Page 112 of Finding Denver

“I’m so sorry,” Esme says, and seems to really mean it.

“Don’t be, he was a prick,” Denver says.

Ronan hides his laugh behind his hand. Taf chokes on his mashed potatoes. Esme looks like she has no idea what to say, so she just nods and returns to her meal.

“Are you single?” Denver asks.

Esme pauses her fork at her mouth. “… Yes, I am.”

Denver nods and sips more wine. Everyone is watching this side of the table. No one is eating, or drinking—they’re just staring as if we’re putting on a show I have no idea the plot of.

“Colt and Esme used to date,” Alison says quickly.

Denver coughs on her wine. “Oh?”

Esme chuckles. “Like a million years ago.”

My gaze remains fixed on Denver, but I may as well not exist. She narrows her eyes at Esme like she’s said something wrong, but she’s barely said a handful of words, and most of them seem nice, so?—

“Didn’t you take Colt’s virginity, Esme?” Danielle asks.

The wine glass snaps in Denver’s hand. She blinks, glancing at the drink, the stem broken off in her grip, and blood drips down her palm and onto her jeans.

“Oh my God,” Helena says. “I’ll get the first aid kit.”

Denver looks totally bewildered as Helena takes the drink. “I’m so sorry, I didn’t realize I was so strong.”

I pick up a napkin and press it into her hand. “Are you okay?”

Her cheeks are flushed, and she nods quickly. “Yeah, I just need a second.” She gets up from the table and leaves, and I stare after her.

“She’s … nice,” Esme says.

When I turn back to the table, my friends and Lewis are watching me, all grinning like total fucking dicks.

“Go back to eating,” I snap at everyone, and follow Denver. She’s in the kitchen with Helena, running her palm under the faucet.

“Here we are.” Helena places the first aid kit on the counter. “You can take care of her, can’t you, Colt?”

Once we’re alone, Denver turns her back to me and focuses on her hand.

It’s hard not to think about last night. How I’d been on the couch, trying to sleep, and heard her making a drink. I told myself to stay where I was, but curiosity got the better of me, and then my body took control when I saw her standing at the sink, just like this. My hockey jersey past her knees, her hair covering my name on the back, the water running as she stared out of the kitchen window. I could see her reflection, her eyes closed, seemingly deep in thought.

I said her name, but she mustn’t have heard me, so I got closer. It was instinct that had my arms wrapping around her waist. Something stronger than that made me go further. I’m fighting that instinct again right now.

“Hell of a grip,” I say.

She forces a smile. “Apparently.”

It can’t be jealousy that keeps her from meeting my gaze. I know she cares about me, but I also heard her say it was only one night. Am I jealous? Yes. I’d murder NoahMerrick, Ranger, anyone who has ever touched her if given the chance. But that’s because to me, this could be more. Denver made it clear last night that it was a one-time thing, and that isn’t fine, but I’ll accept it. I have to.

She says nothing as I smooth a Band-Aid over her palm.

“Are you okay?”

Denver looks up at me. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

We return to the dining room, and she seems a little more like herself. She focuses on talking to Finn and Helena, laughing at stories and telling some of her own. Wesson sits between her and Finn, his head on Denver’s lap, and she gives him disapproving looks when he tries to beg for food from anyone else.