Page 27 of Things Left Unsaid

Mom told me once that I was put on this earth to cause mischief, but I don’t think I was.

I think I was put on this earth to make Colton Korhonen smile.

Zee

PRESENT DAY

Sun & Moon - Above & Beyond, Richard Bedford

Settling into the cab of his truck—a truck my family wouldn’t be able to afford even if we sold the damn ranch—as he drives me into town, I study him.

Unashamedly.

The boy became a man. One loaded with muscles and scars and?—

“You’re staring.” His lips kick up to the left, revealing a dimple that has always fascinated me. “I won’t bite… unless you ask me to.”

My eyes flare at his teasing—also unexpected. Since I asked him if he thought I was capable of hurting Loki, he’s done a one-eighty. From stern to… well, I’m not sure what this is but I don’t hate it.

“I was thinking. Not staring.”Liar.

He’s more potent than 100-proof vodka in a Henley, flannel shirt, jeans, and cowboy boots. All he’s missing is the hat right now and I’d?—

“Looked like you were staring.”

I scowl. “I wasn’t.”

“So, what were you thinking about?”

About how hot he is.

About how he defended me againstGrand-mère.

How he covered me with his sheepskin coat.

How he signed the contract without reading it once I told him what I’d added.

“How we’ll be married soon.”

He isn’t your knight in shining armor, Zee McAllister. He stopped being your safe space a long time ago.

He scrapes his fingers over his jaw. “Crazy, isn’t it?”

“More than crazy.” I shift my focus from him and onto the road that takes us to town. “You’re so calm about it.”

“I’ve been worrying about the situation with the water at Seven Cs for so long that knowing this’ll resolve it is a massive weight off.”

“Don’t you care that you’re going to have to marry me? I’m a stranger.”

“This isn’t ideal by any stretch of the imagination, but you’re not a stranger.”

“Of course I am. You haven’t spoken to me in a decade, Colton. I’m a woman, not the girl you used to know.”

“You think I’m an idiot?”

“No.”

“Good. I managed to figure out you’re not the same,Zee.”

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