Page 66 of Wilde Hearts

“I was mentally preparing myself.”

Confused, she asked, “For dinner?”

I let out a huff of laughter. “For dinner with your mother and father, as well as you. A part of me thinks this is all a plan to get me into your father’s house so he can beat the hell out of me.”

She drew back and frowned. “You think my father would hurt you?”

“If I were your father, I’d want to throttle me. So, yes.”

Another smile appeared, and it was damn nice to see that instead of a frown or dirty look. She drew in a deep breath and exhaled. “My father isn’t going to throttle you, Colt. Maybe ten years ago he would have, especially since I spent days in their bed, crying.”

An instant stabbing pain hit my chest, and I closed my eyes. “I’m so sorry, Pippa.”

My eyes snapped open when she took my hands in hers. The skin-to-skin contact felt like pure heaven. “It’s in the past, and I…I think for both of our sakes, we should move on.”

It was my turn to be confused. “You do?”

She nodded. “Yes.” Another deep breath. “I know you said that you still loved me—”

“I do,” I quickly interjected. “I never stopped.”

The corner of her mouth twitched in an almost-smile. “And I already told you that I was still in love with you. So Caden had a suggestion for us earlier today.”

Intrigued, I asked, “What was it?”

She swallowed hard. “It’s just a suggestion…”

I nodded, willing her to hurry up and say it. “I’m not going to lie, if Caden told me to die my hair rainbow-colored and dance naked on Main Street to get you back, I’d already be on the phone booking my hair appointment.”

“It’s not that outrageous, Colt. He just thinks we should start over.”

“Start over how?”

She looked down at the ground and kicked at nothing. “He thinks we should date. Like, from the beginning.”

I fought the urge to jump back into my truck and drive to Caden’s house. I’d never in my life wanted to hug a dude, but damn it all to hell if I didn’t want to hug Caden Wilde at this very moment.

Forcing myself to stay calm, I replied, “I like that idea.”

Her head snapped up, and she did smile this time. “You do?”

I nodded and tucked a loose strand of blonde hair behind her ear. “Yeah. I like it a lot.”

She bit her lower lip, and it took every ounce of strength I had not to kiss her.

Poking her finger into my chest, she said, “I’m still mad at you, though. Don’t forget that.”

I held up my hands. “I won’t, I promise.”

A little smirk appeared, and fuck if I didn’t want to kiss her again.

“Okay, well, my mom and dad are probably peeking out the window watching us.”

I laughed. “Reminds me of old times.”

“It does, doesn’t it?” she laughed. “Ready?”

Nodding, I replied, “It’s now or never.”