Page 82 of Never Really Over

I hear the front door open and close, followed by footsteps.

I turn toward my mom and Colt and lift a finger to my lips, letting them know to stay quiet. Maverick doesn’t know what the universal shush sign is, but with a quick grab to his collar, Colt halts him from running over to us. He whines but sits obediently next to Colt’s feet, looking up at him with his tongue hanging out of his mouth and tail wagging when Colt gives him praise.

Colt, though, hasn’t taken his eyes off me. He raises his eyebrows and I wish I could read his expression. “You got her to sleep?”

“I didn’t mean to. We were reading and she zonked out.”

He shakes his head slightly and looks at Mom then back to me. “It’s okay. It was past her bedtime, anyway. Want me to take her? I need to change her diaper before laying her down.”

“Not really,” I admit, cuddling her. “But she probably does need a diaper change.”

His smile does funny things to my insides, turning them upside down. “Holding her while she’s sleeping is the best, right? She’s so warm and cozy.”

“She is,” I agree. “Sorry you didn’t get to spend much time with her, Mom. I know you were looking forward to that.”

“Next time,” Mom says. “She seemed really taken with you and I didn’t want to interfere. I’m going to head home. I’m pretty tired. I’ll see you when you get home, okay?”

This was part of her plan. Leave before me so that Colt and I have time together. Maybe a little sneaky, but not unexpected. I also can’t say that I’m not grateful for it, either. I love that she knows me so well, and that she understands that I want all the time I can get with Colt. “Drive careful.”

“Always,” she promises. “Colt, thank you. For everything,” she says pointedly. “I didn’t realize how much I needed this tonight.”

“Anytime, Maureen. I mean that. Want me to walk you out?”

“I’m perfectly capable of getting myself to my car on my own, but you’re kind to offer.” She gives him a hug goodbye then leans down to kiss Poppy’s head and mine. “Sweet baby,” she coos.

With a little wave, she walks out the door.

Colt takes Poppy to get her ready for bed and I pick up the toys and books scattered in the living room then clean up a little in the kitchen. We put away the food already, but there are some dishes that need to go in the dishwasher yet, and a pan that needs scrubbing.

“You didn’t have to do that,” Colt says, startling me and making me jump.

“Holy crap,” I say, breathing hard. Pressing a hand to my chest, I feel my heart racing. “You scared me. I didn’t hear you come in.”

He smiles a crooked grin, leaning casually against the wall.

“You were focused.”

“I guess.” Wiping my hands on a towel, I drape it over the pan I just finished washing.

“Get her down?”

He nods. “She didn’t even stir when I was changing her.”

That makes me smile. “She was out, huh?”

“Apparently so. Want to stay for a while or do you need to head home?”

He’d have to physically remove me from his house right now. I have no desire to leave, and maybe I shouldn’t admit it, but not just tonight. Being here with him feels more than just comfortable. I feel at home here.

“I can stay.”

“Good. Little chilly outside, but want to go out there? I have the monitor in case she wakes up.”

“That’d be good.”

“Let me grab you a sweatshirt.”

I grin to myself when he leaves, happy with my decision to see if I could borrow one of his, and take a deep breath to calm myself down. For whatever reason, I’m jittery so I shake out my hands. Colt has that effect on me, though. Just being in his presence makes me feel young and alive again.

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