Page 94 of The Bodyguard

“No. I mostly lived in the DC suburbs. My dad lived in Pennsylvania, but Mom lived in Northern Virginia. That was home, really. Where did you live that was like this?”

“It was someplace a long time ago…” The raw edge in his voice caught her off guard. “When I was in the Marines.”

She shifted closer.

“You don’t talk about the Marine Corps much.” Or ever. That was fine. Some former members of the military did. Others didn’t. Heartbreaking stories came from war. She’d learned not to ask questions.

Sawyer let out a long breath. “I don’t.”

And it was apparent that wouldn’t change tonight. “Where did you live?”

“Annapolis.” His thousand-yard stare lost its focus far beyond the fountains. “I lived in a little house there. Had a nice little life going for me…” He rubbed a hand over his face and then shifted his complete attention toward her. “I was married, Angela.”

Her eyes widened. Of all the confessions he might make, that one wasn’t on a mile-long list. Her lips parted, but nothing came out.

“I married my high school girlfriend.” His jaw ticked in an almost painful, completely heartbroken way. “Her name was Penny, and we were married.” The past clouded his eyes. He pinched the bridge of his nose and took a deep breath. “And she was pregnant with my son. I lost them both during childbirth.”

Immediately, tears welled in her eyes. “Sawyer…”

He swallowed hard. “It was a long time ago. I was young.” Sawyer hoarsely whispered, “So damn young.”

Angela laid her hand over his. How did the food truck vendors, singers, and passersby continue as though life was normal when his pain was palpable enough to shake the streets? “I am so sorry.”

He turned his palm upward and laced his fingers with hers. The fountains danced. Light caught the spray as it shot up and fell, splashing with an even pattern.

“Did you have a name for your son?” she asked, not sure if she should. Sawyer had decided to tell her his story, but it didn’t feel as if he were finished.

“William Gregory.”

Pain squeezed her throat; she squeezed his hand. “I like that.”

“It’s a good name,” he said. “A strong name. My kid fought like hell. They both did.” Sawyer licked his lips. “Medicalnegligence. Malpractice. That’s what they call it when the doctor screws up.”

My kid.Now Angela understood. His earlier words replayed in her mind.If I could give you all of me, I would in a heartbeat, but I don’t know how.Sawyer didn’t do long-term relationships because he had before and gone through hell. She wouldn’t fault him for self-preservation.

“I’m not stuck in the past, Ange.” He rolled his bottom lip into his mouth. “I’m not carrying a torch for Penny. It’s been more than a decade since they passed. But the idea of hurting like that again…” He cleared his throat. “I told you earlier, I haven’t been pretending. I’m giving you as much as I’ve got left.”

Pretending had been such an awful lie. She couldn’t even imagine how it seemed okay to say. She’d been guarding her barely wounded heart when he’d lived through hell.

Sawyer stood up and pulled her onto her feet. He wrapped his arms around her and pressed a long, lingering kiss to the top of her head. “Now that I’ve saddled you with that—”

“Don’t.” She shook her head and then rested her chin against his sternum. “You can share with me; it will never be a burden.”

“All right. Understood.” The corners of his mouth lifted as though he was tired enough to sleep for a hundred years. “Are you ready to walk back?”

“Only if you are.”

His eyes closed. Sawyer hugged her tight again and then took her hand. Together, they retraced their steps past the food trucks and street performers. It took walking a block, maybe two, before the heavy hold of the past dissipated.

A light breeze skimmed over her shoulders. The wind was cool and clean. Life was ever-changing. A kaleidoscope. Their history would always be part of them. She couldn’t forget her years in Pham’s captivity. Sawyer couldn’t forget his first loveand son. Experience colored their path now, and she understood that more now that he’d opened up.

They arrived on their floor. Sawyer walked her to her door. “This was an amazing night,” she said.

“It had its ups and downs.” He chuckled. “Do you still want our…” Sawyer gestured between them. “Situation to continue after everything tonight?”

How could he even ask? She would have as much of him as he could give. No matter that heartbreak was looming, no matter what the logical part of her brain said, she needed to be with him. “Yes. You?”

“I can’t give you everything you deserve.”

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