“There usually aren’t many on the market in the summer, anyway.” His words were said so gently, but the way his hand trembled under mine gave away how affected he was, giving me the courage to finally say what was on my mind.
“I don’t want to move out.”
After a moment of silence, I raised my head, locking eyes with Colton’s. He stared at me, blinking rapidly as he—I imagined—tried to run through all the scenarios that sentence could take us. I couldn’t help the affection that bloomed in my chest as I waited for him.
“Okay.” Colton said a few seconds later. That was it?
“Okay?” I asked, my face mirroring his confusion from minutes before.
He nodded then shrugged a bit. “I don’t want you to move out either. I thought we had come to that conclusion already.”
I couldn’t help chuckling at his matter-of-fact tone. “No, we agreed I shouldn’t move into a smaller house. There was no conversation about you letting me live here indefinitely.”
Colton’s face morphed, the look he gave me feeling weighted. It had all my laughter dying as my mouth went dry.
“You could, you know… Live here indefinitely. If that’s what you wanted.” His eyes locked onto mine, so much intention behind them it took my breath away.
My heart slammed against my sternum as I tried to steady my breathing. I licked my lips. “I don’t want to just be your roommate anymore.”
“Me either.”
“Then what are we doing, Colton? What are we?”
For a moment, silence hung between us and all I could hear was the sound of my own erratic heart rate and the hissing of the rushing water. Colton’s eyes danced back and forth before his signature lazy grin spread slowly across his lips.
“How does boyfriends sound?”
Something swelled in my chest, laughter bursting from me before I surged forward to press a hard kiss against Colton’s lips. He chuckled before pulling back far too quickly.
“Is that a yes?” He asked teasingly.
“Of course it’s a yes!” I laughed again, a sudden lightness taking over as I watched his face split into a stunning smile. It hit me then.
I was in love with Colton. My boyfriend.
CHAPTER 20
Colton
Ever since thefirst moment my lips met Derek’s, I felt like I was living in one long running dream. But I would’ve never believed, even in my wildest fantasies, that we’d be here now. Derek Hammond was my boyfriend, and fuck did that feel good to say. The past two weeks since we made things official had been just like some cheesy rom-com. Coffee in the mornings with him was somehow tastier when I could say, ‘Please pass the creamer, boyfriend’. The sunlight on our runs was dazzling and beautiful instead of blinding. And don’t even get me started on being able to wake up in the same bed asmy boyfriend.
Shit, I’d never get tired of calling him that.
He looked so gorgeous this morning, his naked chest on display for me, hair mussed on the pillow as he’d stretched while blinking himself awake. I couldn’t help myself and had to dive in for a taste of his lips—morning breath be damned. But, now as we sat together eating breakfast, I couldn’t stop my leg from bouncing nervously under the table.
“When are you leaving?” I asked behind my sip of coffee, trying to feign some semblance of calmness.
Derek glanced at his phone before responding, “After Ishower and pack. It’s only about two and a half hours away but I want to make sure I make the most of the time I’m with Lucy.”
I nodded and took another sip from my mug. Derek sent me a soft smile, leaning over to grab my hand.
“I am not worried at all.” His voice was deep and soothing.
“I know you aren’t.” I said, pursing my lips. “I’m doing all the worrying for you.”
Derek let out a low laugh, giving me a firm squeeze before letting go and resuming his meal.
“Lucy is the only one whose opinion matters to me and I have no doubt she’ll have any issues. Well—” He paused to think. “She may have an issue with the fact I kept this from her, but it won’t be because I’m dating a man.”
