Page 22 of Everything I Promise

“I don’t know. I think I might be,” I answer honestly.

“Well, if you’re ready, yes I am asking you on a real date.” He leans back in his chair with his arm across the back, brushing against my back.

Jokingly I ask, “Ok, but do I have to wear these boots?”

“I wouldn’t mind taking those off you,” he says in a low, gravelly voice.

I am blushing from my head to toes at the thought of him taking my boots off and all that would come next.

Colton grabs my hand and pulls me outside. I think he is going to stop at the entrance, but he keeps going to the gazebo in the park.

“Sorry, I had to get you alone.” His mouth is on mine in a needy way and I match his energy. We’re grasping at each other like teenagers.

“Colton,” I moan into his mouth. His hand goes between my legs and these pants are so tight I can feel the warmth from his large hands.

“I need you, Lace,” he says into my neck.

I press my body into his and I can feel how much he needs me. It’s at this moment I am cursing Addy for not allowing me to bring my mom purse because it contains the keys to my salon. “Damn it, Addy,” I breathlessly say out loud.

Colton stops trailing kisses down my neck and looks at me confused.

“She wouldn’t let me bring my mom purse that has the keys to my salon. You know a place where we could be alone.”

“Damn it, Addy,” he repeats. “I really need to get to work on the apartment this weekend, huh?”

“I guess so. When are we going on that date?” I ask, desperate for alone time with him.

“Next weekend? I’ll make sure the apartment has a livable bed and bathroom,” he says this jokingly, but I really hope he’s telling the truth because it has been a long time and based on his recent performances, I need more. Of course, I keep this part to myself.

We continue our make out session in the gazebo, until we hear people walking in the park.

We take that as our cue to head back to the bar. The girls are probably up soon for their song and if I miss that to make out with Colton I would never hear the end of it.

We walk back in and of course everyone is back at the table watching us walk to the table together with flushed faces.

“And just where did you two go off to?” Scarlett teases.

“Well, since someone wouldn’t let me bring my purse, not anywhere alone!” I tease them right back, staring directly at Addy.

“Hey! Don’t blame this on me! If I knew anything about you and Mr. Hotpants over here I would have at least told you to bring your keys!” Addy exclaims.

Colton looks at me confused. “Mr. Hotpants?”

I laugh at him. “Addy likes to give nicknames. Apparently this is yours.” Leave it to Addy.

Gunnar fortunately calls Addy and Lauren for their duet and they leave poor Colton alone.

The rest of the night goes by with a lot more beer, and a lot more bad singing. They even persuade me to go up there and sing, which, thank God, everyone is pretty drunk and they join in to cover my singing.

My head is pounding and everything hurts and my mouth is as dry as the desert. This morning is going to be horrendous.

I am quickly reminded why I don’t drink as Oliver jumps on the bed promptly at six in the morning. He apparently feels this is the best time to discuss the pieces of his Halloween costume that he still needs.

I wholeheartedly disagree even though I love him more than anything in the world.

I slip my feet into my slippers, because in New Hampshire we don’t do heat until November at least, and it is cold. Oliver follows me to the kitchen still talking about his costume, but I am in search of coffee. And Advil. Maybe, the Advil first.

Chapter Ten

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