Page 21 of Everything I Promise

“Well, well, well what do we have here?” Addy has her arms crossed and a smug look has taken over her face.

I know she won't let this go and I'm scrambling to find a way to get out of this inquisition.

“Whatever, guys, let’s go get pizza and beer. I’m hungry.” Colton places his hand on the small of my back and leads me to a table.

Once again he is rescuing me from my mistakes. I could get used to feeling protected by him, and his hands on my body.

As soon as we are at a table the guys go to order our drinks and grab menus.

Lauren speaks first. “Um, girl. Spill it now. He is hot and so was that kiss.” She fans her face as Addy and Scarlett chuckle at her.

“Oh my gosh, guys. It’s nothing! Seriously. We’ve been talking over the last couple months since we’re both going through shitty divorces with cheaters. It’s not a big deal.” I try to downplay it so they’ll leave me alone. I don't like talking aboutmy relationship with Colton to anyone else. I want to keep it just for me, inside this perfect bubble.

I guess I should have thought about that before I kissed him in front of everyone though.

“Right. That kiss was nothing, and I’m about to sell a million dollar property because the hot guy who lives there falls madly in love with me.” Lauren rolls her eyes at me. Luckily, the guys come back and I’m saved from the conversation.

"Gunnar is going to come over in a minute to grab our orders. We all know what we want?" Preston asks, handing us all menus.

We decide what we want to eat and Gunnar, the owner of The Bar, comes to take our order.

“Hey guys, what are you having tonight?” Gunnar leans his elbows on our table.

“Two pepperonis, one supreme, and one meat lovers.” Preston orders.

“You got it.” He says, handing the paper off to a waitress.

“So, Gunnar, I have a question.” Colton asks.

Gunnar laughs. “I might have an answer for you, brother.”

“Why did you name this place The Bar?” He asks.

“That’s an easy one. If you say you’re meeting someone at a bar, what do you say when you’re planning it?” Gunnar smirks.

“I ask if they want to go to the . . . bar.” Realization hits Colton as he’s answering.

“Exactly. The bar. So, that’s why I named itThe Bar.”

Us, girls all chuckle at his reasoning for naming this place. It is pretty genius.

The guys tell Gunnar when he gets the chance to come join us.

I wink at Addy and Lauren, the two single girls here, and they both shake their heads at me. I know why Addy doesn’t date, but I think Lauren should give up on her high school crush. Gunnar is hot.

Once we get our pizza it seems everyone is going to leave Colton and I alone about the kiss. Thank God.

The girls walk away from the table, arm in arm, to go sign up for karaoke, but I stay behind. No one wants to hear me sing so I stay back at the table. Colton slides his chair over next to me and my body is on alert of every movement he makes.

“So. Kissing me in public now, huh?” He teases.

“God. I messed up. The girls will not let me be now. They might already be planning our wedding.” I blush.

“Hmm. Interesting. How about a date first?” He winks at me.

“Are you asking me out on a date, Colton West?” I smile at him.

“That depends, ma'am. Are you ready for a date with me?” He asks.

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