Page 31 of Fixing to Be Mine

He heads for the front door, and my body feels like it’s on fire. I suck in a deep breath, glancing at the journal he gave me. It’s such a sweet thing to do, and it shows that he has emotional intelligence—something my ex certainly lacked.

A moment later, the door creaks open, and the sound pulls me from my thoughts.

“Colty,” a high-pitched voice says. It’ssyrupy sweet and Southern, and I wonder if it’s one of his sisters. “Heard you were livin’ out here in this big, haunted house. I never understood your obsession with it.”

“What’re ya doin’ here?” Colt’s voice drops, and I hear the edge in his tone. Because of that, I know it’s not family.

The silence drags on, and I imagine him staring at her, waiting.

“Are ya gonna invite me in? Give me the grand tour before you fix it up?” she purrs.

I roll my eyes, and jealousy washes over me. Who the hell shows up unannounced and nearly demands a red carpet?

“No, I’m not,” he says flatly. There’s no hesitation, and he leaves no room for misinterpretation.

Whoever it is, they aren’t welcome here.

Curiosity drags me down the hallway toward him, and I catch a sliver of her through the cracked-open door. She’s beautiful, tall, tan, and perfectly highlighted. If I had to guess, it’s one of his exes.

I don’t hesitate as I wrap my arms around Colt’s waist from behind, like I’ve done it a hundred times, like this moment belongs to us. He doesn’t flinch when I touch him. Instead, he turns his body and curls his hand around my hip, pulling me closer to him, like it’s second nature. I’d be lying if I said being in his arms didn’t feel as good as him holding me as I fell asleep.

Colt’s shirt hangs loose on my frame, and it feels like armor disguised as cotton. She looks at me like his name is written in cursive across my skin. It’s enough to make her tense, but it doesn’t bother me. Thanks to my background, I’m not intimidated by anyone, man or woman.

“Oh, hi,” I say, sweet as sin, turning back to Colt. “Had I known we were having company this morning, I’d have put on some pants.”

Her eyes drop to my bare, tanned legs, linger on the shirt, then flick back to Colt. He holds me tighter, his strong hand and fingertips pressing into me. I imagine them roaming my body and force myself to pay attention. He’s too damn distracting without even trying.

“Please excuse my manners. I’m Sunny, Colt’sgirlfriend. And you are?”

I see her heartrate increase, and her lip quivers. She doesn’t like me being here.

“Tessa,” she says, and I hold out my hand to shake hers. She glances down at it, then back at me. “I’m the love of Colt’s life.”

My smile doesn’t budge. “Really? You said Teresa?”

“Tessa,” she spits out.

I tilt my head curiously. “That’s so strange. He’s never once mentioned you,Tessa.”

I know it stings, but she needs a reality check.

“How long has it been since you two broke up? Recently?”

Exes aren’t a conversation we’ve had, and it’s not one I want to discuss.

“Nearly three years,” Colt answers.

Her brows pull tight, and her perfect lips move into a straight line. Colt’s arm settles more comfortably around me, and I think he enjoys watching her squirm.

“I’d like to speak to Colt in private.” Her voice is clipped, but too demanding for my liking.

“Don’t think so,” he says. “If you’ve got something to say, you can say it in front of my girlfriend.”

Girlfriend.The word lingers, and I like how he said it, like it was true without a doubt.

His smirk follows, and for a moment, it’s just the two of us with our eyes locked and hearts beating steadily.

She clears her throat. “You didn’t tell me you were seeing someone.”

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