“And that was?”
Not leaving me behind. Not making me regret turning my back on finding someone. Not turning into the pathetic, foolish guy I was with Caroline. “It doesn’t matter.”
Ben doesn’t press. He’s been around long enough. We bunked all throughout college. He’s well aware of the damage and scars left by her.
“Fine. But I hope you know what you’re doing. When Kip gets wind, he’s going to murder you.”
“Well, he’s not going to.”
Ben releases a low chuckle, and Bridget stirs. “Can I give you a piece of advice? Don’t fuck her over. She seems like a great girl.”
Like I don’t already know that. I know she’s too good for me. And no matter how hard I try, I’m scared to death I’m going to hurt her in the end.
“Thanks for the advice, Romeo, but I’m doing just fine. And I’m not going to hurt her. We’re just friends.” Ben snickers, and I want to smack the shit out of him. “Will you be quiet? You’re gonna wake her.”
“Okay. Sorry. Would hate to wake your friend up. Give me a break. I’ve sat here for a whole six hours while you two played googly eyes. Friends my ass.”
“You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Whatever, bro.” He moves to stand. “Lie to me all you want but heed my warning. Kip is not going to take this news lightly. And if you want more advice, I doubt your friend is going to approve of you keeping her a secret. You may want to rethink this. Not sure this one is going to end well.”
If I wasn’t so worried about waking her up, I’d tackle Ben and pummel a few good hits to his pretty face. But he’s right. Kip is not going to accept this. I’m living in a fantasyland if I think this is all going to work out in my favor.
“Whatever. Thanks for the tip. Don’t you have to go save lives or something?”
He shrugs me off. “My next shift isn’t until tomorrow. Gonna head over to the firehouse and snag a bed for a bit. See you for the games.”
“Yeah, see you.”
Ben heads out, leaving me alone with a sleeping Bridget. An angel who’s going to end up sending me straight to hell.
Bridget
I feel like I’m floating on clouds as I snuggle into the soft bedding. A familiar smell wraps around me, and I burrow deeper into the feathery pillow. My body is so relaxed, it’s as if I just slept for days. I inhale a deep breath, the scent provoking a flashback. I know what it is, but I can’t pinpoint why. My body craves it. My heart beats faster for it. I search for answers, but the wheel inside my memory spins and spins. Why do I know this smell? I ache for it. Lust for it. Hurt for it.
The fog in my mind starts to wane. An image faintly appears. A memory. A trigger.
It can’t be. I’m dreaming. This is not real.
I shake my head and clench my eyes tighter. He’s not here. I haven’t smelled him in over two years.
The scent only becomes stronger.
My belly tightens, and I force myself to wake up—to open my eyes so the memory buries itself back down inside the hole in my heart. My vision blurs, and I blink the fog away. The room is familiar from so long ago. This can’t be. I suck in a ragged breath, slamming my eyes shut. Breath, Bridget. This isn’t real.
Shifting to my other side, I nestle into the warmth of the blanket. The smell becomes stronger. Fear swells in my throat. It’s not real. It never is. He won’t be here when you open your eyes.
My eyes snap open. Sharpness slices through my gut. My breath is stolen as I attempt a gasp. I fight my eyes to still, afraid if I blink, he’ll disappear. My breathing picks up. I reach out to touch his cheek, my hand shaking. I pull back at the feel of his skin.
“You’re not real. You’re never real,” I whisper, shaking off the sight of him.
His eyes open, and the distant memory of his emerald orbs stare back at me. “Hey, baby girl. You’re up early.”
I don’t understand. He’s… “How…why are you here?”
His deep laughter sends a ripple of goosebumps down my arms. “Why wouldn’t I be?”
Emotions grow thick in my throat. “Because you’re not supposed to be. Because you never are. Because you’re dead.”
His grin, just as I remembered, spreads across his handsome face, his teeth gleaming back at me with his signature smile. “What are you talking about? I would never leave you. Come here.” He reaches for me, wrapping his hand around my waist and pulling me into him. “Does this feel like I’m dead?” The heat from his body feels real. The strength of his hand holding me feels real. His head dips. His plump lips, just as soft as always, press against mine. “Do I feel real to you yet, baby girl?” He hums against my mouth, increasing the pressure.