“And you’re drinking with them?”
“It was a coincidence. Noah and I didn’t know they’d be here. If the young guy who’s had too many drinks comes over to you, send him away. Or better yet, send him tome.”
She frowned. “Why?”
“He thinks you’re…pretty.”
She almost laughed at the near anger in his voice. “Doyouthink I’m pretty?”
“No. I think you’re gorgeous.”
Air caught in her lungs. Colt had always had a way of making her feel like the most beautiful woman in any room she walked into.
“Where’s your wedding and engagement ring, Cricket?”
She jolted. Crap. “Stored away safe.” It wasn’t a lie. She just wasn’t sure exactlywherethey were stored.
He nodded, but the thinning of his lips said he didn’t like that she didn’t wear it. While he always had his on.
“I’m glad you didn’t date while we were separated,” she said quietly, needing a change of subject.
“It was never going to happen. Just like signing those divorce papers.”
Had she ever expected him to sign them? She wasn’t sure. She actually wasn’t sure howshe’dsigned them.
She looked away and spotted another couple watching her on the dance floor. A married couple she’d photographed a few years ago.
She smiled at them, but they both quickly looked away.
Strange.
She looked back at Colt. “Have you heard any rumors around town about me?”
“What kind of rumors?”
“Involving me and…money. Maybe something to do with my photography business?”
“No. Who told you there was a rumor?”
“A client made a comment.” She shook her head. “It’s probably nothing.”
But the realistic part of her knew that wasn’t true. Because rumors would explain everything. Why business had been so bad. Why clients were acting strange around her.
She needed to know who started them, particularly if it was Sylvia.
Colt’s arms tightened around her. And when his thumb grazed her side, her skin burned like it was on fire.
“So…where did we land on that dinner at Mom’s?” he asked.
She looked back up at him. If she wanted to give this marriage another go—and she really did—then she needed to work things out with Sylvia. She needed to figure out why the other woman disliked her and if that was ever going to change.
“I’ll go to dinner at your mom’s.”
He gave her a sweet smile. “Yeah?”
“Yeah.”
“Good.” He lowered his head and touched his temple to her head. “You make me happy, Indie.”
