Page 105 of All Tied Down

“I’ll have Roan draw up the paperwork before your trip so I can be one less thing you have to worry about.”

Fuck.

GARRETT: She left

ROAN: What?

GARRETT: Emerson—she fucking left—I fucked up and she’s gone

ROAN: I told you to figure it out not implode your whole fucking relationship

GARRETT: I know

ROAN: What are you going to do?

GARRETT: I wrote her a song

ROAN: Better be one hell of a song

GARRETT: I guess we’ll find out

GARRETT: But man—I can’t lose her

ROAN: We know. We told you.

They did tell me and I didn’t listen because I was already falling for Emerson, and now I’ve gone and jumped all the way over the edge. There’s no falling—I’m all the way in love with my wife.

I just hope she’ll still give me the chance to make it right.

EMERSON

I didn’t sleep a wink last night, a headache blooming behind my eyes before I’ve even finished my first cup of coffee. I’m exhausted, like my soul is tired.

Thankfully, Des didn’t say anything when he arrived to find two cups of coffee on my desk and dark circles under my eyes. He just added a stack of files, cleaned up my space, and promised he’d be back with breakfast.

Where is he?

“Miss Andrews?” As if on cue, Des walks into my office with a takeout container, smoothie, and another coffee.

“You’re my favorite,” I tell him, peeking into the bag and sighing with happiness when I find pastries and not something healthy.

That’s what the smoothie is for.

I know he started hiding things in there like greens, proteins, and “everything I need to have a successful day.” It’s a fun little game we play where we both pretend the other is running the show.

“Remember that when I tell you the next part.”

“I don’t have it in me today, Des. I can’t do surprises.”

“Garrett is here.”

Here.

“Like in the office?” I ask, surprised he made it past Tom and the rest of the guys on the team.

“He wants to talk to you.”

“You can show him in,” I reply, pushing the paper bag to the side of my desk knowing I’ve already lost my appetite. When Des hesitates, I give him a half smile. “It’s okay.”