“Actually, I’ll let you get back to your family. I’m about to surprise him, so I need to go.”
I barely heard Maya as I hung up because my stomach lurched at the sight of several tall men walking toward the airport with rolling suitcases.
Leaves crunched under my feet when I stepped onto the parking lot, shouldering my purse and grabbing the bag of food I intended for Colton. Even though the air was as autumn crispy as it can get, sweat prickled at my collar. I leaned against the hood of my car and tried to not feel like a complete stalker. What, exactly, was the difference between surprising someone and stalking them? My bubbling insides calmed when I spotted the casual, confident gait I’d know anywhere. I waved over my head and Colton brightened.
“Violet, what are you doing here?” Colton’s smile stretched across his whole face, and fake or not, it filled me with jump-around-giddy feelings. He broke away from a small group of guys headed into the airport.
“Felt like you could use a little boost.” I extended my hands containing a Wendy’s bag and a Frosty.
Colt stopped walking my way and pressed his hand to his heart. “No. For me?”
My face felt hot. This all seemed like a good idea until I was facing the scrutiny of several giant men. Keeping his eyes on me, Colt called over his shoulder. “Owen!”
The sweet kid who brought me my car at work came jogging over. “Hey, Violet!”
He put his arms out for a hug, which surprised me since I’d only met him once before. Still, I returned his embrace. “How are ya, buddy?”
“Great!” he said. “Hey though, next time you’re going to a college party, invite me! I missed the whole college experience.”
“I don’t think we’ll be frequenting college parties. That was a one and done,” I said with a laugh.
Colt’s jaw feathered and his sunny expression disappeared. “Alright, alright, that’s enough. Owen, carry my food onto the plane. I can’t be seen misbehaving right now.”
“Sure, Cap,” Owen said. “But don’t be surprised if some of the fries are gone.”
Colton scowled at him. “Better not be.”
“Bye, Violet!” Owen called, unaffected by Colt’s mild threat.
“Misbehaving?” I asked, following up on what he said to Owen.
Colt shrugged. “I don’t want to give anyone any reason to criticize me. They’ll somehow call it hangover food or something. Say I’m letting myself go.”
I rubbed his upper arm. “It’ll pass. And you don’t have to take the food. I just didn’t want to come emptyhanded.”
That seemed to shake him out of his negativity. “No. The food’s awesome. Owen probably already ate half of it, but that’s okay. I’m happy to see you. Surprised.”
We fell into a hug and Colton squeezed me tight. He ran his hands up and down my back like he was warming me up, and it made me giggle. “How are you?” he asked. “You sound okay.”
“I just met with my boss. We should be fine. The fantasy league is having a field day, though. Might need you to Jones them.”
He kissed the top of my head. “Just let me know when and where.”
I held him tighter and hummed. “Such a dirty talker. You know how to get a girl going.”
Colt chuckled. “Violence does it for you?”
“Violence on my behalf? Absolutely. We’ll get to dark romance eventually.”
Colt’s smile turned wry. “Yeah. Guess I’ll start that hockey romance on the flight.”
I chewed my bottom lip and blinked against the sun behind him. “You’re tired. You can take a break. Or quit entirely. It’s a massive favor. Don’t wear yourself out over me.”
Colton stuck out his lip. “Nah. You don’t wear me out.” His eyes skated over my face. “You make everything better.”
My throat tightened. Colton: vulnerable to a fault, as always. I wrapped my arms around his waist to hug him again.
“Well, just know you have my permission to do whatever will make you feel good.” I hesitated, thinking that statement through. “I mean, except doing sexy stuff with other people. Unless you want to. But, you know, just let me know so I don’t?—”
