“It’s fine. Are you okay? What was it about?” I ask, noticing how dull his once-bright eyes look.
“It was nothing. Just a stupid dream,” he mutters, brushing my forehead with a kiss.
I prop myself up, looking down at him. “Colt, it was a nightmare. Please talk to me.”
He exhales, swallowing. “It’s stupid. I dreamt I was a match for Caleb. The transplant went great, but on our way home, we were in a wreck and—” He stops, closing his eyes.
My chest tightens. It’s clearly shaken him.
“Go on…”
He meets my eyes, the weight in his gaze unsettling. “You died. I saw your body, lifeless on the road. I tried to help, but Caleb was crying in the car. I had to choose. I left you to help him, but when I turned back… you were gone. Just blood. Everywhere. But you weren’t there. I kept searching. That’s when you woke me up.”
I realize I’ve stopped breathing. Gasping, I reach for him. He closes his eyes again, like he’s reliving it.
“Hey… I’m here. I’m fine. I haven’t gone anywhere. I promise.”
His hand caresses my cheek, eyes shimmering like he’s holding back tears. “I can’t lose you. You know that, right?”
“You won’t.” I promise it as if it’s law.
He nods, kissing me, pulling me into him. I kiss him back, hard. He needs it. And maybe I do too. My lashes wet with unshed tears, I pull back. His frazzled expression is calmer now. The tension’s fading.
“Didn’t mean to scare you,” he says as I settle beside him.
“You didn’t scare me. You may have squished me, but I can handle that.”
“I’d better get ready to be tested.”
A wave of unease washes over me. I hate that Colt has to do this. I wish Macy had never shown up. But wishes don’t changereality. I kiss his chest as he unwraps his arm, sits up, and heads for the ensuite. I lie back and just breathe.
He gets dressed, and before long, Hux is at the door to take him to the hospital. I decide to stay home.
I kiss Colt goodbye and wish him luck. I know he wanted me there, but this part—this whole other-family part—I don’t want to be part of that. Not yet. If he needs surgery, I’ll be there. But right now? I have got to get my head straight.
As I watch Hux and Colt drive away, Princess curls at my feet. I scoop her up and close the door. She looks like she’s smiling, and no matter how crappy I feel, she’s always there.
There’s someone else I can count on too.
I grab my phone and call Joseph. As it rings, I walk into the music room and slump onto the white sofa.
“It’s my goddess. How are you?” he answers.
Hearing his voice? I fall apart. Tears burst free as sobs take over. I can’t even speak.
Princess jumps up, settling in my lap, trying to comfort me.
“Is it the surrogacy? Is that why you’re upset?”
If only that were theonlyreason.
“No,” I manage to blubber out.
He exhales. “Do I need to come over and rip Colter Slade a new arsehole? Because I will. What’s he done?”
“He hasn’t done anything,” I hiccup. “It’s just—”
“Dee, talk to me.”
