Page 29 of Double Booked

I choked out a laugh, tears burning in my eyes. “Sorry, that’s my fault. I didn’t know how to bring it up.”

“It’s okay,” Colton’s hand cradling my cheek did nothing to help ease the burn of tears at the back of my eyes.

“I know you have to go, but let me ask you just one question and then we can talk about this later.”

I felt my forehead crease. “Sure, what is it?”

“First, let me say that this,” he motioned between us, “isn’t over. I’ll honor your request and talk to Justin but this isn’t over between us. You make me happy and I want to keep building what we have between us.”

I smiled even as it felt like my heart broke a little more. He said that but I knew once he talked to Justin, he would see what I did. He might want me but it was nothing compared to what he had with Justin.

“Second,” Colton continued despite the horn honking behind us again. He hesitated. “Do you still want me? Want this?”

“I do,” I choked out. How could I not? “But I think Justin needs you more.”

“I think we both need you.” Colton’s eyes were serious as they stared into mine. “So my question is, do you think there’s room in your heart for both of us?”

I froze as he voiced one of my inner thoughts out loud. “I– I don’t know Justin that well,” I admitted. “But– he seems to be a good guy.”

“And he’s easy on the eyes too,” Colton teased and I laughed as the tension in the car dissipated.

“He is,” I admitted.

“Good. Now while I would rather drive you back home, let’s get you on a plane before the person behind us loses their mind.”

I laughed but it was watery. Colton opened the door and pulled my suitcase out of the back of the truck before walking around to help me out. He wrapped me in a giant bear hug and I clung to him, not willing to let him go just yet. He tilted my chin up and claimed my lips in a short hungry kiss.

“This isn’t over,” he repeated his words, staring into my eyes. “I’m going to have a conversation with Justin but I don’t want you to get on that plane thinking we’re over, got it?”

I buried my head in his chest so I didn’t have to look him in the eyes. “Got it,” I murmured loud enough for him to hear me. He said that now but once he talked to Justin would he feel the same way? His last words in the car gave me hope but I was careful not to let it grow. These two men had a history that I didn’t think I could compete with.

But still, that little flame of hope was a stubborn bitch and she flamed brightly in my mind the entire plane ride home. And when I stepped into my cold and empty condo that evening, she stayed strong, even when my heart squeezed. I might have just blown the best thing that ever happened to me but it would be worth it if Colton ended up happy. Or at least that’s what I was going to keep telling myself.

CHAPTER 16

JUSTIN

Iknocked once on the door before opening it. Colton had been quiet at work all day today. At first I thought he might be down because he dropped Riley off at the airport yesterday but he had his thinking face on. He didn’t even notice Vicky falling all over him and that’s when I knew something was really on his mind. Usually he would at least have a minor look of irritation on his face but he was deep in thought. I had barely walked in my door after work before he texted and asked if I could come over. As I stepped through the door and greeted Maggie and Rex, my stomach clenched as nerves rattled inside it. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. Momma A always said not to borrow trouble before it happened.

“Colton?” I called out, not seeing him in the living room or kitchen.

“Here,” Colton said, coming down the hallway from the bedroom, tugging a fresh shirt down his body. My mouth went dry when I saw his bare skin, a leftover reaction from our time in college.

“What’s up? Your text didn’t say much.” Possibilities of what Colton wanted to talk about flew through my head. Was it the business? Was it Riley? Was he tired of doing the long distance and wanted to move up to Minneapolis to be with her? Was I about to lose him forever?

Colton turned towards the kitchen and fished two beers out of the fridge. He opened both of them and passed one to me. He jerked his head towards the couch, hazel eyes studying me like he could see into my soul. He was probably the one person on earth who could.

I settled onto the couch on one end and stiffened slightly when instead of taking the other end, Colton settled on the middle, facing me, our knees brushing. I wanted to pull away but I was desperate enough for the contact that I let my legs stay where they were.

“Riley talked to me yesterday.” I did stiffen then. What did she say? Did she say something about me? Had I made her uncomfortable at all? I tried to hide my attraction to her and Colton. Riley’s words from a few nights ago came back to me when she called me out on my feelings for Colton. I still don’t know how she noticed as I had been so careful to hide it but surely she wouldn’t have told Colton about it.

“What did she say?” I lifted the beer to my lips, taking a sip but not tasting it.

“That you’re still in love with me.” Oh fuck. “Just like I’m still in love with you.” Oh, double fuck.

I froze on the couch, not knowing what to say. I could lie but the problem was that Colton knew all my tells. I had avoided this topic for years since college and he’d never brought it up either so I had gotten away with it. But now…

His eyes studied me, and he nodded slowly. “That’s what I thought. She said we both had been hopelessly blind and that everyone but the two of us knew. And I spent the whole day thinking about it and she’s right. I’m still in love with you. Probably just as in love with you as I was in college if not more.”

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