Page 88 of One Little Kiss
“Hung-ee, hung-ee, Coto.”
“You’re hungry?” Colton asks, glancing around the room.
Shit.
“I ordered room service, but he refused to eat.” It comes out in a defensive rush.
“Okay. Want to try again, Wes?”
He nods happily, and Colton carries him over to the table. Lifting the silver tray, he finds his mostly untouched mac and cheese.
Colton sticks his finger right in the center. “It’s still kind of warm. Good enough.” Sitting down, he grabs two spoons. After handing one to Wes, they both dig into the lukewarm pasta. For every spoonful Wes drops, Colton follows behind making train sounds.
Feeling displaced, I clean up the mess we made with all the trains when there’s a knock at the door.
“That’s Tilly,” Colton informs me. “Can you let her in?”
“Ah, yeah. Yup. Sure.”
My bare feet make a plopping sound on the cold marble floor of the foyer. I still can’t believe a hotel room even has a foyer, but before I let myself get sidetracked, I open the door to find a beautiful woman on the other side.Oh. Her hair is long and silky in the deepest shade of brown that matches her eyes. There’s no mistaking the resemblance to Emory, but it’s a shock seeing their contrasting coloring.
Tilly grins and raises her eyebrows. I realize I’ve been standing here staring at her like a lunatic. “Geez. I’m sorry. You must be Tilly? Come in.”
“I am. It’s so nice to finally meet you, Winnie. Colton has talked about you nonstop for so long. I feel like I already know you.”
She’s the second person to say that. My chin lifts as the knowledge of Colton thinking about me boosts my confidence at a time when I desperately need it.
“That’s … really nice,” I settle on. “Come on in. Colton is getting Wes to eat.”
“Just so you know, I’m CPR certified, if that makes you feel any better about me babysitting. I also helped raise my youngest sister and babysat throughout high school. I’m great with kids.” She talks so fast my head is spinning, but her smile is infectious. She has a personality that is impossible to dislike.
“Thanks, Tilly. I appreciate that. And it’s not that I don’t trust you, it’s just …”
She lays a gentle hand on my arm. “He’s struggling a little right now. Colton told me the basics. I’ll follow whatever directions you have for me.”
Her kindness causes tears to form at the corner of my eyes. “Thank you, again. Really, it’s just ameissue, I think. I’ve only ever left him with Beth.”
“And me,” Colton chimes in.
“Coto, Coto. Lub Coto,” Weston sings.
“And Colton,” I acknowledge.
“Till, this is Wes. Wes, this is my good friend, Tilly.”
Wes eyes her suspiciously. I’m turning to apologize when I see her stick her tongue out at him and cross her eyes. He busts out in a belly laugh so hard he sprays mac and cheese into the air.
“Well, I guess this will work out after all,” I say, a little bewildered.
Tilly winks. “I told you I’m good with kids.” Walking closer to Wes, she bends down, so she’s at eye level with him. “When you’re done eating, can you show me your trains? I heard you have some pretty epic ones.” She keeps her tone soft and faces him head-on so she doesn’t startle him.
It makes me realize Colton did more than listen at the doctor’s office. He committed the information to memory and relayed all the important pieces to Tilly. I can see it in the way she moves around him, careful to never walk behind him. It’s part of the visual tracking that Wes struggles with and why groups can be difficult.
My gaze shifts to Colton and I melt. Once again, he’s watching my every reaction, ready to step in, lend a hand, and sometimes just hold me. A rush of heat fills my body, and I feel lightheaded. This man is a master at breaking down my defenses, and I’m not sure I have anything left to hold back.
Please don’t crush me, Colton.The words go ’round and ’round my head, but as he stalks toward me, everything else fades. I have no fears when he’s this close. Never in my life have I had the sense of calm that I do when I’m with him.Is this what love feels like? Is that what this is?
“What do you think? Did she pass the test? Can I have you tonight?” Colton’s words cut into my inner musings, and I blink a few times to clear my head.Love?Did I really just have that thought? Could I be in love with Colton Westbrook?
