Page 265 of One More Kiss

“How long are you staying?”

He leans against the counter and crosses his arms over his chest. “I planned on the week if you can stand having me around for that long.”

It’s not a matter of if I can stand it, it’s a matter of if I will survive it. Any other time I would have been fine. I’ve had years of practicing, tucking my feelings into a neat little box. But all the talk about telling him I’m in love with him has me an emotional wreck. “You know that you can stay here whenever you want for as long as you want.”

And if I had my way, it would be permanent. But I’ll take the week, because it’s rare that he’s ever away from LA for that long.

“I’m not crashing your plans this week, am I? If you have things going on, you don’t have to worry about me. I’ll find something to do.”

I nervously rub my fingers along the edge of my sweatshirt. “You know that just because you’re staying here, doesn’t mean that you’re obligated to hang with me either. You have the code to the door and can come and go as you please.”

Colton straightens and grabs the hand that is fiddling with my sweatshirt. “We have pretty much the same circle of friends. So we can plan some group stuff, but we can also do whatever you want. I do have one request, though?”

His thumb is rubbing circles against the back of my hand, causing goosebumps to rise on my skin. Okay, seriously, what is happening right now? This feels intimate and so unlike Colton.

I try to keep my voice steady when I respond, “What’s that?”

“We need to squeeze in our annual flag football game. I know it’s been a while since I was able to participate, but I think it would be a great way to get everyone together.”

It’s been years since we’ve all played together and would be so much fun. I miss holding a football in my hand. “Let’s set up a group chat and message the team. If they know you’re in town, I’m sure they will drop everything to make it.”

“In the meantime, I’m starving.” Colton squeezes my hand. “How about you let me take you to breakfast and we can plan our week together.”

I glance down at my leggings and sweatshirt. Not quite what I want to wear to breakfast with him. “Let me change real quick. How about the Main Street Diner? We can order the Colton Hayes special.”

Colton groans and rolls his eyes. “Maybe not the diner. You know how awkward it was when they first announced they were naming a menu item after me.”

“Okay. How about Janelle’s coffee shop? She has that little room in the back that we can have all to ourselves, and no one will bother us.”

“Perfect. While you’re getting ready, I’ll unpack my bag and change my shirt. See you in ten.”

I watch Colton make his way down the hall to the bedroom next to mine. I don’t know how I’m going to get any sleep tonight knowing he’s in the next room. Wondering if he sleeps in his boxer briefs or naked. And now I’m thinking about him naked. I wish Allie never brought up my relationship with Colton. Somehow, I need to find a way to get over him. But that would entail me dating, and after Travis, the thought makes me nauseous.

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