Page 89 of Right Number, Wrong Man
His head tilts as he rubs along his jaw. “Did it work?”
I bite my lip, pinching my fingers. “Just a little.”
Colt’s eyes flick to my mouth. He reaches out and I’m stunned by the most obscure, crazy thought.
Is he going to kiss me?
Then he sets a hand on my shoulder and something in my chest withers.
“I want you to try out a revolver,” he says brightly. “Afterward I have a surprise for you.”
33
COLT
Hailey with a gunwas the hottest thing ever. I’ve had a boner since I put the pistol in her hand and it’s still going strong, literally making it hard to focus on our picnic.
“You’re a quick learner,” I say and finish the last bite of my steak sandwich. “A few more lessons and you’ll be a crack shot.” I smirk, slouching on the blanket we spread on the shorter grass by the forest edge.
Hailey wipes mustard sauce from her lips with a paper napkin. “What can I say? I have a great teacher… and he makes a mean steak sandwich, too.”
“Twocompliments at once? You sure you didn’t hit yourself in the head with that first shot?”
She giggles. “Don’t push your luck.”
I reach into the picnic basket and take out a small box with a bow. “As promised, one more surprise. Open it.”
She puts her sandwich down on the napkin and takes the gift. “But I’m not going to say thank you before I know what it is,” she quips, tugging on the ribbon. When she opens the box, her face lights up. “Apinkrevolver? I had no idea they made pinkguns!”
“I had it custom painted for you.”
“Seriously? Thank you!” Hailey beams a grin at me, and I feel like a popsicle melting in the summer heat.
I flush, clapping a hand on the nape of my neck as I speak. “Unlike semi-automatic pistols, a revolver never jams, making it the most reliable weapon for you to carry. And I thought a snub nose would fit in almost any purse. I know y’all ladies like to change your purses to match your outfits and all.”
“You really put a lot of thought into this,” Hailey says and her lips pinch.
My heart plummets into my gut. Why is she looking so dejected all of a sudden?
She puts the revolver back in the box, brows drawing together. “I don’t mean to spoil the mood, but is now a good time to talk?”
“You ain’t giving methe talk, are you?” I joke, but my voice comes out too thin.
She snorts. “Yes, I want to tell you about the birds and the bees. When a man really loves a woman they?—”
I chuckle, ripping out a blade of grass to throw at her and she squeals.
“You can talk to me about anything, anytime, Spitfire. So, what’s up?”
Her smile fades again and she shifts uncomfortably. “This conversation is overdue, but better late than never, right?”
My pulse stutters.
“I want to apologize to you, Colt.”
“F-for what?” I choke out.
“Well, umm, first off, I have to say that I still don’t agree with your decision to lie about the prank. But I’m sorry for the way I treated you and?—”
