Closing my eyes, I fought to hold back my tears. If I hadn’t left at all, none of this would have happened. Emmit wouldn’t be sitting here in the hospital bed.

“The doctor came in while you were gone.”

My eyes snapped open as I felt my heart slam against my chest. “What did he say?”

“Said the swelling is down and his brain function all looks normal.”

I swallowed hard as I looked over at Emmit. “He’s not waking up though.” I barely said. I knew Emmit’s body was doing what it needed to do to allow him to heal. Just because I knew the medical reasons why he hadn’t woken up yet, didn’t mean I had to like it.

Malcolm stood up and stretched. “I’ve got an interview tomorrow. I’m going to head back to the hotel and get some sleep.”

Not even bothering to look at him, my eyes stayed focused on Emmit. “Okay,” I softly spoke as I felt Malcolm’s hand on my shoulder. One gently squeeze let me know Malcolm wouldn’t be far. “I’ll text you if he wakes up. Go get some sleep.”

“Do me a favor, Adaline.”

My head slowly lifted as I looked up at Malcolm, “Please get some sleep and try to eat.”

A weak smile played across my face as I gave him a slight nod. “I’ll try.”

Malcolm quietly left the room.

I picked up Emmit’s hand as I kissed the back of it. “Emmit, baby, please wake up. Please, please wake up for me.”

My head dropped as I began crying. This was my fault. I’d give anything to take the last three weeks back.

Lifting my head, I wiped my tears away. My eyes traveled over Emmit’s perfect face. His features were breathtaking.

I let out a laugh as a memory popped into my head. “Do you remember what we used to do for fun in high school?”

I smiled bigger as I thought about the trouble we used to get into. “That plow race you had with Mitchell Worington. You were bound and determined to win. I begged you not to do it. The idea of you getting caught and having the wrath of your granddaddy come down on you was a scary thought. You assured me you would be okay, the plow would be okay and that you would win.”

My stomach sunk at the memory. “You were right. You won and your granddaddy never found out.”

My eyes closed as I let all the memories of Emmit and I growing up together sweep through my mind.

“The time we got stuck in the mud and you insisted if we waited long enough the mud would harden.” Opening my eyes, I looked out the window and let the moment surround me. “We crawled through the back window of your truck and laid in the bed and watched the stars.”

Shaking my head, I glanced at Emmit. He looked so peaceful. “You know I knew you had that planned. No one carries that many quilts in their truck.”

A tear slowly made its way down my cheek as I lifted Emmit’s hand to my lips and spoke against softly. “It was the most magical night of my life, Emmit. It was the first time you and I became one.” Sobs over took my body as I pressed my lips to the back of his hand.

“I’m so sorry I left you again. I was so confused, Emmit. I knew in my heart though it wasn’t true. I’m so sorry I didn’t listen to it. Please forgive me, Emmit. Please.”

My tears were soaking the sheet on the bed as I cried. No amount of tears or pleas would ever make up for the hurt I’ve caused this man. I didn’t deserve him.

“I want a do-over.”

My head jerked up as I tried to see through the blurriness of my tears.

My stomach clenched at the sound of his voice. I was sure I had imagined him talking. Emmit’s eyes were closed and he wasn’t moving.

“W-what did you say, Emmit?”

Without opening his eyes, he squeezed my hand and spoke softly. “I want a do-over.”

The chair pushed across the floor as I stood up and leaned over. “Baby, what are you talking about? Emmit, can you open your eyes?”

Emmit’s gray eyes caught my blue as he stared at me with such intensity.

I dropped his hand and quickly reached for the nurses’ button.

“Wait. Before you bring in the whole team to tell me why my head hurts like a motherfucker, I want to say something to you.”

My lips trembled as my entire body tightened in fear. He was going to tell me to leave. That what I did to him was unforgiveable.

Tears flowed from my eyes again. I was prepared to fight for our love. I’d made a mistake again and I would own up to it, but I wouldn’t let him throw it away like I almost had.

I slowly sat back down in the chair and tried to wipe the endless tears away. “O-okay,” I whispered as chewed on my lower lip.

“My head hurts so damn much,” Emmit said as he lifted his hand and felt the bandage.

Trying to find my voice, I finally managed to say, “You were hit over the head with an unopened beer can by one of Malcolm’s fans.”

Emmit let out a sigh. “Fucking, Malcolm.”

My lower lip was going to be bruised with how I was tearing it apart.

Emmit turned and looked at me. I wasn’t sure how to read his eyes. They were . . . empty. Looking down at my hands in my lap, I began talking. “I’ll understand if you’d like for me to leave, Emmit. I wouldn’t blame you if you hated me for running away again. It’s just, I overheard the conversation between you and Stephanie and from my perspective, it sounded as if—”

My hand came up as I wiped my tears away again. “I knew in my heart you hadn’t cheated on me.”

“Why did you leave then?” Emmit asked.

Before I was able to answer, he looked away from me. “It doesn’t matter. None of it matters anymore.”

My heart dropped, and I knew in that moment I had lost the only man I’d ever loved.

THE SOUND OF ADALINE’S VOICE caused my heart to feel light again. A warm sensation spread through my body as she talked about us growing up. When she brought up the night we had first made love, my eyes automatically opened. The light in the room hitting my eyes felt like a million knives stabbing me in the back of my head.

My heart ached as I listened to her talk. Hearing her say she knew I didn’t cheat on her was sweet music to my ears. She must have finally listened to the damn messages I left.

“Why did you leave?” I asked before looking away. What was I doing? It didn’t matter why she left. What mattered was she came back. “It doesn’t matter. None of it matters anymore.”

The sharp intake of air from Adaline caused me to look back at her. Her face was white as a ghost as she stared at me in disbelief while I asked, “Did you listen to my messages finally?”

My body went rigid when she shook her head. “I didn’t listen to them.”

“How did you know I didn’t cheat on you then? Did you talk to your dad? My mom?”

Adaline was chewing on her lower lip, causing it to instantly swell. “No,” she said. “I just finally decided to stop listening to my head, and I listened to my heart. I’m so sorry I hurt you again, Emmit. I’d give anything to take it all back.”

The warmth spread through my body again as I looked into her eyes. “You can’t run away every time you think there’s a problem, Addie.”

Nodding her head frantically, she barely spoke. “I . . . I know. I’m an idiot.”

I would have nodded in agreement, but my head hurt too damn much. “We need to work things out together if there is a problem.”

Adaline began crying hard again. “I. Know. I. Hate. Myself. For. Hurting. You.”

“I want a do-over, Addie.”

With a snap of her head, she wiped her eyes and then her snotty nose. “A do-over of what?”

“That night.”

Adaline slowly shook her head as she pinched her eyebrows together. “What night?”

“The first night we made love.”

Adaline’s mouth dropped open as she pulled her head back in shock. “Never. That night was the best night of my life. It was magical and romantic.”

Looking away, I closed my eyes. “Nah, it was hot as hell. The bugs were eating us alive; it bruised the hell out of my knees and your back. You bled on my mother’s favorite quilt and you wore a look of pain the entire time.” I opened my eyes and caught Adaline’s stare. “I was so scared I was hurting you.”