Knock knock
“Hey, Ally?”
I cracked the door open without thinking and suddenly stood face-to-face with Colton. He seemed as surprised as I was that I had opened the door. His face was bright red. He glanced down at the towel that covered me and shot his eyes back up to my face. “Uh, sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt. I just wanted to let you know that we’re gonna head to the arena in about an hour. If that works for you.”
I tightened the towel around me, feeling embarrassed that I had opened the door in the first place. “Um, yes! That sounds great. Thank you.”
He was still in his dirty white shirt, although now it was so wet with his sweat that I could practically see through it.
I forced myself not to look at the abs that seemed to stare at me. “You probably want to shower and get ready,” I said, running a hand through my sopping wet hair. “Give me just a few minutes, and I’ll be out of your way.”
He held up his hands and took a step back. “No rush.”
With talk of going to the arena, Corporate Allegra was starting to creep back in. I cleared my throat and straightened my posture. “Listen, Colton. I’m really sorry I…kissed you. That was-”
Colton looked almost stern. “If you say ‘unprofessional,’ I’m gonna be upset.” He warned.
I opened and closed my mouth.
“And for the record, I kissed you, Ally, and I don’t regretit for a second.” He was leaning down now, whispering an inch away from my face. “In fact, I’d like to do it again, if that’s all right with you.”
He was such a gentleman. I nodded, my eyes already locked on his lips. He put his thumb under my chin, pulling my jaw up. I kissed him first this time, proving to him that I wanted this just as much, if not more than he did.
“Colton, I swear if you leave one more pair of socks in my kitch-Oh!”
Colton pulled away and faced his mother. “Hi Mamma.”
Jo was standing in the hall, a look of complete shock on her face. “Ya know what, just pretend I’m not here!” She turned on one heel and disappeared before either of us could respond.
Colton was as red as acherry. He put his hand behind his neck and laughed awkwardly. “I told you this house was a madhouse.”
My face was hot, and I chuckled nervously. “I’ll be out in a few minutes,” I promised.
“Okay, no rush,” Colton said again, still blushing.
I shut the door.
~~~
It was amazing to watch the boys work in perfect harmony as they loaded the horses. They each had a specific job, working around each other.
I stood back, out of the way, to let them work. My arms were folded over my tight blue dress, keeping my hands from hanging awkwardly at my sides. I had found a thin whitecardiganto cover the nasty bruise that infected my shoulder.
“You look lovely.”
I gasped. I swear I had more jump scares in this house than in my entire life. I smiled at Jo, trying not to picture her face standing outside the bathroom. “Hi, Jo. Thank you, so do you.”
She was wearing her own version of the black jersey with the “Nash” name and number. She wrapped her arms around me and pulled me close. “Sorry, sweets! Didn’t mean to scare ya!”
I hugged her back. “I guess I was just lost in my own thoughts.”
She sighed into my hair. “I’m just glad you’re okay. I can’t tell you how grateful I am for you right now.”
I felt shy, unable to form a coherent response. She released me, and it was time to confront the elephant in the room. “Jo, I would like to apologize for-”
She held up her hand, stopping me. “Allegra, we are so grateful you’re here. It’s been such a treat to have you stay with us.” She took a breath, contentedly. “You’re good for my boy.”
I closed my eyes, letting myself freeze the moment. She treated me like her own daughter, and she had only known me for a few weeks.
