“Sage?” No response. “Sage, please open your eyes.”
The driver moved around the car to stand next to Trey. “How is she?”
“I... I don’t know.” The breath caught in his lungs. He needed to see if she had a pulse. He reached out and placed a finger on the side of her neck. Her skin was warm and...there was a pulse. The pent-up breath whooshed from his lungs. “She’s alive.”
“I called 911. The paramedics are stuck in traffic.”
Trey turned back to Sage. “Don’t worry. I’m not going anywhere.” He gently traced his finger down over her cheek. “I’m so sorry. That’s what I came to tell you. And that I love you. I love you so much. Please be all right.”
He leaned forward and pressed his lips ever so lightly to hers.
When he pulled back, he noticed her eyes start to open. He reached for her hand and took it in his own. “That’s it. Come back to me.”
Sage’s eyes opened wide. She glanced around until her gaze settled on him. “You love me?”
“You heard that?”
She smiled and nodded. “Just tell me that it wasn’t a dream.”
“It’s definitely not a dream.” He stared deep into her blue eyes. “I love you, Sage. With all my heart. I’m just sorry that it took me so long to figure it all out.”
“Why did you leave me at the château? Why couldn’t we have figured it out together?”
“Because you kept talking about everything being perfect. That’s a lot of pressure to put on a person—especially someone like me. I didn’t think I could give you a perfect family—in fact, I knew it.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t realize the pressure I was putting on you. I was so excited about what we could have together that I didn’t think about how your past would color your view of the future.”
“And I let the past get in the way of my future—of our future. But thanks to you, my father and I are talking. I’m learning that everything in the past wasn’t black and white. I think the truth is somewhere in the shades of gray.”
Sage smiled. “I’m so glad to hear that you two are talking.”
“I never thought I’d say this, but I am, too.”
She squeezed his hand. “I’ve had time to think about us. And I don’t need a perfect family. All I need is you. I love you.” She leaned into him and pressed her lips to his. A kiss had never tasted quite so sweet.
When she pulled back, she pressed a hand to her injured forehead. “What happened?”
“You were in an accident. Don’t you remember?”
It took her a second and then she nodded. “I remember some of it.”
She started to move around, but the seat belt was still holding her in place.
“Hey, you need to stay where you are until the paramedics get here.” He didn’t want her to hurt herself further.
“Why? I’m fine.” She released the seat belt.
“You have blood on your face. You aren’t fine.”
“It’s just a little cut.”
“I’d rather hear an experienced medical professional tell me that.”
She smiled at him as the paramedics entered the freeway via the exit ramp. “I never knew you were so protective.”
“Only about those I love.”
Sage got to her feet. “See. I’m fine.”