Page 70 of Saved from Obsession

Home. There was no question about me coming back with Leo. As for staying after I’ve recovered? We didn’t exactly discuss it, not with the chaos of the hospital and police visits and my frequent naps and tests and visitors.

I know I was adamant about living on my own for a while, but after everything I’ve been through, everythingLeohas been through—I know I’m not the only one who suffered—it doesn’t seem quite as important to me.

But I only just got here, so there’s no rush to figure everything out right away. Right now, I’m happy to change into comfy clothes and snuggle with Leo and take a nap without any doctors or nurses disturbing me.

As I step into Leo’s apartment, the last of my stress falls away from me. Even though I knew everything was okay while I was in the hospital, that Frank was in jail and the threats against me were finally over, I couldn’t fully relax. It was like my brain understood, but my body was still on alert, anticipating danger.

But now it’s really hitting me. All the months of putting my life on hold, of the constant fear and anxiety—it’sreallyover. I’m free.

Free to be with Leo however I want. Outside. Taking trips. Visiting our families. All the everyday things like grocery shopping and restaurants and sitting down to tell each other about our days. I’m free to have a life with Leo without anything holding me back.

The sheer relief and happiness of it brings tears to my eyes.

“Georgia, what’s wrong?” Leo moves in front of me, cupping my face gently. “Do you need another pain pill?” His brows come down, eyes narrowing with worry. “I shouldn’t have let you walk all this way. I knew it was too much for you.”

Before I can protest, he’s lifting me into his arms. “Leo, no,” I start, and heshushesme. “You need to rest,” he says as he carefully lowers me to the couch. “I’ll call Cole to come look at you now.”

“Leo,wait.“ I catch his hand as he’s turning to reach for a pillow, pushing myself back up so I’m sitting. “I’m okay. That’s not why—“ Patting the couch cushion next to me, I say, “I teared up because I’m just sohappy.”

He hesitates a moment before sitting down, still eyeing me with concern. “Are you sure? If you’re hurting, just tell me. I won’t freak out.”

My eyebrows jump up to my hairline. “Well,” he concedes, “nottoomuch, at least.”

“I’ll tell you if my headache gets worse. I promise.” Snuggling into Leo’s side, I rest my cheek on his chest. “I think I finally realized it’s all truly over. That we can do whatever we want without hiding. And I’m just so relieved and happy about it.”

“Ah, Georgia.” His voice softens, and he strokes a finger down my cheek. “I’m so happy too.”

Leaning against Leo, in the exact place I dreamed of, my fatigue finally catches up with me. My eyelids start to droop and a yawn nearly cracks my jaw. “Leo,” I yawn again, sleep coming up on me quickly. “I think I’m tired now.”

His arm curves around me and I’ve never felt safer. “Do you want to go to bed?”

“No. I want to stay here.” I’m basically sprawled across him now, using his body as a giant pillow. “With you.”

“Okay, sweetheart.” Leo shifts so he’s laying on the couch, adjusting me so I’m draped across him. Big arms draw me into his embrace, gentle but keeping me steady. I’m not worried about hitting the back of my head or falling off the couch—I know Leo isn’t letting me go anywhere.

This.Thisis what I was waiting for.

“I’ve got you,” he whispers. And I let myself sleep.

* * *

I jerk awake with a gasp,eyes flying open, my heart thumping erratically.

“Hey, it’s okay.” Leo is crouched on the floor in front of me, rubbing my arm gently. “It was just a dream, Georgia. You’re okay.”

I don’t even remember what I was dreaming about. All that’s left is a vague, unsettled feeling. But judging from my racing pulse and Leo’s concerned gaze, it was probably another nightmare. “Was I yelling?” I ask him, hoping I wasn’t. He’s already worried enough about me without adding violent nightmares to the mix.

“No, sweetheart.” He sits on the couch and gathers me into his arms, settling me onto his lap. “But you were whimpering and moaning.”

Oh. Not great, but it could be worse.

“I only got up for fifteen minutes or so,” he says apologetically. “Just to answer some calls.”

“It’s okay. Really.” As much as I want Leo near me—need to have him close right now—I don’t want him to think he has to be glued to my hip. “I don’t even remember it.” Glancing out the window, I notice the sun has started to drop in the sky. “How long was I asleep?”

“A few hours.” His lips press to my forehead. “You needed the rest.” He pauses and takes a deep breath. “With the nightmare, and everything… How are you feeling? Not physically, but with everything else. What you went through…”

“I’m…” I take a few moments to collect all the thoughts that have been spinning through my head the last two days. “It’s hard to explain,” I start, “But even though parts of it are hard to think about, the relief that it’s all over is so great it makes everything else feel so muchless.”

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