Page 81 of Above All Else

“Let me do this for you.”

She sighed, the light in her eyes dimming. “It’s just... I don’t know. I don’t want you to do all of this for me and it not work out between us, you know?”

I shook my head and leaned on the counter. “That’s not an option. We’re in it for the long haul. No turning back, no regrets.”

“That’s easy to say, but doing it—“

“Relationships take work. On both sides. I’m willing to put my entire self into it.” I scanned her face, searching for a telltale sign she felt the same way...anything.

“You know I am too. But what if—“

“The ‘what ifs’ might guide your thoughts, but ultimately, your choices shape your journey.”

She smiled, her gaze slipping to the floor. “Getting philosophical on me, Carter?”

I cupped her cheeks, pressing my lips to each one. “I just want you to be happy, even if it means we go our separate ways in the end. No matter what happens, I’ll treasure every moment we’ve had, knowing I was the luckiest man alive to spend a fraction of it together.”

Tears pebbled in her eyes. “You’re so sappy, and I love it.”

“It’s the God’s honest truth, June.”

“You know what else is true?” Her nose scrunched. “You smell like sterility.”

I released her and smelled my scrubs. “I guess I’ve gotten used to the stench after all these years.” Sighing, I handed her the new phone. “Nice change of subject, though.”

“What’s this?”

“You need a phone, so I bought you one. You won’t have the same number, but if you want to transfer your old one, they said it wouldn’t be impossible to do.”

“Thank you, Carter.” She raised up on her tiptoes and kissed my cheek.

“I’m going to sleep.” I snagged a slice of bacon, the ends charred but better than the burnt coffee at work, and headed up the stairs. “Try not to burn the house down and save me a few slices.”

“Okay.”

I shuffled into the bedroom and stared at the bed as I peeled off my scrubs, tossing them in the laundry bin.

The last time I’d laid there, I’d envisioned telling my parents I’d brought Amber’s killer to justice. That June suffered just like Amber, and we could be at peace.

But now, she was in my home, eating my food, sleeping in the very bed I’d plotted her death, my mind and heart at war.

Chapter 21

June

Five weeks later

“And you said their plane gets in tomorrow?”

“Yes, now relax.” He nuzzled my neck as I chopped the carrots, his hard length pressed against my ass.

“I am relaxed.”

He laughed, his chest rumbling, tickling my back. “You’re so tense. I can feel it.” He pressed his thumbs into my shoulders, and I groaned, tipping my head back, my knife steady on thecutting board.

“Am I?” I sighed and glanced at the ceiling, the can lights sagging above us. “You’re the one who hasn’t had a day off in nearly a month.”

“Hmmm.But I’m used to strenuous days and long hours.”