He nods, and if I’m not mistaken, the look on his face is approval.
Before I can type a word, a text comes through from Ben.
Starved. Grabbing a snack. You okay?
I’m fine,I type.Take your time.
“They seem like good big brothers.” Colton’s voice cuts through the sudden silence that’s hit the bench we’re sitting on.
“They are.” I almost tell him how we have no choice but to rely on each other, but I bite my lip to keep the secret from spilling out.
Colton’s eyes are on me, though, and his gaze dips to my mouth and then back up. He opens his mouth like he’s going to ask more but then reaches for my hand instead.
“Let’s go.”
* * *
Colton was right. I haven’t been to the spot he takes me to.
“I don’t know how I missed this,” I say softly as I turn around in a full circle. “It’s amazing here.”
We’re in the middle of a stand of aspen trees. The sun peeks through the delicate leaves of the aspens, and the sky is a cloudless blue. The grass at our feet is soft and lush, and I hear the cry of a hawk as it flies overhead. This place is truly magical.
“The mountains are peeking through.” I point at the majestic peaks in the distance. “I love seeing them.”
“I’m lucky,” Colton says. “I grew up at the base of a mountain.”
“You’re from Colorado?” I ask him.
“Montana,” he says. “The mountains are different up there but beautiful in their own way. I don’t know what I’d do if I didn’t have them to center me. I’m always looking at them when I’m outside.”
“That sounds nice.”
“Where are you all from?” he asks me. “Nick and Ben never mentioned.”
I nod. “Yeah. Um…we’re going to our home in Connecticut after this vacation.”
“New England, huh?” He winks. “They’ve got a pretty good football team.”
I dig my teeth into my bottom lip and don’t say anything more. I can feel my chest starting to heave from the tension coursing through my body. I can hear Ivan in my head, warning me to keep my mouth closed. I stare up at Colton helplessly and then look behind him to the mountains peeking through the aspen leaves.
The beauty of the Rockies settles me, and I catch my breath.
Colton takes the hint and doesn’t ask more questions.
And somehow, my anxiety turns into attraction. My stomach turns in knots for this boy standing across from me, so innocent and kind and yet so sexy and mature. Despite his teasing nature, he acts older than his seventeen years.
His blue eyes lock onto my green ones, and I take a step closer to him.
He reaches out for my waist, and his warm hands envelop my sides.
The breeze is blowing gently, and the sun is hitting our faces. If there could be a perfect place in the world for a first kiss, I swear it would be right here. And if there were a perfect moment…well, I’m no expert, but I can’t imagine a time better than this.
Colton leans in toward me. “Sky…” he says, his eyes roving over my face.
I don’t know what he sees in my expression. But whatever it is breaks the tension between us.
Colton drops his hands off my body, stuffs them into his shorts pockets, and steps backward. Before I can react, he sinks down to the grass and pats the spot next to him.
