Page 122 of Instigator

His bright blue eyes soften. “I wanted tonight to be special.”

“It still will be. Now go take care of your teammate. I’ll wait for you.”

I’ll always wait for you.

He kisses me, quick and hard, before he follows Jenkins toward the elevator bank. I take a few moments to lock up the apartment and hail a rideshare before I follow in their footsteps, but they’re already long gone.

Aidan hasn’t said much about whatever’s going on with Sinclair, only that he’s worried, and I don’t blame him. Something isn’t right.

My car arrives, and I stare out the window. The city streaks by, a never-ending cacophony of bright lights amid a poetic, ethereal snowfall.

If I’m honest, I don’t want to show up to this gala alone. Nor do I want Heidi to know I’m here by myself.

But Aidan has a responsibility to his team and his players. I can hardly begrudge him doing his job. Not when he does it so well. Not when I’m so obsessive about mine.

I still haven’t decided what I want to do. Do I stay with the helmet project? Do I move on? What the hell do I do?

The car pulls up to the swanky hotel where the gala is being held. I ascend the stairs, holding my dress in one hand so I don’t trip on the steep, snowy steps. I’m on the last one when I slip, and I windmill my arms, trying to find purchase.

An outstretched hand appears in the periphery of my vision.

“Need some help?” Colt asks, a grin on his face.

“You’re a menace,” I snap back, accepting his hand.

Camera lights flash as his gloved palm slides against mine.

“You know they’re going to link us together now,” I warn.

“They’ve been doing that for twenty years.” He shrugs. “It was never true then, and it’s certainly not true now. You and I know the truth.”

“Yeah, but now there are other people involved.”

He hums as we pass through the hotel doors into the lobby. We’re greeted by a sharp blast of warm air. “Do you want me to give you space?”

“Fuck no. It’s the first time I’ve had to think about this. First time I’ve had to consider someone else’s thoughts and feelings.”

“It’s not fun, is it?” he teases.

“It’s the fucking worst,” I complain. “I even care what he thinks, and I’m finding myself going out of my way to make him happy.”

“I’ve got bad news for you, Cecilia Ramos.” Colt smirks at me. “I think you’ve gone and caught the love.”

“I really think I have.”

He goes still, turning to face me. “Wait. Really?”

Slowly, I nod. “But I haven’t told him yet. So don’t say anything.”

“Ceci.” His voice breaks. “For real?”

Inexplicably, my eyes flood with tears. “Really real.”

The next thing I know, my best friend is sweeping me into an enormous bear hug. His familiar cologne tickles my nose, and I wrap my arms around him, indulging in his simple affection.

“I’m so fucking happy for you,” he murmurs in my ear. “I hope he knows how lucky he is to have you.”

“I’m the lucky one.”