Page 116 of Instigator

I’m not sure what he’s getting at. “Isn’t that healthy? Like, aren’t we supposed to have our own things?”

He nods, suddenly a relationship expert. “But you aren’t filling your time with enrichment. You were stagnating.”

I frown. “I have things in my life.”

“Yeah, and how bored are you?”

He’s right. Damn it, he’s so right.

“Fuck you,” I mutter, and Colt laughs.

“This is good for you,” he repeats. “I want you to thrive. The status quo will hold you back. This will open new opportunities for you.”

“I don’t need opportunities.”

“You need to be challenged. To work for something.”

“I work hard.”

“You do. So let’s aim that effort at the right things.”

“I really don’t like you right now.” I point my fork at him. “You’re being mean to me.”

Colt smirks. “No, Ceci, I’m being honest. You should try it sometime.”

“Hey! I’m not a liar.”

“Be honest with yourself. Do some introspection, talk it out with Aidan, whatever you need. And you know I’ll always be your sounding board. Just… keep your mind open.”

With a sigh, I sit back in my seat. “I’ll try.”

“Good job.”

All that’s missing is a pat on the head. I resist the urge to throw something at him. I don’t want to get blacklisted from my favorite restaurant.

“You don’t have to be patronizing, asshole.”

He cracks up laughing. “Oh, Cec. I love you sometimes.”

My eyes narrow into pinpricks. “Just sometimes?”

Colt chortles with delight. “Okay, all the time. Happy now?”

“Yeah. I am.”

“Me too,” he says.

“How did this happen?” I marvel.

“What?”

“You. Me. We’re succeeding. We’re thriving.”

“We’re both dating jocks,” he fires back.

“That too.”

“We’ve come a long way,” he says.