Page 99 of Better Together

She playfully pushed at his chest. She’d never cared for her middle name, but Colt made it sound almost sweet.

Remi played with the cuff of the flannel shirt she wore. “I’ve been thinking about something else too, but it might be a little over-the-top for tonight.”

Colt held up the card. “I’m not sure anything could top the L-word and this.”

She tilted her head back and forth. To say it or not to say it?

“Come on. Spit it out. I can’t take the suspense.”

“Do you want to sleep in the bedroom?”

Colt adjusted the hold he had on her waist and lifted her into a football hold. She yelped and slapped a hand over her mouth.

“I was wrong. Official best day ever.”

Remi pushed her hair out of her face and punched his leg. “Put me down. We have things to talk about.”

He set her on her feet right inside the bedroom and tossed the social security card onto the dresser. “Yes. Talk. We should do that. You start.”

Remi held up a warning finger. “Sleep. Nothing else.”

Colt nodded, probably rattling his brain in his skull. “Got it. No touching.”

“I’m serious, Colt.”

His shoulders sank, but a grin spread on his mouth. “I know. I’m serious too. I can totally sleep next to you without ravishing you.”

Remi narrowed her eyes at him. “I do love the new kissing development, but I’m not ready for…everything.”

Colt wrapped his arms around her shoulders, squeezing her cheek to his warm chest. “I understand. I don’t think we’re ready either. Nothing has to be fast. We’re already married, which means we have the rest of our lives together.”

A quiet knock on the bedroom door had both of them turning their heads. Abby stood in the doorway, clutching Bun Bun to her chest.

Colt released his hold on her and crouched in front of Abby. “Hey, sweetie. What’s wrong?”

The pitiful frown on Abby’s face was enough to break Remi’s heart. The nightmares had been less frequent lately. She opened her arms, and Abby stepped into the embrace.

“You know how you told me not to say hate anymore?”

“Yes.” Abby’s habit of hating everything that didn’t go her way was getting out of hand.

Abby’s chin quivered. “Well, I woke up because I had a nightmare, and I was talking to Bun Bun, and…”

“And what?” Colt asked, almost as impatient as Remi to hear what Abby had been discussing with Bun Bun in the middle of the night.

“And I told Bun Bun I hate mosquito bites.” She wrapped her arm around Remi’s neck. “I’m sorry!”

Remi pinched her lips between her teeth and looked over Abby’s shoulder at Colt. Barely holding in the laughter, she whispered, “It’s okay. It’s okay.”

Colt stood and walked out of the room, clearly about to burst.

“Abby, listen. You’re not in trouble, but I do want you to stop hating so much. Maybe try to focus on the things you love, like Bun Bun.”

“And you, and Uncle Colt, and Ben.”

“Exactly.” She rubbed Abby’s back. “Actually, I think I need to learn the same lesson.”

“Really?”

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