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“Yes! No wonder Jess and Linc work together so well. Neither of them make a fuss about anything.”

Remi looked down at the plush rug. If friendship was all about likenesses, where did that leave her and Colt? They were as different as night and day when it came to certain things, but they were determined enough not to let anything get in the way of their friendship.

“Hey,” Colt whispered.

Remi looked up and found him staring at her.

Great. He wanted to have a staring contest, and she didn’t have the excuse of a phone call this time. The last thing she wanted was to have her soul assessed, but her competitive nature wanted to be the winner.

Thank goodness Colt was lousy at staring contests. His intense stare wouldn’t last long.

Ten seconds later, Colt’s stare wandered slightly, causing him to blink.

Remi took a deep breath and stood. “Winner, winner.”

Staring contests with Colt left her shaken and stirred, mostly because his gaze always wandered to her mouth.

Nope, there would be no introspective assessment about what that might mean.

But Remi never knew how to handle her body’s instinctive response. Her stomach flipped, and the air was too thick to breathe. Her heart pounded, and a rush of heat crept up her neck.

Which always left her fleeing the scene.

“You need a refill?” She grabbed his empty water glass and turned toward the kitchen.

Colt reached out and wrapped his hand around her arm. Gently. Colt was a lot bigger than her, but he never exerted any unnecessary strength.

When he didn’t let go, she sank back down to the couch.

“Why don’t you want a family?” Colt asked. His words were so soft, and the silent plea in his question made sure she couldn’t deny him.

But she couldn’t tell him. Not the truth. If he or anyone else knew, they wouldn’t look at her the same way ever again. They wouldn’t be able to see past her mistakes. They couldn’t be erased, and once they were out of the bag, there was no stuffing them back into the darkness.

Remi cleared her throat. “I just don’t think I would be a good mom.”

Colt burst into laughter. Howling, gut-splitting laughter.

Great, the first time he laughed like his usual self tonight, and it was at her expense.

“What’s so funny?” She propped her hands on her hips and tried to control her furrowing brow.

Colt shook his head, and the smile on his face didn’t waver. “You’d make an amazing mom. And wife.”

And there was the real kicker. She wouldn’t make an amazing wife because she was not the woman Colt thought she was.

Mistakes, mistakes, mistakes. She had them in spades. Well, in clubs, diamonds, and hearts, too. In both black and red. Yep, she was a full deck of nasty mistakes.

Remi shook her head. “Nope. I don’t think I would. There’s a difference in playing with kids all day and being a mom. Besides, my therapist and I agree that I’m not marriage material.”

Colt’s eyes widened. “Your what?”

The garage door opened, and Ridge threw his keys on the counter. “Honey, I’m home!”

Saved by the roommate. Remi jumped to her feet. “Hey, you want some pizza?”

Ridge was already helping himself. “Don’t you like regular pizza? Pineapple on one and spinach on the other.”

“Take it or leave it.”