It isn’t a question.
The words hit me unexpectedly hard because he isn’t asking it like a man trying to reassure himself. He’s noticing it like it matters.
I swallow around the tightness in my throat. “Yeah.”
His thumbs brush my hips once, gentle. Almost reverent.
“I like you like this,” he murmurs.
I laugh softly, blinking quickly. “Me too.”
He takes my hand, and we step out of the bathroom together, composure restored … mostly.
The living room is full, warm and loud in a way that still feels surreal in Colton’s space. The city glows beyond the huge windows, Manhattan spread out like a glittering map, but inside, everything feels lived in.
Dean is posted near the bar cart with Roman, both of them holding beers, looking far too pleased with themselves.
Lincoln and Walker are on the couch with Jessie and Kylie, half watching something on the television while still managing to be fully engaged in whatever conversation is happening near the fireplace. Someone’s kid—Lincoln’s, I think—has managed to take over a section of the rug with a pile of crayons and paper, and nobody seems bothered by it.
Aubrey is perched on the arm of a chair, laughing with Eva like they’ve known each other forever. She looks warm and bright tonight, and my heart squeezes every time I catch her eye.
Kayla is near the kitchen island with a glass of wine, her laptop bag slung over one shoulder, like she came straight from writing and refused to stop being dramatic about it. The second she sees me, she lifts her brows in an exaggerated wiggle.
I glare at her. She grins wider.
Sawyer is in the middle of the room like he owns it—which, in his mind, he probably does—telling a story with his hands, making Dean laugh and Aubrey roll her eyes. When Colton and I walk in, Sawyer pauses mid-sentence.
His gaze flicks from me to Colton. Then to me again. Then he smirks.
“Oh,” he says, voice dripping with satisfaction. “There they are.”
Colton’s hand tenses around mine.
Kayla glides closer like a shark sensing blood in the water. “You guys were gone for a suspiciously long time.”
“We were talking,” I say quickly.
Sawyer’s smirk grows. “Sure you were.”
Colton looks like he might commit a felony.
I squeeze his hand as a silent warning.
Aubrey watches all of it, amused, then catches my eye with a small, secret smile, like she knows the truth without needing anyone to say it.
I take a steady breath. This is it. This is the moment.
I glance up at Colton, and he gives me a subtle nod—an unspoken agreement, telling me I can lead if I want.
It still amazes me how much he means it now when he says that.
I step forward slightly, lifting my voice enough to cut through the chatter.
“Okay,” I say. “Can we have everyone’s attention for a minute?”
The room quiets slowly, like a wave settling. Sawyer raises his brows, like he’s delighted to be part of something dramatic. Dean leans forward, already grinning. Kayla takes a sip of wine, like she’s bracing herself for entertainment.
Colton stays beside me, steady and calm, even though I can feel the tension underneath his composure.
