Page 114 of Finding Denver

Denver looks up at me. “Games night and hot chocolate? Aren’t we supposed to be scary?”

“Not behind closed doors,” I whisper, winking at her.

Danielle seizes Denver’s hand. “We have to get to the kitchen before Taf eats the marshmallows.”

On cue, Taf rolls over the back of the couch and darts for the kitchen, and Danielle tugs Denver away from me in a run.

“You were cheating,” Ronan says.

“Nope,” I grin, throwing popcorn into my mouth. “Just better than all of you.”

Ronan gives me the finger before going into the kitchen, leaving me alone with Alistair.

“So,” he says, chewing his popcorn slowly. “You said you weren’t going to get involved with Denver.”

I huff a laugh. “I’m not.” He raises his brows. “It was one night, that’s all.”

He nods and sits down. “I think that’s for the best.”

This is odd. Alistair never comments on my personal life, not that I’ve had much of one recently. “Since when do you care who I date?”

“I don’t.” He takes a few more mouthfuls, avoiding my eye. “I just don’t want you to get hurt. Getting involved with a woman who is leaving is guaranteed pain. Just looking out for you,” he adds, and pats my back before leaving the room.

He isn’t wrong, but it isn’t what I want to hear, either. An encouraging lie is far fucking preferred than that painful truth.

Chapter 30

Denver

The noise of the evening is muted as I close the bathroom door. Tonight has been a rollercoaster. One I didn’t ask to get on, and one I don’t even fully understand. I have no reason to dislike Esme, but she was so fucking …Esme. Bouncy curls, stable job, a ridiculous dating history and lipstick I wish I’d asked the name of so I could buy it for myself.

I fix my hair in the mirror. “I’m Esme,” I mimic. “I’m pretty and can do math.”

I take a minute to work through my childish behavior, fiddling with the Band-Aid on my palm before finally opening the door. I almost jump out of my skin when Colt is on the other side.

“Were you talking to yourself?”

I scowl at him. “I was peeing, you creep. Move.” Colt steps closer, and pure stubbornness keeps me in place. “I meant moveaway.”

“You didn’t specify.” His eyes dance with amusement, and I want to poke him in them. “Does it bother you when I’m this close? It didn’t last night.”

Swallowing suddenly becomes a priority and an impossibility, but somehow, I say, “Yes. Why don’t you go bug someone else? I bet Esme is available.”

His smile could turn a woman to murder.

“Are you … jealous?” I release a mouthful of air as a response, because I have nothing else to say. “Is that a yes?”

“Nope. Have sex with her. I bet she’s good at that. Oh wait, you already know what she’s like in bed.” I fold my arms, my shoulders straight. “I’m actually glad we’re talking about sex, because I’ve been thinking about Ronan.”

His smile disappears and a muscle feathers under his jaw. “You want to sleep with Ronan?”

“No.” I step close. “I want to havesexwith Ronan.”

I’ve never seen his eyes so dark. “Fine.”

“Fine.”

“Fine. You have sex with Ronan. I’ll go see what Esme is up to.”