Page 105 of The One Who Never Left: Colter

Sutton nodded. “Yeah, because love isn’t about a blueprint, it’s about showing up.”

“Speaking of showing up,” Jo said. “When are we staging a baby announcement intervention?”

Vivi laughed, watery but real. “Soon.”

Sutton squeezed both their hands, making a circle of friendship and love.

Life didn’t follow plans, but sometimes it led exactly where it needed to.

CHAPTER 39

Sutton sat cross-legged on the living-room rug, holding Lynlee’s script while her daughter bounced like her bloodstream was sixty percent gummy bears.

“Try that line again,” Sutton coached. “Posey the Pony says⁠—”

Lynlee flung her arms wide. “Friendship is magic, neighhhhhh!”

Sutton tried not to laugh. “Okay, that was a passionate neigh. Maybe just dial it from bull to friendly mare.”

Lynlee planted her fists on her hips. “I’m method acting. I need creative freedom.”

“Posey is going to start a coup next,” Sutton muttered, right as someone knocked at the front door.

“Stay here,” Sutton said, rising. “Don’t overthrow any governments while I’m gone.”

She opened the door and all logic abandoned her.

Colter stood on her porch wearing a suit and holding wildflowers. He was dressed in a dark, tailored suit with the sleeves rolled and the collar open. His face was clean shaven and he gave off an ‘I could negotiate a corporate merger or ruin your lingerie,’ vibe.

Her pulse thudded.

“Why,” she asked slowly, “are you dressed like the CEO of a bourbon empire?”

He lifted the flowers. “Because I’m here to take you on a date.”

Sutton didn’t take them right away. “Why?”

His gaze was locked and loaded, and aimed directly at hers. “Because I’d like to plead my case for why you and I should explore this.”

She forced a frown even though her stomach was doing all kinds of flips. “I can’t just go out to dinner. I have Lynlee.”

Colter didn’t miss a beat. “Good thing I brought backup.”

He turned and gestured to his truck. The door opened, and out stepped Boone—already wearing a What-Did-My-Brother-Do-Now grimace. Vivi slid out next, smiling nervously and clutching a bag of snacks like bribery.

“Hi!” Vivi chirped. “Apparently we’re babysitting.”

“Apparently we’re training to be parents,” Boone muttered—stoic as ever, even though his smile couldn’t decide if it was terrified or thrilled.

Colter looked smug. “Practice makes perfect.”

“This is insane,” Sutton said.

“Probably,” he agreed. “But insanity is a Callahan family tradition.”

Sutton tried not to stare at the way his coat clung to his shoulders. “You wore a suit for this?”

“I wanted to make an impression.”