What it Takes (50 page)

She rested her head against his chest as he held her close. “You shouldn’t have done that,” she argued incoherently. He shushed her and was quiet for a long time before she sat up so she could look into his eyes. “What’re you thinking?”

“I don’t know what I’d have done if I’d lost you today.” He choked on the last few words. She watched his Adam’s apple bob a few times. “I don’t think you realize how important you are to me.”

She lightly touched his arm. “I’m sorry,” Kelsey repeated and could feel herself fading fast. He kissed her forehead. “Patrick.”

“Yes.”

“I love you.” Her eyes closed.

“I love you.” He started to get out of the bed.

Her eyes quickly reopened. “Patrick.”

He grinned at her. “Yes.”

“Don’t leave me.”

“Kelsey, I’m not going anywhere.” Patrick laid back down beside her and pulled her into his arms. “I’ll never leave you.”