Page 72 of Somewhere We Belong

The tension between us was thick.

“So, then you just started dating?” Nova asked, taking a sip of her drink.

“You could say that. These two were relentless and I was too weak to stay away even after I was—.” Colt’s voice trailed off.

Nova’s brows furrowed as Colt scowled. I opened my mouth to say something to steer the conversation away, but Colt started talking.

“I was arrested with possession and the intent to sell,” he said softly. “I served a year and a half.”

Nova’s eyes grew wide.

“I grew up with a single mom and she struggled a lot. I started dealing when I got into high school to help her out because working at a grocery store wasn’t enough and the local dealer took advantage of our situation,” he said, looking down at his lap. “I got busted after I met these two and I was given a deal. I corroborated a story, and I was given a lesser sentence. If I didn’t have these two, I probably wouldn’t have escaped that life.”

Colt had never told another soul this and sometimes I forgot he was an ex-felon.

“We do some crazy things for love.” Nova grabbed his hand. “I’m sorry you had to resort to dealing.”

Colt studied her for a moment, I almost thought he might lash out at her. He’s always had unresolved anger issues.

“Thank you,” he said, looking at their hands, then looking back at her. “I thought you should know who you had around your daughter.”

I never thought about his past affecting this. My mind scrambled to come to his defense when she spoke.

“Thank you for telling me,” she said. “I… can’t say that it doesn’t make me nervous, but…”

“I've left that life behind, I’m not that man anymore,” he said quickly. “I would never do anything or bring anything home to hurt Sol.”

“He’s more than his past,” Theo added.

“I know,” she murmured. “Just know that she’s my priority and if we feel unsafe?—”

“If anything happens, I will remove myself,” he said quickly. “But that life is behind me. I want no part of it. I have a quaint little ranch life with people I love and care about. I would never jeopardize that.”

“He’s been great since we left Texas.” I grabbed her hand, but she was too focused on Colt.

They stared at each other, something was happening between them, and I felt like a voyeur. I glanced at Theo who was looking surprised at what was happening in front of us, like they had a history, or something had happened between them.

Colt cleared his throat, breaking their spell.

“Thank you for telling me.” She leaned forward, kissing his cheek.

Colt’s demeanor changed. I could see his arousal as he turned his face, capturing her mouth in a kiss. She moaned a little too loudly, and I cleared my throat to remind them we were in public.

They pulled away, a little breathless.

“Please don’t hurt us,” Nova whispered, looking at each of us.

I wanted to make that promise, but I held back.

“We will do everything in our power to do things right,” Theo said.

While it wasn’t a promise, I saw that it eased her worry a little. We spent the rest of the dinner talking about lighter topics,and I felt us ease into something that felt like the promise of tomorrow.

We walked out of the restaurant as Colt talked about getting used to working at the ranch and how none of the animals liked him. Nova’s laugh was carefree, and it was a good look on her. I walked quickly to open her door so I could sit in the back with her and as she slid in Theo got into the back from the other side.

I glared at him as Nova laughed.

“You got to ride with me on the way here,” she smirked.

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