Rick winced. “I’m not sure this is a great time. She’s—”
“I know.” Wren crouched down in front of her and watched her wring her hands until she rubbed them red. “You should probably go to the hospital. You could be in shock.”
She rocked back and forth while those hands kept moving. “I just want to go home and sleep for a week.”
“To your house.” He didn’t ask it as a question because he knew what she meant.
Without warning, she stood up. She reached out for him then dropped her hands. “I can’t do this, Wren. Not now.”
“I know.”
She shuffled her feet, moving only a bit at a time. “It’s just . . . everything is different.”
“Not you.” God, he had to believe that. She was so strong. If anyone could survive this, it would be her.
She looked at him then. The fear was reflected in her eyes and seemed to weigh down her muscles. “Including me.”
“I’ll get Caroline for you.”
She nodded. “Thanks.”
Because he couldn’t just walk away, he leaned in and kissed her cheek. Inhaled the scent he’d never smell again. “You’re going to be fine. It will take time, but you’ll get through”
“Will I?” She looked desperate to believe him.
“I promise.” Because he loved her.
CHAPTER 30
Eleven days later Emery stood by the desk in the hall outside of Wren’s office. At least she assumed that’s what waited behind the tall double doors. They were closed and she didn’t hear anything coming from inside.
Garrett stood beside her. “Are you sure about this?”
He reminded her of Wren. There was something strong and determined about both of them. They filled the space around them with confidence. Acted like they could handle any disaster that found them.
She used to think of herself as pretty resilient. Not anymore. “Honestly, I don’t know anything right now. I’ve tried not to think too much or make any decisions.”
Garrett let out a low noise, kind of like a hum. “Are the journalists leaving you alone?”
“Weirdly enough they’re being somewhat respectful.” That part didn’t make sense to her. At first, she had people camping out on her father’s lawn and her cell kept ringing. Caroline had to bring in volunteers to staff the phones at work.
Garrett laughed. “Not so weird.”
The truth hit her. She should have known. “Levi?”
“Of course.” Garrett glanced at the closed door then back to her. “He has people watching over you. Has called in favors to make sure others leave you alone. He’s basically reordered his life to protect you from afar.”
Guilt walloped her again. She should be used to the sensation. She’d been called names and more than one news story questioned how much she knew and when. The waves of punishing sadness and pressure of failed responsibility never stopped.
“I pushed him away.” And that was the hardest thing to deal with because it was such a mistake. Her biggest.
“He let you do it.” Garrett’s mood sobered. “He thinks he deserves it.”
Every word stabbed at her. Brought more pain. “Does he know I’m here?”
“I didn’t tell him you called.”
For some reason that made her feel worse. “Is he going to be angry?”
“I’m hoping it’s a fucking wake-up call before he works himself to death.”
His tone lightened the darkness churning inside her. “Meaning?”
“He hasn’t stopped for a second, Emery. He misses you and is trying to work the feeling away.”
So much destruction. “Did he say that?”
“He didn’t have to. I know him.” Garrett went to the door and wrapped his fingers around the handle. “I hope you stick around long enough for me to get to know you, too.”
“That depends on him.”
Garrett smiled. “Then I’ll definitely see you again.”
Wren heard the door and tried to ignore it, like he’d ignored everything but work and Emery’s safety for the last eleven days. He pushed until he exhausted himself. He went home each night, showered and climbed onto the couch. He didn’t have much interest in his bedroom without her there.
He didn’t look up. “I said I didn’t want to be bothered.”
The door clicked shut. “I asked Garrett to make an exception for me.”
Wren’s head shot up. He looked and blinked and waited for the vision of her to vanish. But she still stood there. “Emery?”
“You look terrible.” The sadness in her voice mirrored the sadness in her eyes.
“How are you?” He regretted the words as soon as they were out. “Forget that. I know the answer. I shouldn’t have said—”
“Levi, let me talk.” She took a step toward his desk then another.
“Okay.” And he’d take it. No matter what she launched at him, he’d let it happen.
“The last few days have been a whirlwind, if they have those in hell. My father insists on seeing me, but I’m not ready.”