Page 23 of Let Me Love You

“Such as this upcoming season. And the paparazzi who don’t like to leave you alone. And who the Lions are gonna draft, and if they’ll be a good fit for the team.”

“Those are a lot of stressors,” I note.

He reaches over and grasps my fidgeting hand, rubbing his thumb back and forth along my skin. The innocent touch warms me. Comforts me. Eases the anxiety that loves to follow me wherever I go.

“Yeah. But I’m still sorry,” Colt apologizes. “If I’ve seemed off. There’s a lot on my plate right now, but it’s no excuse.”

“I didn’t suggest we go to dinner so you’d feel like you need to apologize. You’ve done nothing wrong. I’ve felt like you’ve been a little preoccupied, and I wanted to make sure you’re okay. That’s all.”

“I’m okay,” he murmurs. “And I’m sorry. I’ll try to be better.”

I nod. “All right.”

“So you never told me…” Colt mentions, changing the subject. “Did Mia end up telling your landlord she’s moving out?”

“Actually, yeah. A couple weeks ago,” I answer. “The landlord gave her until the end of the summer before she needs to find a new place, but I have no idea what she’s going to do because her interviews haven’t been going well, and if she doesn’t find something soon, I don’t know where she’s going to live.”

Colt is well aware of Mia’s financial issues, the same way I've been since we moved in together.

And even though they’re only friends, he cares about her like I do.

“How did her last interview go?” Colt asks, letting my hand go and taking a sip of his water. “The one at Lockwood Medical.”

I shake my head and shrug one shoulder. “She didn’t get it.”

“Is she sure?”

“Yeah.” Wringing my hands in my lap, I admit, “I’m kind of worried about her, Colt.”

It's probably my biggest flaw and greatest strength. The way I worry about everyone around me. I care about them and their happiness and whether or not they're doing all right. Whether it's financially, or emotionally, or physically, it doesn't matter. I care. And when I care about someone who is as self-destructive as Mia? Well, needless to say, it weighs heavily on my mind sometimes.

“You’re always worried about her,” he points out with a knowing smile.

“I can’t help it. It’s who I am.” I groan and cover my face.

“And it’s why you’re gonna be a great teacher.”

“I think you might have too much faith in me,” I mutter, dropping my hands back to my lap. “If I feel like this much of a mama bear around my friends, can you imagine how protective I’ll feel about all my students?”

“Yeah, but it’s what’s gonna make you a great mom one day.”

“Mm-hmm,” I hum through pursed lips.

We’ve never had the official kids talk. We aren’t even engaged yet. But he knows I want a big family. And I know he wants a few children too. Not today. Not for another few years. But one day.

I like myone dayswith him.

“Enough stressful talk,” I announce. “Tell me something good.”

“Well,” Colt starts. “Let's see. Something good. Something good.” He pauses as the waitress appears with our food and sets two pasta dishes in front of us.

Twirling his fork in his linguini, Colt takes a bite. A bit of the white sauce paints his upper lip, and I smile, shamelessly drooling over the guy. The man is so boyish, so handsome. He doesn't even realize it most days.

Feeling someone's gaze on us, I turn and find a pair of women around our age staring at us. From across the room, one covers the side of her mouth and whispers something to her friend. It takes everything inside of me tonotroll my eyes.

Subtle, girlfriend. Really subtle.

“Seems you have some fans,” I mention to Colt as one of them stands up and walks toward us on high heels.

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