Page 118 of From West, With Regret

Her phone pings in her pocket, and she pulls it free, reading a message on the screen.

“What is it?”

“Girls’ chat.” She holds her phone up. “They were asking if you’d been discharged yet.”

“Oh.”

“And to let me know they’re finished.”

“Finished with what?”

She scrunches her nose, then smiles. “I think they did a little welcome home decorating and what not. I believe Holt and Asher were dragged into it, too.”

“Nice, but I’m surprised they convinced Holt into helping. Considering he’s been a little quiet these past few days.”

“I noticed that, too.” She frowns. “Do you know what that’s about?”

I shrug. “No. He’s messaged to ask how I’m doing but otherwise hasn’t said much. Maybe the other night fucked him up like the rest of us.”

“Could be.” She nods as she types out a quick reply, then drops her phone back into her pocket. “So, are you ready?”

She grabs my hands and helps me stand. I’m careful not to put too much pressure on my foot. She hands me the single crutch I’m supposed to use for the first two weeks of my six-week healing journey. I stick it under my armpit and lean on it.

“Are you good?” She hooks her arm under mine, and her eyes spread wide with worry. Her hand rests gently at my side, steadying me as though she thinks I might topple over at any moment.

I’m more than good.

I stare into her gray eyes, seeing every memory playing out in her mind. The bad. The good. The agony. The beauty.

I tuck her long, black hair behind her ear. “Have I ever told you how gorgeous you are?”

She rolls her eyes.

“I mean it, London.” I lower my voice. “You aren’t just gorgeous on the outside. Every inch of you is beautiful. Your soul. All of it.”

Her bottom lip quivers as she sucks in a breath of air.

“You once told me that losing your memories felt like you were wandering in the darkness alone.” I continue. “Losing you made me feel the same way. Regaining your memories brought you into the light. Finding you brought me out of my darkness.”

My heart skips a beat, and I can’t wait. I can’t wait to giveher the life I always promised her. I can’t wait to live the rest of my life with London.

My girl. She’s always been my girl.

I press my lips to her mouth before placing a kiss to her forehead, where I breathe her in, lingering for a few moments. Then I reluctantly pull away.

“Let’s go home, Dimples.”

THIRTY-FOUR

LONDON

The Next Day

“We don’t have to do this today,” West offers, grunting as he stabs the tip of his crutch onto the curb, lifting himself up and out of the car while trying to put as little pressure on his broken leg as possible.

I roll my eyes and hook my hand under his arm to steady him. “I know, my love.”

His blue eyes shoot up. I’ve never called him that before, but I think I like the sound of it. So does West, apparently. His face lights up and he gives me that panty-melting grin I’ve fallen for a million times over.

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