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Remington Taylor bounded up beside him, and her long ponytail swung from side to side. The artificial lights around the arena lit up her face and fiery-red hair like a flame in the night. That was a good analogy for her role in his life–a light in the darkness.

She was his best friend. Well, she’d decided she was his best friend. He’d decided a long time ago that she was his soul mate, but she hadn’t gotten the same memo.

Why couldn't the love score be even, just this once?

She looked up at him with that bright smile that kicked him in the chest like a bucking bronc, and his mouth watered. He had no control whenever Remi came around.

“You sure?” Colt asked.

She grinned and narrowed her eyes at him. “I wouldn’t have said I would if I wasn’t sure.”

Truth. Remi was the quickest decision-maker he’d ever met, but once she made up her mind, she stuck to her guns. Every time.

Colt bumped Remi with his right shoulder and turned to Ridge. “Looks like I found a ride.”

Ridge tipped his hat. “See you at the house.”

Remi patted Colt’s arm. “How’s the shoulder?”

“Beat up, but I think I’ll survive just one more day.”

Remi rolled her eyes and jerked her head toward the path leading back to the hub of the ranch. “Come on. I parked at the stables.”

Colt fell into step beside her. “I’m injured. I expected curbside service.”

“Did you hit your head when you got bucked?” Remi asked. “You’ve got two legs.”

Colt smiled. “I do. They’re good-lookin’ legs too. I tried to get Jameson to add shorts to the dress code, but–”

“Have you seen your legs? They’re so pale, the moonlight reflecting on your skin might blind someone.”

“That’s offensive. You’d have more friends if you were nicer,” Colt said. Remi was one of the nicest people he’d ever met, but he knew how to look past her sarcasm and playful wit.

“Sorry. I’ve hit my friend quota. Submissions are closed.” Remi bounced a little with each step as the path sloped down toward the stables. The fallen leaves crunched beneath their boots as they walked. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

It wasn’t like Remi to worry about anything, especially not Colt. “Yeah,” he drawled. “Areyouokay?”

“Of course. I didn’t have my shoulder dislocated tonight.” She paused for a second, and her whole body shivered. “Well, I think I got a little queasy when they did that thing to put your shoulder back in.”

Colt wrapped his good arm around her and pulled her closer to his side. “It’s a good thing you didn’t get your calling mixed up. You’d have been a terrible nurse passing out in front of the patients.”

Remi shoved his arm off her shoulders. “I didn’t say I almost passed out. I said… Never mind.”

Colt stopped beside the driver’s side of Remi’s SUV. “You’re worried about me.”

“I am not. You’re a big boy, and you can take care of yourself.”

Colt shifted to the side. “You care. You actually have a heart.”

Remi pointed the business end of her key at his face. “Colton Walker, move your skinny butt before I stab you.”

“Do you use that language around the kids?” Colt asked.

Remi gasped. She was the kids’ activities coordinator, and she took her job way too seriously for someone who chased tiny humans all day. “I am a good role model!”

Shaking his head slowly, he tsked. “The HR department would love to hear about your threats. I think that rusty key would be considered a dangerous weapon.”

“We don’t even have an HR department. And you’ve had your tetanus shot. I was with you when you got it last spring.”