Page 43 of Salvation

Thank god.

Before I even have time to process, the two are a jumping, screeching mess. “Oh, my god!”

“I missed you so bad!”

“When did you get here?”

“Are those hisclothes?”

Vivienne practically whisper-shouts that last one, her eyes bouncing between the two of us. Blake looks ready to throttle her best friend, not as oblivious to the fact that I can hear them. Sheisin my clothes. Where she slept inmyhouse. Inmybed. And goddamn if I don’t want to take her right back to the bedroom and rip that top right off her body until she’s a screaming, weeping mess beneath me. The shirt is three sizes too big, falling right above her knees. The thought of Marshall sneering at Blake’s attire yesterday has me seeing red. I knew from the stories that he didn’t deserve her, but I didn’t realize just how bad it was. This woman could walk around in a garbage bag and still steal the very breath from my lungs.

I went over there last night with the intention to apologize for being an overbearing dick. The last thing she needs is me dictating her love life, even if I loathe the idea of Haden getting anywhere near her. The things we said… I couldn’t stop pacing when I got home. Couldn’t concentrate on work or even a stupid TV show until I went over there and made things right. I still need to apologize, but I’m glad I got there when I did. Seeing Blake pop her ex in the mouth may just be the highlight of my week. Life is more like it.

At the reminder that I’m here, she turns her honey-brown eyes on me. A little smile graces her pink lips, and I hate the way my heart skips a beat. “Hi.”

Her eyes are still puffy from the night before, but she seems much more at ease. Whether that’s from Vivienne’s presence or from sleeping like a rock on my chest, I couldn’t tell. I’m just glad she’s better than when I found her. "Sleep, okay?” I ask.

She nods, scrunching her eyebrows and turning back to Vivienne. “Does Whitney know you’re here?”

I pull my eyes from Blake to look at Vivienne. “You know Whitney?”

“No, she doesn’t.” Vivienne replies before turning her attention on me. “She’s my sister.”

Now,thatI wasn’t expecting. It’s easy to see now, the dark hair and big, round eyes. The two aren’t identical by any means, but it’s obvious to anyone passing by that they’re sisters.

“Well, shit. Congratulations on-"

“Making it here!” Blake interrupts me with a high-pitched enthusiasm that has me raising my eyebrows. “Was the flight horrible? I know you hate planes.” Blake pulls her in for another bone-crushing hug and gives me a look over her shoulder that just screams ‘Don’t you dare mention that her sister is pregnant you gigantic fucking idiot.’

I give a subtle nod. Noted. Vivienne doesn’t know that she’s going to be an aunt soon. I clap my hands, deciding to help Blake out with our little hiccup. “Everyone want breakfast?”

***

I’m flipping a pancake when Blake creeps up beside me. I peek at her, seeing her set a near-empty coffee mug on my counter. “Did you get enough coffee? I can make you another cup.”

“I just want to say thank you for last night. And I wanted to apologize for yesterday.”

I turn off the stove, registering that this isn’t going to be a conversation about coffee. I set everything aside to give her my full attention and in hopes of not burning anyone’s breakfast. “Blake. You don’t need to-"

“I do.” She cuts me off with a shake of her head. “You…you were right. I don’t need another douchebag. You were protecting me. Even…” She sucks in a breath. “Even after all this time. Aftereverything.You still are. So, thank you.”

As if I need any other reason to be pining after this woman, my heart fucking melts when she gets on her toes to kiss my cheek. She goes to move away, but I’m quicker. My hand shoots out to grab the back of her head, holding her just mere inches away from my face. I tilt her head just a little bit to meet my eyes. Her warm breath grazes my own when she gasps, and when she licks her lips, I have to refrain from running my thumb over her plump bottom lip. Seeing tears stain these cheeks just 24 hours ago…it makes me want to rip this fucking town apart.

“I’m sorry too, sweetheart.” Not just for my words or my actions, but for everything that’s been burdening her. She straightens, releasing herself from my grip and lifting her chin at me. Seemingly trying to shake off the tension that’s crackling in the air between us.

“All is forgiven.” She glances toward the pan and raises an eyebrow. “So long as you don’t burn my pancakes.”

I don’t miss the extra swish in her hips as she leaves me in the kitchen.

Chapter 43

Blake

“What if she tells me to get the fuck out?”

I roll my eyes at Vivienne. She has been panicking the entire way to the coffee shop. Nervously twisting her fingers, playing with her earrings, and pulling at the threads on her pants. “For the hundredth time, Viv. She’s going to be ecstatic. Trust me.”

I couldn’t be happier that she was here. I needed her more than I realized after this shitshow of a week. I’m glad that she’ll finally get to find out about her soon-to-be niece or nephew. WhatI was nervous about was how Vivienne would react to me knowing Whitney was pregnant, and not telling her. I nearly pissed my pants when Wesley almost let it slip.

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