Chapter 39
Sutton sat cross-legged on the living-room rug, holding Lynlee’s script while her daughter bounced like her bloodstream was sixty percent gummy bears.
“Try that line again,” Sutton coached. “Posey the Pony says—”
Lynlee flung her arms wide. “Friendship is magic, neighhhhhh!”
Sutton tried not to laugh. “Okay, that was a passionate neigh. Maybe just dial it from bull to friendly mare.”
Lynlee planted her fists on her hips. “I’m method acting. I need creative freedom.”
“Posey is going to start a coup next,” Sutton muttered, right as someone knocked at the front door.
“Stay here,” Sutton said, rising. “Don’t overthrow any governments while I’m gone.”
She opened the door and all logic abandoned her.
Colter stood on her porch wearing a suit and holding wildflowers. He was dressed in a dark, tailored suit with the sleeves rolled and the collar open. His face was clean shaven and he gave off an ‘I could negotiate a corporate merger or ruin your lingerie,’ vibe.
Her pulse thudded.
“Why,” she asked slowly, “are you dressed like the CEO of a bourbon empire?”
He lifted the flowers. “Because I’m here to take you on a date.”
Sutton didn’t take them right away. “Why?”
His gaze was locked and loaded, and aimed directly at hers. “Because I’d like to plead my case for why you and I should explore this.”
She forced a frown even though her stomach was doing all kinds of flips. “I can’t just go out to dinner. I have Lynlee.”
Colter didn’t miss a beat. “Good thing I brought backup.”
He turned and gestured to his truck. The door opened, and out stepped Boone—already wearing a What-Did-My-Brother-Do-Now grimace. Vivi slid out next, smiling nervously and clutching a bag of snacks like bribery.
“Hi!” Vivi chirped. “Apparently we’re babysitting.”
“Apparently we’re training to be parents,” Boone muttered—stoic as ever, even though his smile couldn’t decide if it was terrified or thrilled.
Colter looked smug. “Practice makes perfect.”
“This is insane,” Sutton said.
“Probably,” he agreed. “But insanity is a Callahan family tradition.”
Sutton tried not to stare at the way his coat clung to his shoulders. “You wore a suit for this?”
“I wanted to make an impression.”
“You could’ve worn jeans. I mean, you can make an impression in flannel.”
His eyes warmed. “Thought maybe tonight needed something more convincing. And I want you to know that I didn’t dress up to seduce you. I did it so you’d know I’m here with intention.”
“That’s a lot of fabric for intention,” Sutton said. “So, this is strategy?”
“Absolutely,” he said without shame. “You’re calling it a one-night stand. I’m here to negotiate terms.”
“You can’t negotiate my life.”
“I’m not.” His voice dropped, velvet-rough. “I’m asking for a dinner you want but are too scared to admit.”
“Don’t psychoanalyze me on my porch.”
“Too late,” he teased. “I’m good at reading body language and yours keeps saying yes.”
“That is selective interpretation.”
“That is memory,” he countered, low enough that heat rolled through her. “Of exactly how you sounded when I—”
“Stop.” She pointed the bouquet at him now because she needed distance. “There is a four-year-old inside my house.”
“Great,” he said. “She’ll be in excellent hands.”
Lynlee poked her head around Sutton’s hip. “Colter. Miss Vivi! Mr. Boone!” She bounced with every name. “Are we having a playdate?”
She looked up at Sutton with so much hope in her eyes there was no way Sutton could say no. Plus, Colter was right, they needed to talk about the other night and what was to come next.
“Playdate it is,” she said. “But no sugar after six. No renegotiating bedtime. And you have to finish practicing your lines.”
“Deal.” Lynlee pushed past her mom and opened the front door all the way. “Mr. Boone. I wants to show you my coloring book from school.”
Sutton looked him over again—flowers, suit, confidence and so much effort her heart rolled over and showed its soft underbelly. The universe had absolutely no respect for her self-control.
“Do you have a reservation?” she challenged.
“I have two,” he said. “One at a restaurant, and the other for the possibility you’ll bail and we instead have takeout on the couch.”
“That is disturbingly prepared.”
“I’m a man with priorities.”
“And what are those?” she asked, too aware of her pulse.
“You,” he said simply. “And earning another night with you.”
Her lady parts went warm. “You’re very sure of yourself.”
“Nope.” He gave a slow, devastating grin. “I’m just sure of us.”
Sutton exhaled—long, shaky, fatal. “Fine. One dinner.”
Colter’s grin spread like someone uncorked sunlight. “I’ll take it.”
Boone grinned like a Cheshire cat as Lynlee grabbed his hand and dragged him toward the kitchen. “Yay! Parent practice!”
Colter offered Sutton his arm—in a gentle, old-fashioned, stupidly charming way.
She hesitated, and he lifted a brow in challenge.
“Scared?” he asked softly.
Sutton slid her hand into his elbow. “Of dinner? No.”
He dipped his mouth to her ear. “Of wanting more?”
Her throat closed so tightly she couldn’t answer.
Colter smiled like he already knew. And Sutton—against every rational instinct—felt hope loosen something inside her chest. Maybe plans were overrated. Maybe second chances wore suits.
“Give me ten minutes to change.”