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“I’m just really happy and extremely nervous – so if you get a lame, clingy, or needy-yet-slightly-freaked-out text during the next three days while I’m on duty, just remember that I’m probably dehydrated, exhausted, or my overactive imagination is panicking.”
“So, we’ll be texting each other?” she asked, a little touched and surprised by his admission.
“Digital love notes instead of passing the sheets of paper… sure,” he smirked and winked at her before glancing at his watch. “Shoot. I’ve gotta go, or I’m going to be late.”
To her surprise, Colton leaned down and kissed her cheek. As he pulled away, he met her eyes and gave her a nervous smile before whispering for her ears alone.
“This is me getting in the water. Let’s let the dog-paddling begin…”
They shared a look, only to have him glance at his watch again, before muttering ‘oh shoot!’ – and then grabbing his shoes, running barefoot out the front door a second later.
“Byeeee, Daddy!” Zane hollered, and she was about to open her mouth to explain to her son’s hurt face – because someone had the audacity to leave without saying ‘bye’ to him… only to see the front door open quickly. Colton’s head peeked in.
“Bye buddy… I’ve gotta go – love you!”
To her surprise, he turned to look at her – and winked. “See ya in a few days, Eris…” and was gone again.
Eris and Zane looked at each other, blinked in surprise, and she saw her son smile happily.
“Daddy so silly, Mama…”
“Yeah, he is something – isn’t he?” she replied softly, but her thoughts were anything but ‘silly’ right now. No, she kept thinking about what had just happened not twenty minutes ago. Waking up with Colton holding her, kissing her, and talking to her intimately had not been even on her radar – nor had the idea of them trying to work toward a relationship.
Yet, they were both talking about trying to take the steps to bring them back together, and she heard her phone ding where she left it on the table. Zane was sitting there, waiting patiently for his breakfast and the house seemed so empty. Taking a moment to make his toast, she finally checked her phone and smiled.
At a red light – can’t stop thinking about you. Don’t forget to get our son some toys while I’m gone. Left my bank card on the counter for you.
And get yourself some clothes.
Don’t think that I didn’t notice that you hardly picked out anything for yourself.
The red lights in this town are all timed together – both good and bad!
Smiling, she looked around and noticed that he had left his card for her right next to the coffee pot that was currently brewing. It was a shame that he didn’t have a chance to eat or drink his coffee before racing out of the house, and it was really sweet that he noticed things about her.
Eris had picked out only the bare minimum to get by because she had been waiting for her own paycheck to hit the bank. She never expected him to pay for everything or be this generous. All of this was really touching and far beyond what she had ever imagined, and he’d literally stepped up, devoting himself to her and Zane without a second thought.
Man, if that wasn’t incredibly appealing, she didn’t know what was.
Let’s see, hot guy that likes you?
Loves your son?
Willing to take things slow to build a relationship… and watching out for you both?
“It’s not going to take much to make me jump into the water with you, Colton…” she whispered aloud to herself as her own toast popped.
11
* * *
COLTON
“You’re late,” Justin said bluntly, waiting at the front door to the fire station when Colton got out of his truck. It was on the tip of his tongue to tell his new captain to mind his own business, but he wanted the next truck and needed to learn from this man.
“I had an unexpected surprise.”
“It better be a good one. This is twice in two weeks.”
