Page 60 of Finding Denver
He’s right, but I know Ranger’s pull, how he makes me feel, how he weakens me—if I’m in the same room as him now, I’ll be so overwhelmed by how much I’ve missed him that I’ll force myself to forgive. If he drags me under, I’mworried I’ll revert to who I was and won’t fight hard enough for what I want.
My freedom. My job. My choices.
“Who are you texting?”
I lower my phone and look at Lewis. “I’m sending photos to Holly.”
“Holly or Colt?”
“Same thing. She doesn’t have a phone yet.” My phone vibrates, and I snatch it up. Colt has sent a photo of Holly with her panda costume on, and I grin, showing Lewis. “See? Holly.”
I knew she was dressing up as a panda, so when I saw the panda plushie, I had to buy it. I was hoping to give it to her today, but I chickened out. She probably has a dozen of them anyway, and she only really met me once. I mean, she does send me photos of her outfits daily, along with voice notes telling me about her day, so that’s nice. I feel like my day lights up when I get an update from her.
She’s fun, and it’s strange to think I only met her one time two weeks ago.
ME: She looks adorable. Save some candy for me!
COLT: My mortal enemy? Absolutely not.
I grin.
ME: Fair enough. Have a good night!
When I look up from my phone, Lewis is smiling at me.
“What?”
“Nothing, I just … don’t think I’ve seen you smile as much as you have these last few weeks.”
My phone vibrates with a call, and I answer it quickly. “Yes?” No response. My shoulders slump and I point aggressively at my phone so Lewis knows who it is. The silent caller.
“Is this Denver?” a woman asks quietly.
I blink, taken aback by finally hearing her voice. “Yes. Who is this?”
“I—” She pauses.
The line goes dead.
“No!” I squeak, dialing back. “Please pick up, please pick up.” I bounce my foot, but the phone goes to a voicemail that’s full. “She spoke. It is a woman.”
“I’m getting it traced. This is too much,” he says.
My phone vibrates.
COLT: Do you want to come with us?
As soon as I read the text, Colt calls me.
“Denver Luxe speaking.” I hop to my feet, wandering away from the small table in the hotel room where Lewis and I are having our meal.
“Colt Harland calling,” Colt says, and I grin. “So, what do you say? Are you up for a little trick or treating?”
“I can’t do that. It’s your time with her,” I say, knowing from Holly’s voice notes that Wilder isn’t taking her tonight.
Colt says, “She’s asked me to ask you. It’s my job to pass on the request.”
I smile. “Your job? Does that mean she’ll fire you if I don’t go?”
