Page 103 of Colt

I laughed. “Just a few months to go.”

“I feel like I’m carrying triplets already,” Soph huffed, eyes resting on my bag. “Where you going?”

“I’m staying at the gallery tonight,” I explained before lowering my voice. “Colt’s meeting me there.”

“Ahh,” she said knowingly. “A lovers rendezvous. I bet you’re looking forward to some privacy.”

“You could say that.” I waggled my eyebrows and laughed.

Soph smiled. “Have a good night. I just wanted to let you know Cash is going down to Grand Junction to get Ed tomorrow. We’re going to settle him in and then let Kennedy loose on him.”

My heart warmed. “How’s his recovery going?”

“Okay,” she replied. “The vet center’s happy with his progress. He’s a lot more nervous than Kit was when he came home, but Ed’s never been here before. It’s all new for him. Even the thought of having his own apartment is stressing him out,”

“Is he okay for money and support?” I asked.

“Yeah,” she told me. “Ed’s claimed his military pension and Nina’s helped him apply for a grant. Kit’s hired him to protect Kennedy, so he’s got work already, and you know your dad will find him something if it doesn’t work out. Kit’s taking him up to Rock Springs, and he’s got Nina on speed dial. We’re all set.”

“We’re one of the richest nations in the world,” I grumbled. “Why do so many people struggle to afford healthcare? And there are millions of people on the streets. What’s going on?”

Sophie shrugged. “Budget cuts and a general attitude of not giving a shit. We send men and women to war, break them, and then forget about them. Look at what Kit suffered. Thank God for places like Grand Junction.”

“We’ll look after him too,” I said determinedly. “He can’t go wrong with the club and the ol’ ladies behind him.”

Sophie made a sound of agreement. “I wanted to ask you about your internships. Have you settled on a specialty yet?”

“Definitely trauma surgery,” I confirmed. “I loved working in the ER.”

“Did you take my advice about applying to smaller hospitals?” she asked.

I nodded. “Yeah. I’ve applied to programs with small intakes.”

“Good.” She said, sounding relieved. “You’re ready to carry out simple surgeries now. A smaller hospital will be glad to have you. You need training, of course, but you’ve already got the basics down. You’ll be an asset.” She cocked her head. “What’s Colt said about it? Is he following you?”

I opened my mouth to reply but stopped when I realized I didn’t actually know the answer. I wracked my brain, trying to recall conversations about it, but nothing sprang to mind. My blood ran cold when it hit me that nothing had been set in stone. Never once had Colt said he’d find work close to where I took a placement. I’d just assumed he would.

Sophie knew about mine and Colt’s relationship, but I hadn’t told the ol’ ladies he was joining the FBI. He’d only told me about it because I’d overheard his conversation with Cash, but he’d changed the subject before going into any meaningful detail.

A heavy feeling settled in my stomach.

“We haven’t spoken about it yet,” I whispered, throat hot with emotion.

“Oh,” she exclaimed.

Biting my lip, I wondered how one solitary word could be filled with so much pity.

Sophie squeezed my arm. “Are you okay?”

Tears flooded my eyes. “I don’t know. You just made me realize that he hasn’t made any plans with me. He said we’ll be together, but we’ve not discussed details. I don’t know how I missed it.”

“It’s not like you,” Soph murmured. “Since you’ve been back, I’ve noticed how quiet and subdued you’ve been. You’re not loud at all, but you make your presence known. It’s like you’ve shrunk into yourself. You’re the first one to give the guys shit, but you seem so distracted that all their shit goes over your head.”

My brow furrowed.

Sophie was right. Since I’d gotten back, I’d been unsettled. A feeling of impending doom had weighed down on me. If I was honest with myself, Colt had been a little offhand with me, like I was an irritating child he had to tolerate. It made me nervous about what we were doing.

My eyes lifted to Sophie’s. “I need to pin him down, don’t I?”

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