Page 16 of Coulda

“Touch me?” Beau echoed, looking confused.

“She’s worried about the media that buzzes you like a hornet’s nest,” Maisie guessed tartly.

“You can hug me anytime, Harper. Come here, you,” Beau said to Amber and pulled her close.

“Well, well, well. The gang’s all here. Except for the famous country star. He’s too busy to come, I guess. Like Harper’s imaginary boyfriend,” Miranda’s acerbic voice observed from behind them.

“Good grief, are you still so constipated that you treat people like shit?” Maisie’s voice carried over the crowd.

“It’s okay, Maisie. I don’t know why Miranda is so worried aboutmylove life.” Harper didn’t say anymore, but from the steam rising from Miranda’s carefully stretched face, she’d struck a nerve.

A flurry of motion at the door signaled the arrival of someone who everyone remembered. Colt paused just inside the doors to search for someone. Spotting Harper, he made a beeline to her side.

“Hi, Angel.” Colt wrapped his arms around Harper without looking at anyone else, pulled her into his arms, and pressed his lips to hers. “I’m sorry I am late.”

Amber’s eyelashes almost sizzled away from the heat of that kiss he apologized to Harper with.What is going on?

She looked at Maisie and Beau to judge their reaction and would have loved a picture of Maisie’s gaping mouth and Beau’s complete lack of reaction.He really has this politician thing down.

When he lifted his head, Colt shared, “The tour bus driver got slowed down by the traffic on the highway. I was about ready to jump out and run when it finally cleared.”

“Colt Ziegler is your imaginary boyfriend?” Miranda gasped in shock before shaking her head. “I don’t buy that!”

“Sorry?” Colt looked at her with confusion written on his face. “Are you one of our class?” He even scanned her nametag and no recognition showed on his face.

“Colt! I’m Miranda Teasdale. I led the Dragonettes.”

“I thought Amber was the head cheerleader,” Colt answered with a shake of his head.

“The Dragonettes. I led the dance team,” Miranda retorted.

“Oh. That makes sense. I was always in the locker room when you all did your thing,” Colt said dismissively before turning to shake Beau’s hand. His broad shoulders blocked Miranda from the group.

“I’ve been watching the polls. It looks like you are a shoo-in for the Senate,” Colt congratulated him, ignoring the woman behind him.

“Keep your fingers crossed for me, Colt. It’s good to see you in person rather than on TV,” Beau answered with a smile.

“And you two! Are you finally moving home?” Colt asked, stepping forward to hug Maisie and Amber before returning to Harper and pulling her close to his side. When she shifted away, he tightened his grip and gave her a look that seemed very recognizable to Amber.Pure Daddy.

“I just took a job at General Hospital,” Amber admitted.

“Not me. I’m still in the think tank in DC,” Maisie shared. “And I don’t think they’re letting you out of Nashville, Colt.”

“Coming home sounds good now,” he said, looking at Harper before drawing her in for another kiss.

Amber waited until Miranda drifted away before asking, “Have I missed something?”

Harper opened her mouth to answer but stopped abruptly. Colt stepped in smoothly. “Congratulate us. Harper finally agreed to be my girl.”

“Wow! I’m so happy for you. Why didn’t you say something?” Amber asked.

“We needed this to be secret for a while. Now, we’re ready to tell the world,” Colt answered, and Harper nodded with a shy smile.

“Rio sent this and said he’s got your favorite song keyed up. Come sing for us,” a cute waitress chirped, holding out two microphones.

“Oh, I…” Harper tried to say no but Colt steered her to the small stage.

Amber heard his, “Do this for me, Angel. I’ve wanted to sing with you for more than seven thousand days…” before his voice drifted away.

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