Page 20 of Protect My Heart

One week later…

I park my truck in front of the general store on the square. This is where Daphne’s doing her social media magic this afternoon. That and probably gossiping with Jade and the owner, Madison.

I go inside to get her and immediately hear her laughing. It makes me smile because there is not a sound I love more than her giggling. Well, except maybe when she’s coming.

“Sweet Cheeks alert,” Jade says.

Madison and Daphne crack up.

I shoot a look at my love. “Why did you have to tell them that?”

“Because it’s hilarious. I’m pretty sure you have more nicknames than anyone in town,” Daphne says. “Isn’t that right, Hot Stuff?” The women laugh and then Daphne looks at them. “That’s what Gladys calls him.”

I roll my eyes. “Those octogenarians are fierce,” I say.

“They used to do the same to my Caleb, until I made an honest man of him,” Madison says.

“Marry him up, Daph,” Jade says with a wink. “Then maybe the Blue-haired group will leave your man alone.”

Daphne hops down from the stool she’s perched on and grabs her bag. “I’ll see you girls later.” When she steps close to me, she puts a hand on my chest and reaches up on her tiptoes to give me a quick kiss. “You do have really sweet cheeks.”

I swat her bottom. “Let’s go home, Firecracker, before you get me into trouble.”

“I bought you a present,” she says cheerfully as we reach my truck.

“Oh yeah? I bought you a present months ago.” I close her door and jog around to mine. She’s frowning at me when I get inside.

“Why haven’t you given it to me yet?” she asks.

“You can have it any time you want it,” I say.

Her eyes roll. “Are you talking about your dick?”

I laugh. “No. I really did buy you something. It’s in the glove box.” I reach over to open it but she stops me.

“My present for you first. Close your eyes,” she says.

I do as she tells me and then she puts something soft in my hand. Feels like a piece of clothing. “Can I open?”

“Yes.”

It’s a T-shirt. A black one. I hold it up to see it and it has icon pictures of a fire extinguisher and a fire. Then in big bold letters it says: I PUT OUT.

I laugh. “Fuck, this is perfect. Thank you, Daph.” I pull her in for a kiss. “Only for you. You know that right? You know you’re the love of my life, don’t you?”

“I love you, Fletch.”

“I love you so damn much. Sometimes it feels like I’ll burst if I don’t scream it from the rooftops.”

“I would be completely okay with that by the way. Just mention my last name so people know who you’re talking about.”

I reverse out of the parking spot and head to my place.

I hear her pop open the glove box, but I keep my eyes locked on the road.

“Oh my God,” she whispers. “Is this really how you’re doing this? Just letting me find the box on my own?”

“Open it,” I say.