“Yeah, of course. I’ll tell you over and over if it will help.” He smiled back.
My mood was already significantly better than when I had walked through our front door this afternoon. Colton’s kind reassurance and the attentive way he listened eased something inside me.
“You’re one of the best friends I’ve ever had.” I admitted, watching him closely.
“Even Brooks?” He seemed to be shocked at that confession.
I laughed, nodding my head.
“Even Brooks. But don’t tell him that. I don’t need to be loved-bombed just so he can one-up his little brother.”
Colton snickered, his grin infectious.
“You’re definitely one of the best friends I have too, Derek.” Colton lazily dropped his head into his hand propped on the back of the couch.
Somehow, even though I’d just said those exact words to him, it stung hearing them back. It was a reminder of what we were to each other. Where we needed tostay.
Friends.
“Well,” I shook my head, “obviously beer makes meemotional.” Groaning as I stood, I collected my bottle from the table. I’d finished off the one, but the desire to keep going had disappeared the more Colton and I talked.
Colton let out an amused hum.
“I kind of like sappy Derek. Maybe you should drink more often.” He teased.
“Yeah, you like it now, but wait until I’m sloppy drunk, and relentlessly telling you how pretty you are.” I joked, tossing the empty glass into the recycling bin.
“You think I’m pretty?” Colton had a look on his face like he was trying to project an air of smug confidence but his smile gave him away. It was his customer-service one.
“Sure.” I admitted, shrugging some. “You’re an attractive guy.”
Damn, apparently one beer reallycouldloosen my lips. Why had I said that?
Colton sputtered out a laugh that sounded almost forced.
“Maybe it is a good thing you don’t drink more, I can’t imagine a sloppy Derek.” He mused as he stood. The way he kept his head down had his hair falling to obscure his face.
“Well, I’m going to go get ready for my shift. Good chat, bud.” He muttered as he turned abruptly.
I couldn’t explain the urge that came over me, but I suddenly needed to see him. I wanted to know the expression he wore after I told him the truth—that he was attractive and I was attractedtohim. Well, I hadn’t exactly said that part, but it was still true.
“We good?” I called after him.
“Yeah, we’re good.”
It was only the briefest glimpse of his face but it was all I needed.
Colton was blushing. And it was so damn cute.
CHAPTER 10
Colton
Sweat drippeddown my back uncomfortably as we walked in the early morning heat through the already crowded lawn of Town Hall. It was a weekly routine for Chris and I to come by the farmer’s market every Saturday to keep up on seasonal trends and stock Bikini Beans with local wares. She was currently eyeing some honey at one of the booths eagerly, her all black attire giving me vicarious heat exhaustion. But, she wasn’t the only reason I was out here today. Glancing over, I checked again to see if Derek had finally finished picking out the peaches he wanted. He hadn’t.
“Loook!” Chris cooed, pulling my attention back toward her. She was cradling a peached-shaped honey jar like it contained the elixir of life with an overly excited grin plastered to her face. “It’s peach-infused honey! And it comes in such a cute jar!”
She looked at me expectantly, probably wanting just as much enthusiasm. I absently eyed the container, trying to muster some semblance of positivity toward the thing. “Cute. Are there bits of fruit floating in it?”
