Dark Sexy Knight (A Modern Fairytale)(56)

“Okay, Colton.”

Colt opened his door and swung his body out, pushing the door closed before rounding the car. Verity stood next to the passenger door, her arms crossed over her chest, her face stern as she looked up at the building.

“Please don’t let me down,” she whispered.

And this time, he couldn’t help himself. Glancing back at Ryan, who was happily eating his crackers, he turned to Verity and took her hand, untucking it from her elbow and lacing their fingers together. He was relieved that she didn’t fight him, and even more relieved when she squeezed his fingers.

“I won’t,” he promised.

She looked up at him, her eyes so blue, it was like God had chosen the color from the sunniest summer sky he could possibly make. “Okay.”

He tugged her over to the front door and used his keycard to open it, holding the door for her. They entered the first-floor common room, where two of the residents were watching The Electric Company and Lamont was vacuuming the floor with earbuds on. Colt tried to look at the room through her eyes—at the worn but comfortable sofa, scratched wooden coffee table, and serviceable but clean beige carpet. There was an ivy plant on the table and framed pictures painted by the residents on the walls. It was clean and tidy, and homey. He hoped she could see it too.

“Oh. It’s Cousin Colt. It’s Cousin Colt. It’s Cousin Colt,” said Frieda, who sat on the couch beside Duane. “Cousin Colt is here. Look. It’s Cousin Colt.”

“Hi, C-C-C-Cousin C-C-C-Colt,” said Duane in halted speech, offering a huge smile that showcased his buck teeth.

“Hey, Frieda,” he said, giving her a little wave. “Hi, Duane.”

“Let’s tell Melody that Cousin Colt is here. Cousin Colt is here.”

Frieda stood up, tapping Duane on the shoulder, though his attention had gone firmly back to the TV. Lamont, who’d finally noticed Colt and Verity, switched off the vacuum and pulled out his earbuds. He wore the standard CM uniform: khaki pants and a navy blue polo shirt, but his afro seemed higher than ever today.

“Colt, my brother!” he exclaimed, offering his hand and a cheerful smile to Colt and Verity. “Man, oh, man, who is this?”

Colt smirked. “Behave.”

“She is not with you.”

“Yes, she is,” said Verity, giving Lamont a small grin.

“Lucky devil,” said Lamont.

“Cousin Colt. Cousin Colt. Lamont, Cousin Colt is here.”

“Yes, he is, sweet Frieda.”

“I’ll get Mel. Mel. Mel. Mel.”

“Frieda,” said Lamont, gently but firmly. “The bus will be here in—” He checked his watch. “Three minutes. I need you to go brush your teeth and get your purse. Zip it up. Put it on your shoulder. I’ll be waiting here.”

“But Cousin Colt is—”

Lamont put his hand gently on Frieda’s arm, then turned back to Colt. “Work calls. Mel’s waiting for you upstairs. Catch you on the flip side?”

Colt nodded, watching as Lamont gently ushered Frieda toward her apartment, where he’d redirect her to brush her teeth and gather her belongings together for a day at work. He turned back to Verity, watching her hawkishly as she followed Lamont and Frieda with her eyes. Finally she looked up at him.

“This isn’t what I expected.”

He nodded. “I know.”

“It’s so . . . loving. It’s normal. Like, not normal, but, you know, safe. And nice.”

“Nice places do exist, Verity.”

She still seemed uncertain when she asked, “Can I meet Melody?”

“Come on.”

They walked up the stairs, and Colt turned left, stopping in front of Melody’s apartment. “Ready?”

For the first time since arriving at Bonnie’s Place, Verity smiled at him. A real smile, boundless and warm. “I am.”

Because Mel would be awake, he didn’t use his keycard—he knocked, and, as though she’d been waiting right behind the door (which was probably true), Melody whipped open the door, her face split into a beaming smile.

“C-C-C-Colton! It’s zoo day!” She reached for his waist, wrapping her freckled arms around him.

Colt grinned down at his cousin’s strawberry-blonde head, wrapping one arm around her and still holding Verity’s hand in his. “Sure is!”

Mel leaned back, clicking her teeth together with excitement as she spied Verity. “Who are you?”

“Verity,” she said, dropping Colt’s hand and offering it to Mel.

Melody looked up at Colt.

“She’s a friend, Mel. A really special friend,” he explained.

And just as he’d known she would, Melody completely ignored Verity’s outstretched hand and threw her arms around Verity’s waist too.

What he didn’t know—what he hadn’t known in so long, it took his actual breath away—was the sort of happiness he felt watching his cousin hug his girlfriend. And when Verity looked up at him over Mel’s head and smiled?

Fuck if he didn’t have to turn away.

His f*cking eyes were burning.





CHAPTER 13


All things considered, thought Verity after they’d dropped off Melody at Bonnie’s Place at six o’clock that evening, the day went very well.