She shrugged. “I don’t think so. When I called to let her know your dad passed, I informed her of the missing documents. I figured she ought to know just in case. She did ask me if the funeral would be anytime this week. I think she just wanted to see you and pay her respects.”
“She seemed sad about Dad.”
“She also seems nice,” Nan said.
“I’m not moving.”
Nan circled her fingers around my wrist and gently lowered my hand from my mouth to my lap. “You won’t have any nails left.”
Maybe once the situation was resolved, I could get my nails done. Georgia would be more than happy to be my manicurist.
“One other thing,” Nan said. “When we speak with Mr. Wilson, should we broach the subject of your birth mother to see if he’s located her yet? That is, if you want to reach out to her.”
I tensed. “Are you trying to get rid of me?” I was half teasing.
For the second time in a matter of thirty minutes, her skin turned ashen. “God, no. But it’s still the elephant in the room, so to speak. I’m just saying it might be a good time to ask him while we have his attention.”
“Maybe it’s time I deal with it.” That way, I could move on.
35
Later that day, I propped myself up with my back against my headboard, holding Dad’s computer in my lap. Nan had advised me that if I was serious about knowing more about my birth mom, I should send Mr. Wilson an email. I’d had the afternoon to think, and I’d decided to take the plunge. I knew Dad would have wanted me to meet her—I’d gotten that feeling after he’d dropped the news in my lap. More importantly, I had questions for her, and I didn’t want to go through life with any regrets.
The doorbell rang.
I wasn’t expecting anyone. Colton had texted me earlier to let me know he would be at the gym with Grady and would check in later. I hadn’t told him yet how things had gone with my aunt, figuring it would be better in person, not that I really had any news. Being in limbo wasn’t a joyride, though, and I hated to play the waiting game.
Dad’s computer screen had just come to life when I heard Colton’s husky voice. My stomach somersaulted, and I smiled for the first time in hours.
In less than a minute, he graced my doorway in his gym shorts and a T-shirt. My gaze lingered a bit on his muscled calves. I loved everything about Colton inside and out, but I was learning I had a thing for shapely legs.
He smirked. “See something you like?”
I held my bottom lip hostage. “Hell yeah.” I squirmed where I sat.
“Can I come in?” he asked sweetly.
I patted the spot next to me on the bed.
He kicked off his Nikes before planting a wet one on my lips. “Mmm. I’ve been thinking of tasting you all day.”
Stella jumped on the bed, trying to steal Colton’s attention.
I giggled as he got comfortable beside me. Stella wormed her way in and curled up against him. “A Maine Coon, right?”
“Yeah. Stella, and she’s spoiled rotten.” I gave Stella the evil eye for interrupting us.
“How did it go with your aunt?” he asked.
“The lawyer never received the updated trust documents that my dad signed. Apparently they got lost in the mail. And since my aunt is named as my guardian in the trust, I’m not sure what happens from here if he doesn’t get the documents.”
“You mean you could be moving?” His demeanor changed in an instant, the happiness in his eyes snuffed out.
I inhaled then released the nervous air in my lungs. “No idea.”
He stopped stroking Stella’s coat, who then jumped onto his lap and pushed her head into his hand.
I rolled my eyes at my demanding cat.
Colton chuckled as he obeyed Stella, then got quiet as he loved on her, seemingly deep in thought.
A sudden awkwardness charged the air.
“I’m not leaving, Colton.” Well, I would do my damnedest not to.
He gave me one of his deadpan expressions, which told me he wasn’t thrilled. I’d learned his blank faces meant he was either angry, brooding, or thinking.
I reached over and managed to pry his hand away from Stella. “I swear, I’m not moving.” If the tables had been turned, I would have freaked out. “I’m graduating here. If I have to run away, I will.” Maybe I was trying to convince myself.
He grinned at my last statement.
“Talk to me,” I pleaded.
He drove a hand through his hair, hard. “I can’t lose you. I would… I don’t know. I just can’t lose you. You’re the only reason I’m here.”
I thought to counsel him like Nan had me, not to get ahead of things, but that last statement threw me, and my heart skipped a beat. “Explain that last part.” I hoped he was referring to leaving town to stay with his friend. Yet I couldn’t help but remember him telling Grady that if it hadn’t been for me that night he stormed out of his house, he would’ve crashed into a tree.
Colton locked his dreamy brown eyes on mine. “Many times I have wanted to…” He looked away.
I touched his face. “Talk to me.” My pulse tried to punch its way out of my skin. “You don’t mean take your own life?”
“I’m not going to lie. I thought the only way out of the hell I’d been in for so long after Josh’s death was to join him. But after I had you in my arms on your porch that night, and you told me I was a good person, something just clicked. I can’t explain it except you gave me hope.”
A ball of fur lodged in my throat. “I love you.” I pecked him on the cheek.
But he was having none of that. He set Stella on the
