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An avalanche of guilt attempts to bury me alive.
Axel is an entirely different problem.
One I try not to dwell on.
Just as I’m contemplating a response, a brawny arm is thrown around my shoulders and I’m hauled against a hard body before being inundated by a woodsy scent. My eyes collide with bright blue ones as a spark of electricity charges the chilled air that swirls around us.
“B? Are you still there?”
My attention stays locked on Colby. “Yeah, I’m here.” Even though I have zero intention of doing it, I say, “I’ll think about everything we talked about and get back to you later, all right?”
“Sounds good, honey. I love you.”
“Love you, too.” When Colby’s brows shoot up and the laughter brimming in his eyes fades, I blurt, “Dad.”
Ending the call, I slip my phone into the pocket of my black puffy jacket.
“Fancy meeting you here,” he says in greeting.
My visceral reaction to him takes me by surprise.
Maybe after the other night, it shouldn’t.
“Yeah…what are the odds of running into each other on a campus we both attend?” I slant a look his way. “Probably astronomical, right?”
There’s a flash of white teeth in the sunlight. “You’re hilarious.”
“I’m not trying to be,” I mutter, hating the way my heartbeat picks up tempo with his proximity.
He hauls me closer before whispering, “I know. That’s what makes it so damn funny.”
Before I can think of a pithy retort, he changes the subject. “Are you headed to the Union for lunch?”
“Umm…” It’s so tempting to lie, but part of me is exhausted by how often I’m forced to fabricate pieces of my life. As much as I want to dismiss Colby and walk away without a second thought, that’s no longer possible. Somehow, he’s managed to crawl beneath my skin when I wasn’t looking. “Yeah, but only to grab something before heading to the library.”
“How about you eat lunch with me instead?”
Air gets clogged in my chest. “Eat with you? Again?”
“Yup. We’ll just call this date number two.”
“Ahhh—”
“A bunch of the guys will be there. And probably a few of your friends as well.”
I chew my lower lip as he propels us closer to the brick building.
It’s a terrible idea. My life is maxed out in the complication department. The last thing I should do is add Colby to the mix.
He turns his head until his warm breath can ghost across my skin. “What do you say, firecracker? Have lunch with me?”
The huskiness of his voice coupled with the way he squeezes me against him is enough to send a cascade of shivers careening down my spine. Before I can decline the offer, he ushers me through the glass doors and into the warm building. After the bite of the breeze, the heat feels good. My breath catches when he pulls me close enough to feel the hard lines of his muscular body.
“Are you cold?”
“A little.”
“Lucky for you, I have a few ideas on how we could warm up,” he murmurs, wickedness dripping from his gravelly tone.
“No, thanks.” I shove my way out of his arms because it’s the right thing to do. Not necessarily because it’s what I want. In fact, I’ve never been more tempted to snuggle up against someone than I am now.
And that includes the man who asked me to marry him.
“Long time no see, McNichols. Where have you been hiding yourself?”
The interruption seems timely.
Colby grins at the dark-haired guy before they bump fists like only bros can.
“At the hockey arena. You should stop by and catch a game sometime.”
As they continue talking, Colby reaches into his pocket and pulls out his cell before tapping the miniature keyboard. It’s tempting to peek at the screen to see who he’s messaging, but I resist the urge.
A few more texts fly back and forth.
If there’s a twinge of jealousy, I stomp it out.
“Nah. But thanks for the offer. I enjoy watching winners. Not sure if you know what those are.”
“Is that so?”
“Yup.”
Colby shifts and his teasing tone disappears. “Hey, congrats on bringing home a national title. It’s pretty fucking amazing what you guys accomplished this season.”
The other guy jerks his head toward a table packed with people. “There’s no doubt about it—I’m gonna miss playing with them next year.”
I can’t help but look in that direction. From their size and musculature, I’m guessing they’re all athletes.
“I know exactly what you mean.” Colby clears his throat and glances at me. “Brayden, this is Britt.”
His eyes fill with speculation as his manner turns joking again. “Please tell me you’re not actually with this loser. If you’re interested in dating a real man, I’ll introduce you to one of the football players. There are still some single ones.”
Colby’s grip tightens as if he’s afraid I might try to make a run for it. “Don’t listen to a damn word this meathead has to say.”
