Page 32 of Fixing to Be Mine

“He doesn’t owe you that,” I say gently, tone soft but firm. “Colt has moved on. It’s been three years. You should as well.”

Her eyes move back to me, and if looks could kill, I’d be dead. “How long have you known each other?” she questions.

“Long enough to know this feels right,” I say lightly, resting my head against Colt’s shoulder.

Colt lets out a low laugh, shaking his head like I’m trouble.

She scoffs. “You’re really something, aren’t ya?”

I glance up at Colt, giving him a wink. “That’s what he keeps telling me.”

He coughs—a laugh this time—and his fingers skim the edge of my shoulder, a soft, lingering touch. Goose bumps trail over my arms, and I like the way he makes me feel. I shouldn’t though. He’s too young. I’ve got too much baggage. He lives in Texas. I live in New York. I don’t believe in love, and I know he does. We’re on opposite sides of the coin, and that’s what scares me the most.

“He used to worship me too … a lot.”

“That’s enough,” Colt says. “What do you want?”

“Well,” she says, still looking at me like I’m a little green man from outer space, “thought I’d stop by and say hello. I wanted to catch up for a minute and invite you to join me at the rodeo this weekend.”

I don’t know this woman, but something about her sets a version of me loose that I haven’t seen since I left the city. The bold, confident part of me that doesn’t apologize for knowing her worth.

“You’ve said hello, and I’m not available. Not anymore,” he tells her, staying planted in the doorway like a human blockade.One arm is still wrapped around me, and the other is resting casually on the frame like he has no intention of moving.

“You should still join me. As friends.” Tessa shifts her weight onto one heel, her glossy pink lips curving like this is a misunderstanding she’s about to correct.

“The answer is no.” Colt’s voice stays calm, but there’s no warmth in it.

Her smile is pulled too tight, too controlled, but I know she disapproves of his answer. “Right. Of course.”

She straightens, smoothing her hand over her already-perfect golden hair. Her brown eyes fall back on me with more edge this time, like she’s trying to pick me apart, one messy strand of hair at a time.

“We don’t really like out-of-towners round here,” she says to me, and it comes out like a warning.

“You’re not gonna threaten her. It’s time for you to go,” he says, still polite, but now there’s no mistaking the annoyance beneath the manners.

The air ripples around us, and it’s clear he’s done with her and this conversation.

She doesn’t respond right away. She drags her gaze over him like she’s memorizing something she used to own.

“I really thought a woman staying here was a stupid rumor,” she says.

Ahh, there it is. She didn’t come here to reconnect. She wanted confirmation.

“I hope you got the answers you were looking for. It was nice meeting you, Tessa,” I say, smiling politely, holding Colt a little tighter, like I can protect him from her. There’s no bite in my tone, but there’s enough sugar to make her teeth ache.

Colt gives my shoulder a gentle squeeze. It’s enough to say he’s got this and that I don’t need to finish anything.

Tessa forces a smile. “Lookin’ real good, Colty. Call me if things don’t work out with your tourist.”

And like that, Colt steps back and slams the door shut. He gives her no apology or hesitation, just the clean, satisfying sound of a boundary being locked into place. The second it’s closed, I let out a breath I didn’t realize I had been holding.

His hand still rests on my waist. “I’m real fuckin’ sorry about that.”

“Don’t apologize for her rudeness. It’s not your fault,” I say, my body reeling from his electric touch. I might burn alive.

We’re so damn close as I gaze up at him. Tall, broad shoulders, perfect face. This man could model blue jeans for a living if he wanted.

His eyes are warm and locked on me in a soft way that I don’t quite know how to handle.

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