I pulledup to the front of my house, glancing at the woman in the passenger seat. Hallie stared out the front window, her face pale. Doc had briefly checked her out, telling me she’d had an intense panic attack where she wasn’t getting enough oxygen. Now, Hallie was almost in a hungover state. Doc had recommended rest, food, and a follow-up with her tomorrow.
“Do you think you can make it up the stairs?” I asked softly. “I can carry you.”
Hallie just nodded robotically.
I wasn’t sure if that was a yes to walking or to me carrying her, but I got my answer when she climbed out of the SUV. Hallie moved as if she were the Tin Man but in need of oil in her joints.
I hurried to meet her at the front of the vehicle, bracing an arm behind her. The last thing she needed was to take a tumble down the stairs. We made our way slowly up and then paused at the front door. I unlocked it and quickly deactivated the alarm, but Hallie just stood on the front porch.
Fury and agony battled within me, each reaching for dominance. But I forced them both down. “Come on, let’s get you into bed.”
I guided her down the hallway but not into her bedroom. Instead, I took her to mine. I wanted her in my space. Safe. Tucked away in my massive bed.
Hallie didn’t register the unusual space as I guided her to the mattress. She stared over my head as I knelt to untie her shoelaces. I slipped off one sneaker and then the other. She wore athletic socks with purple polka dots—fun and whimsical, just like Hallie herself. But so different from the woman sitting in front of me now.
I pulled back the covers and helped Hallie in. Rounding the bed, I kicked off my shoes and settled on top of the blankets, just needing to be near her. To smell that orange-blossom scent and know she was safe.
Hallie instantly rolled into me, pressing her face against my chest. “Don’t leave, Blue. Don’t leave me.”
I pressed my lips to the top of her head. “I’m right here. I’m not going anywhere.”
29
HALLIE
My eyelids flutteredagainst the golden afternoon light. Everything felt hazy, almost like a dream. As my surroundings came into focus, I registered that I was lying against a hard chest, and fingers ran through my hair.
That was when I recognized the room. Lawson’sbedroom. His bed. I had to be dreaming. There was no way this was—it all came rushing back. The man outside the vet’s office. Damien rushing out to help. Me completely falling apart.
“I’m so sorry,” I whispered.
The fingers in my hair stilled, then trailed down to cup my face. Lawson tipped my head back, forcing me to look into those blue eyes. “For what?”
“I freaked. I—please don’t fire me.”
Lawson’s expression went thunderous. “Why the hell would I fire you?”
I averted my gaze. “I’m not sure I would want my kids with someone who can’t keep it together.”
Lawson was quiet for a moment, and then he bent his head and pressed his lips to my temple. “You make Charlie laugh like crazy; you make him feel safe. You’ve made Drew want to be present instead of on his damned phone so much. And you’vehealedsomething in Luke that I haven’t been able to. You’re a gift, Hallie. Don’t doubt that for a goddamned second.”
My heart hammered viciously against my ribs. “I’m a mess,” I said, a sob clogging my throat.
Lawson pulled back to meet my gaze, his hand still on my cheek. “You’re human, Hallie. In an extremely charged and triggering situation. Anyone would be shaky after getting grabbed on the street.”
I swallowed down my tears. “I’m usually better at fighting back the panic attacks. Five, four, three, two, one.”
Lawson’s brows drew together in question.
“A grounding technique. You name five things you can see, four things you can hear, three things you can touch, two things you can smell, and one thing you can taste.”
“And it helps?” he asked.
I nodded. “Usually, it brings me right back. But that was…”
“Something that never should’ve happened,” Lawson growled.
“Who was he?” I whispered.
