a good way.

I rest my head on his shoulder. “I do, even if it’s madness.”

“It’s not madness. I’m awesome.”

“You have a too-high opinion of yourself,” Liam chides.

“He’s awesome,” Gracie agrees, ignoring her fiancé. Then, right at me, she spits, “Too good for you.”

Each word’s like a knife to the heart.

“Gracie, don’t.”

I can’t cry anymore so I nod at her. “I know.”

“Mia! You’reeverything. Don’t you listen to her.”

His defense of me has me shielding my face with my fingers.

---