Page 43 of Don't Look Back

“That sounds perfect.”

“Good. You can pick out twelve things.”

“Don’t you want to pick some of it?” I peek at him over my shoulder and he shakes his head.

“Nah, sweetheart. You can do the honors. I like everything they have here.”

I'm still scanning the options when the bell above the door jingles and the door swings open. Colt glances in that direction and takes a step away from me.

I immediately stand to my full height, expecting to find Jimmy, but I don’t.

A beautiful young girl is standing there staring at Colt. There’s a long-jagged cut running most of the left side of her face. She swallows hard as tears gather in her eyes.

She glances at the group of friends with her and motions to one of the booths on the other side of the store. They nod their heads and head in that direction, except one guy that sticks with her, but gives her some room.

“Jenny, how are you doing, sweetheart?” Colt takes a step towards her. I expect her to keep her distance, but she runs into his arms and he catches her easily.

“Thank you, Colt. I don’t know what I would’ve done without you that night.”

“I didn’t do anything.”

“I know you talked to Billy. I know you said something to him and convinced him to stay with me,” she whispers softly.

“I didn’t-”

“Yes, you did. I really appreciate it, but I broke up with him.”

“You did?” Colt’s eyes widen and I can't help the smile that slips over my lips.

“He didn’t love me. I knew that, but he was cute and popular.” She shrugs her shoulder. “But Joey was at my bedside the entire time I was in the hospital.” She reaches out a hand and the guy who was waiting for her instantly takes it. “He told me how much he’s always loved me and how worried he was about me. I knew right away Billy had to go, but Joey was the guy I’ve been waiting for.”

“Then why are you thanking me?” Colt frowns.

“Because Billy told me what you said to him,” Joey speaks up. “I didn’t want to wait around for Jenny to break up with him after she recovered. I realized it was stupid to give him a second more with my girl, so I stepped in and confessed everything to Jenny. I’ve never been happier and I couldn’t care less about the scar she’ll have. She’s always going to be the most beautiful woman in the room.”

Joey holds her close and presses a gentle kiss to her uninjured temple. Jenny stares up at him like he hung the moon and the stars.

I wonder if that’s how I used to look at Jimmy. Or if I look at Colt like that now. I definitely want to find my own Joey. My own man who will love me despite my scars.

“Yeah, she will be,” Colt says softly. “I'm glad you two are happy together. I’ll let you get back to your friends so I can get back to my girl.” He smiles at them and waves as they head to the table to meet their friends.

“They’re so happy together. Good job, Colt.” I pat him on the chest and watch him carefully.

“Shit, that entire night could’ve gone so differently. She’s lucky to be alive.” He shakes his head, lost in the memory of the accident he responded to. “I thought her life was destroyed, but she has her head held high and isn't afraid to let people see her scars.”

“She’s stronger than you gave her credit for.”

“I think I know someone else like that too.” He slips his hand into mine and intertwines our fingers. “Now, Miss Jameson, what are we getting for dessert?”

After picking out a dozen desserts we’ll never be able to eat in one night, Colt buckles me into the car and takes the roads slowly back towards the house.

The air got even colder than when we left to go out tonight and there’s a few flurries starting to drift down from the sky.

“I think we might have a white Christmas this year,” I say softly, not wanting to disturb the quiet night.

“Do you mind if I make one more stop before we go home?” Colt peeks over at me with a devilish grin on his face.

“What are we doing?”

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