Page 18 of It's Always Been You

Time stands still for a mere second.

One captivating moment.

Thud.

Thud.

Thud.

Her gray eyes soften in the slightest bit, and they silently convey all the unspoken words between us. Gratitude, misery, and…maybe I am stupidly delusional.

But I see tenderness there in her gaze. For me.

“Thank you,” she murmurs softly, and I hear a hint of fondness in her voice. She lowers herself on the couch, pressing her soft and tiny body up against me. My arm instinctively wraps around her hips, because I will take every damn opportunity to touch her. To hold her.

Riley drags the blanket over both of us, positioning herself around me until she’s almost halfway on my lap. Her arm curls around my waist. She releases a soft sigh and I feel her body relaxing against mine.

Her lips brush against the pulse in my throat. “Thanking you will never be enough, Colton. I don’t know how to show you just how grateful I am.”

I run my fingers through the silky strands of her blonde hair. “Consider it another debt I’ll be collecting.”

I feel her smile against my skin. “You’re devious, Colton Bennett.”

My chest expands with warmth at the slightest hint of humor in her voice. “Only for you.”

She’s silent for a moment and I’m starting to think she has fallen asleep when her arm tightens around me. “I’m sorry…for that day. For hurting you.”

“It’s already forgotten.” I press my lips against her temple. “Go to sleep, Sunshine.”

I know she’s talking about the day she went to meet Grayson.

I was so furious at her that day, but I can’t bring myself to be angry anymore. Because it doesn’t matter anymore.

Maybe she chose Grayson that day.

I don’t know.

I don’t fucking care.

Riley Johnson is mine.

She’s hurting right now, miserable and distressed. But when Riley is feeling more like herself and no longer swallowed by guilt, she’ll realize she’s meant to be with me.

Maybe I’m an asshole for thinking of how to win her over while she’s grieving for her ex-boyfriend, who is in the same room as us. In a coma.

But I can’t let her go. I’ve never made a commitment to a relationship before, but now that I have — I am all in.

I hold my girl as Grayson lies unconscious on the hospital bed.

I’ll collect my debt when it’s time.

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