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Another knock. This one more impatient. Colby takes in my stunned, wide-eyed expression and moves past me toward the door. He swings it open, and the girls stare up at him in all of his fresh-from-bed glory.

“Um, good morning, Colby,” Mel singsongs, her voice comically light. “Funny meeting you here… first thing in the morning.”

Andie peeks around Colby to look at me, I’m still stuck to my spot in the kitchen. “Well, well, well, I see you had a very good night.”

“You girls and your dirty minds.” Colby steps aside and lets them in before closing the door. “I came over after the game to talk about what happened and it got so late, Noel was kind enough to let me sleep here.”

“How nice of you,” Andie teases.

Mel smirks. “Yes, very hospitable.”

Colby bites his bottom lip, obviously enjoying this. “Well, the coffee is brewing, I’ll leave you to your girl talk.” He takes a few long strides until he’s standing in front of me, then cups my face in his big, warm hands. He kisses me deeply, not caring that the girls are watching. “I’ll see you later, angel.”

“Yeah, see you,” is all I can manage to squeak out. Colby opens the front door, glancing over his shoulder just long enough to give me that dimpled grin, then leaves with a friendly wave goodbye to the girls.

Chaos ensues the second the door closes, Mel and Andie are jumping and squealing and tugging on my pajamas.

“Wow! Like wow!” Mel giggles. “We want to hear everything.”

I roll my eyes and sigh. “There’s nothing to tell.”

Andie crosses her arms. “You mean to tell me, Colby Knight, sex-god of the NHL, spent the night at your house, and nothing happened besides actual sleeping?”

Grabbing a mug, I pour myself a cup of coffee. “That’s exactly what I’m saying. The whole thing with my ex was emotional. We needed to talk it out. He was exhausted from the game, and I was mentally exhausted.” A smile tugs at my lips. “But it was really nice to wake up to him.”

They both go aww.

Andie grabs a mug from the cabinet. “How are you doing after the drama last night, are you okay?”

I blow out a breath, leaning my back against the kitchen counter. “Yeah, I’m okay. It drudged up a lot of old heartache. And I know Colby’s past doesn’t matter, that’s in the past… but trust doesn’t come easy for me. And with their travel schedule…” I gulp. “I worry he might hurt me too.”

Andie takes a step toward me and places a hand on my shoulder. “Colby is crazy about you and has been into you for over a year, right?”

Mel nods, answering her question.

Andie continues, “But trusting someone takes time, and you guys are just starting out. I think in time, Colby will win your trust.”

“Exactly. I agree,” Mel says, coming to stand at my other side. “And if he does hurt you, which he won’t, I know four guys who would gladly kick his ass.”

We laugh at her comment, but there’s a heaviness in the pit of my stomach at the thought of Colby hurting me. And the reminder that he could crush my heart.

Andie and Mel make their tea and coffee and we move into the living room.

“I think it shows how much he’s matured, and how much he likes you, that he’s not only here for the physical benefits. He’s putting the work in to have a relationship with you. Doing whatever he can just to spend time with you. It’s extremely romantic, actually,” Mel says, nestling back into the sofa with a dreamy sigh.

Andie sits on the rug across from us, her brown eyes sparkle with unshed tears. “I agree, he’s being really sweet.” She pauses, her lips pulling up in a smirk. “And I know violence isn’t always the answer, but how hot was it when he punched your ex?”

I laugh. “I’m actually relieved you said that, because I felt guilty for internally swooning. I mean, in the moment it was terrifying, my hands wouldn’t stop shaking. But afterward I realized how sexy it was. I always thought I needed someone safe, someone like Dexter. A man who was reserved and wouldn’t make my heart race. But Dexter would never have never punched someone for me, and I didn’t know how much I needed a man who was willing to fight for me... literally.”

Andie and Mel nod as they listen, obviously agreeing with my thoughts.

“Did I tell you guys Colby is reading The Lord of the Rings trilogy?” I ask, taking a small sip of my coffee.

Andie gasps. “Stop it! That’s too cute!”

Mel smiles. “He’s kind of perfect for you,” she muses. “On paper you two don’t make sense, but seeing it in person?” She mimics a chef’s kiss with her fingers.

I smile back. “Yeah, I think you’re right. He is kind of perfect for me.”