Page 78 of Things Left Unsaid

Because you were my secret.

Not a dirty one. A happy one.

I wanted to keep him to myself. I didn’t want to share him. Selfish, but true.

“Does it matter?”

“I suppose not.”

The elevator doors open and, outside, there’s a car idling—ours.

You’re not in Kansas anymore, Doro-zee.

The driver handles my suitcases and Colt deals with him, presenting me with the opportunity of contemplating the man who’ll be my husband.

On the way out the door, Parker sent me a thumbs-up while Colt’s back was turned…

I didn’t need her approval to know that he’s a catch.

But it’s ten years too late for my silly girlish fantasies to come true.

Right?

Colton

Hotel - Montell Fish

“Did Callan know you were going to get married here?”

The question has me studying her.

She looks beautiful.

When I saw her yesterday morning, I was reminded ofhowbeautiful. Not when she gussied up for the ceremony, but hair a mess, leggings on, a slouchy sweater hiding most of her shape while she was packing her stuff…

A part of me wasn’t sure if I’d made it up, but no.

She’s gorgeous.

Both technically mine and technically not.

I raise my wine glass to my mouth and drink.

Deeply.

It’s going to be a short night as well as a long one. Which is only fitting considering how interminable yesterday felt—after heading for our license in the afternoon for today’s ceremony, making it to our appointment just in time, we both spent the rest of the day in the suite.

It was boring.

And strange.

I missed slumming it with her in Loki’s stall where conversation flowed easily between us.

This suite might cost a regular guest two thousand bucks a night, but as I’d stared at the ceiling from the comfort of my fancy bed in a fancier room in the fanciest suite of the hotel my family owns, that was what I craved—those simple times.

Since that day in the lake, everything’s shifted. And not just because of a contract, either.

Part of me’s been wondering why I was so quick to tar and feather her like she accused. Another part’s been thinking of how much that night impacted our lives and veered us off course.

---