Cherish (Covet #1.5) Read Online Free PDF Page B

very feasible options.
    “What was the old code?” I ask.
    He rattles off five numbers, and they’re like a knife to the gut because the combination is Gabriel’s birthday.
    I take a minute to compose myself. Dylan wisely remains quiet.
    Once I’m able to continue, I focus on the keypad. I enter every combination that might possibly have some significance for Daniel: his birthday, Mimi’s birthday, Jerry’s birthday, the day he graduated from the police academy, and our wedding day, which is a long shot I can’t even believe I consider, but I’m desperate.
    Dylan gives it a try, calling upon his knack for numbers. My former brother-in-law is supposedly some kind of genius, and if Daniel’s code has any mathematical significance, Dylan can probably crack it.
    But he can’t, and his growing frustration matches my own.
    Finally, as a last resort, I key in 09-24-93.
    The noise of the garage door going up startles me so badly that I jump.
    “What did you key in?” Dylan asks.
    “09-24-93.”
    Dylan pauses to file the code in his memory, lest he need it again. “What’s so special about that?”
    “It’s the day we met.” I’m as astounded as Dylan appears to be, but it’s short-lived because now that we’re in, I want to gather Daniel’s things and get back to the hospital.
    Daniel’s place is cozy, with arched entryways and hardwood floors. I don’t recognize the new furniture; he left ours with me when he moved out. His couch looks comfortable; a throw blanket is folded neatly at one end. Dylan is moving around the place like he owns it, opening the refrigerator and helping himself to a Coke. It irritates me for some reason.
    In Daniel’s bedroom there is a king-size bed I’ve never seen. A framed picture of Gabriel sits upon the dresser, and my gaze sweeps lightly over it. After gathering up a few days’ worth of T-shirts and sweats, I grab underwear and socks and a pair of Daniel’s running shoes. Dylan is watching TV when I return to the living room.
    “Let’s go,” I say, stopping in the kitchen for something to shove Daniel’s clothes into. I find a plastic grocery bag, follow Dylan out the door, and key in the garage code to lock up.
    “It must be hard,” Dylan says as I drive back to the hospital and pull into a parking space. His voice is uncharacteristically tender.
    “What?” To be honest, I’m exhausted, somewhat distracted, and not really sure where he’s going with this question.
    “To go through everything you’ve gone through. With Gabriel and the divorce and now Daniel.”
    “It hasn’t been easy,” I say, turning off the car and reaching into the backseat for my purse and the bag containing Daniel’s clothes. When I turn around, Dylan is already out of the car and walking around to open my door. “Thanks,” I say, surprised at his chivalry but appreciative because my hands are full.
    But then Dylan puts his hands on my hips to move me out of the way so he can shut the door for me. “I’m here if you need me. You know that, right?” One hand is still on my hip and he reaches up and brushes my hair back with the other, leaning in so that he’s pressed up against me.
    You have got to be kidding me.
    I sigh wearily. “Maybe you should go track down that nurse, Dylan.”
    After I remove his hands, he saunters idly toward the entrance of the hospital. By the time I reach Daniel’s room, I’m almost as frustrated with myself as I am with Dylan. How did I not see that coming from a mile away?
    Daniel might have changed his garage code because it was something he did regularly, in the name of good home security practices.
    Or it could be that he decided to change it because he no longer wanted Dylan to have it.
    Which is why, later that night on my way home from the hospital, I drive back to Daniel’s and change it again.

CHAPTER ELEVEN
    DANIEL
    Jessie was right. I’m more comfortable wearing my own clothes. The nurse comments on my T-shirt and sweatpants as she