Page 128 of Freeing Denver

“I know.” He kisses me. “Dance with me anyway.”

So, even though I don’t want to, we dance.

My heart is tattered, my body tired, but I let him twirl me. The brisk air lifts my hair as I spin, and he pulls me close. It’s nothing like our first dance, filled with laughter and hope and new love.

But I lose myself in it anyway, and when I step on his feet, he grins.

Before long, quiet laughter escapes my lips.

And I forget.

Just for a little while.

The length of a song, really.

On a balcony in the moonlight, with so much loss behind us, we dance, and my world stops hurting for a little while.

Chapter 39

Denver

“Please tell me you have some food back there,” I whisper desperately, half clinging to the hotel bar. As if on cue, my stomach growls, and the bartender shakes her head sympathetically.

“The hors d'oeuvres are out soon, if that helps?” she says, continuing to dry the glass in her hand.

It doesn’t help. Between hair, makeup, and the short ceremony, I’ve eaten a single bagel, which seems unfair given that I’m the damn bride. So, while everyone dances in the ballroom next door, I’ve escaped to locate something edible.

“Please,” I whimper. “There must be something.”

“I’ve got food.”

My desperation becomes a poorly hidden smile as an arm slides around my waist and Colt kisses my shoulder.

“Really?” I ask, and he nods into my neck before holding a bag of M&Ms in front of me. I gasp. “How do I know they’re not poisoned?”

He laughs. “It’s a sealed bag of M&Ms.” He kisses my cheek. “And life is about taking risks.”

I turn in his arms and snatch the bag, tearing it open. I scoop a handful into my mouth and his. “If you still carry these around to lure in beautiful women, then I won’t be happy. You’re mine now, remember?”

He swallows the chocolate. “I’ve been yours for a long time, Del. I carry them around for you. I’ve had chocolate in my pocket since the day I met you.”

I grin. “Just in case?”

“Just in case.” He kisses me, and the chocolate is forgotten. He tastes sweet enough, and I wrap my arms around his neck as he pulls me close.

I’ve been home for almost three weeks, and this is our last night in New York. Our escape was delayed due to some families acting out after the warehouse meeting, and Colt attempted to smooth things over. Sometimes he was successful, sometimes he wasn’t. Despite the pushback, it was nice being able to spend some last-minute time with Helena and Antonia before we take Holly to England with us.

Our flight is now tomorrow, and our lives officially start the moment I step foot on that jet.

Am I terrified? Yes. Have I lost sleep over what’s happened and what’s to come? The dark circles under my eyes answer that question, even if Sandy did cover them well with concealer.

I’d naively thought that coming home meant I was picking up where we left off, but there are nights I’ll scream myself awake and refuse to let Colt near me. Elevators are a no-go, which is why despite the hotel offering us the honeymoon suite alongside the ballroom we booked, we opted for a room on the second floor instead. I’m more broken than I want to admit, and leaving won’t change that, but there’s something tempting about this fresh start. We can continue our family where no one knows us. Where we’re not Ghost or Deluxe.

We’re just the Harlands.

The kiss ends and I sigh softly. “Can’t we just kick everyone out and have sex?”

“Right here?”