Mia rushes off the elevator, and my feet follow automatically while my mind is processing. “I…I live in a third-floor walkup in Columbus. I thought you might just help me with the deposit on a place out here. I don’t—.“
“Evie,” Colt says, pressing his hand gently on my back, “come inside.”
He walks me to the door, unlocking and swinging the door open, then gently nudges me inside. I have to stop and remember to breathe as my eyes bounce around the bright room. Mia runs inside, diving onto the gray overstuffed sofa.
I want to join her. It looks so inviting with the teal throw blankets tossed on it. There’s a wall-mounted TV and a fireplace in the living room, as well as a plush, brightly patterned rug. I can imagine Mia lounging on that rug, playing with her dolls. She would be in heaven. The entire right wall is floor-to-ceiling windows, and there’s even a small patio, the perfect size for a bistro table and two chairs.
Turning, I see Mia sprawled on the couch, her feet on the back, her head dangling down. I want to tell her to get her feet off the couch, not because I don’t want her to be comfortable, but because this isn’t our home and we should respect other people’s stuff.
But looking at the smiles on everyone’s faces, it’s clear they don’t care, not even a little bit. So, I breathe and let her be a kid, while I move into the kitchen instead. I run my hand over the smooth stone of the island, dreaming about the meals I could make here, admiring the light blue mixer on the counter.
There’s even a six-seat dining table in the space. It’s far more open than my old townhouse, and way newer. And compared to my current apartment? That place looks like this one’s yard sale cousin. Holly moves to the short hallway, and I follow, gasping as she reveals a beautiful bedroom, complete with light blue bedding, side tables, and lamps.
“Oh Colton,” she breathes, looking back at him. Her eyes are wide, her smile shaky. “I had no idea you had done so much.”
I look at him, seeing the flush creeping up his neck. “What do you mean?” I ask Holly.
Smiling, she explains. “The guys own all the units on this floor. They’re all furnished, but mostly with generic, manly furniture. The only thing I recognize in this whole place is the dining table and TV. There was only a basic pot set and a four-piece place setting in that kitchen. This room, well, there definitely wasn’t a wrought iron bed in here.” Turning, she points to the other door off the hallway. “And this…this was an empty room.”
My eyes flood when I see the gold, hand-painted, wood sign on the door,Mia.Moving to the door, I trace my fingers over the letters, noticing a fine dusting of glitter clinging to my fingertips. Turning the handle, I lock eyes with Colt. “You did this?”
He swallows heavily. “I wanted you both to have somewhere nice to live. A home.” He’s nervous, eyes darting from my hand on the doorknob back to my eyes. Why he cares so much, I still don’t understand. I don’t want to open this door, because I think whatever’s inside this room might change everything. But they’re all watching me, waiting for my reaction. I paste a tight smile on my face.
“Bring Mia. Show her what you did for her.”
He smiles, then moves to the couch, grabbing her ankles and pulling her up into his arms. She’s squealing with laughter, her giggles joining his chuckles. He seems so happy to be with her, looking at her like she’s the most interesting person he’s ever talked to. She doesn’t normally take to strangers, especially men. So why are they so comfortable together after only a few hours? She lights up under his attention.
Who wouldn’t, though?
When they’re standing next to me, Mia upright in his arms, I push open the door, letting him walk her in first. I can’t see past the wall of muscle, but I can clearly hear Mia’s squeal and see her flailing to get down.
Nudging him aside, my breath catches in my throat when I see what he did. The room, lit up in the glow of the setting sun, is a fairytale princess dream. The walls are painted light pink, and yep, they glitter. The centerpiece of the room is a white princess bed with a pink canopy netting draped from all four corners. Soft colorful rugs are scattered over the hardwood floors, giving her lots of soft spots to play. In the corner of the room is a play area filled with books, stuffed animals, dolls, race cars, and train tracks, all in a happy jumble.
Mia’s running from thing to thing. “Is mine?” she asks, and Colt laughs and says yes. They do it over and over, moving from the bed to every single toy. Every time she asks, her voice is amazed, and every time he answers, his voice is oh so kind and patient.
More than patient. Excited to give her these things.
I’m alternating between being thrilled for her and feeling trapped. How am I supposed to pull her away from this place and take her back to our shitty apartment?
I don’t want to go back, but I still don’t have a job here, or any idea if I’ll even be able to find one, despite what Holly and the guys think. The fact is, Brent’s shady cop friends had everyone convinced I’m a thief and an addict. You can’t just come back from that. It’s going to follow me, I know it.
Sensing my turmoil and exhaustion, Holly and Micah say a quick goodnight, extracting a promise to have dinner with them the next night. Then they’re gone, and I’m left with my daughter, and a two-hundred-and-eighty-pound man wearing a tiara.
Stepping away, I peek in the other bedroom again, spotting my duffel, then look into the hallway bath, unsurprised to find the perfect family bathroom. I start the water, then go back to Mia. I need a bit of normalcy, a bit of routine, and bath time is the perfect way to calm down my over-excited little girl.
Heading over to the play area, I crouch next to the tea party the two of them are having. Colt’s eyes are slightly baffled, but he seems to just roll with anything Mia asks him to do, so he’s holding his pinky out, drinking imaginary tea.
“Hey, baby girl. Guess what time it is?” She’s smart. She heard the water running and knows our routine.
“No bath mama. I playing with Horsey.”
Oh man, that horsey thing is sticking. Colt isn’t correcting her anymore, and I’m feeling just ornery enough to let it continue.
“I know, baby, you’re having so much fun. But it’s time to settle down. We’ll have a nice bath, then we can read a story, and then…” I say, widening my eyes. Her mulish expression shifts as she takes in my excitement, her eyes following my pointing finger to the princess bed.
“I sleep in princess bed, mama? YES!” She jumps up, spinning in circles, pure joy leaking from her pores. Colt watches her, and I watch him. His eyes are glowing, his entire face lit up with joy, and my heart sinks a bit. This man looks at my daughter the way I wish…someone would look at me. Like she’s everything.
Suddenly, I feel ancient. Pushing up, I steer my now wobbly daughter to the bathroom, adding some bubbles, quickly stripping her, and popping her into the warm water to play.
