Thirty and Single.

Chapter 9.

"Who is Nina?" I asked softly, barely above a whisper.

But Colton didn't respond. His head had already slumped against my lap, his body relaxed, breath slow and steady. He was asleep.

I looked down at his face, so calm, so heartbreakingly peaceful in that moment, despite the pain I knew churned beneath the surface. His lips were slightly parted, his eyelashes fluttered gently as he dreamed. I couldn't stop staring. I couldn't stop wondering.

Who was Nina?
A lover?
A sister?
Someone he lost?

There was a weight in his silence that said she meant something. Something real. Something big.

A soft lock of his hair had fallen across his forehead, and I reached out without thinking, tucking it gently behind his ear. My fingers lingered for a second longer than they should have. He didn't stir.

Why is he so secretive?
Why does he keep parts of himself locked away like that?

There was something about him I couldn't explain, something that made me want to understand every inch of his story, every crack in his heart. It wasn't just curiosity anymore. It was need.

I looked at his lips again. God, they were so close. Too close. And in that raw, vulnerable moment, all I could think about was kissing him. Maybe, just maybe, I could kiss the pain away even just for tonight.

I leaned in, my breath catching.

And then—
Rrring! My phone exploded to life, slicing through the tension like a blade.

"Jesus!" I flinched, nearly jumping off the couch. Colton shifted slightly but didn't wake. My heart thundered in my chest as I scrambled to grab my purse and find my phone.

Corey.

My stomach twisted a little.

I took one last glance at Colton, still sleeping, and then answered the call, trying to sound normal.

"Hey you," I said, forcing a bright tone.

"Hey, beautiful. I just got home," Corey's warm voice responded.

"Oh. I'm glad you reached safely," I said, quieter than I intended.

There was a pause, then he continued, "Thanks. I had a great time tonight. Hope we do it again soon."

I hesitated. "Yeah... we should do it again."

Another small silence. "Okay. Have a good night, Genesis."

"You too, Corey. Good night." I ended the call.

I walked back to Colton, who was now mumbling in his sleep, soft, broken words that made my chest ache.

"I'm so sorry... please forgive me... I didn't mean to... it's all my fault..."

His face was damp with sweat, twisted in pain, as if he were caught in some inescapable nightmare.

I rushed to his side.

"Colton!" I shook him gently. "Hey, Colton wake up! You're dreaming."

His eyes flew open in panic. He gasped and looked around wildly, disoriented. I reached out, cupping his face with both hands.

"Colton, it's okay. You're safe. You're at my place. It's just me—Genesis."

He blinked a few times, trying to steady his breathing. Then, to my surprise, he leaned in and wrapped his arms around me tightly. The kind of tight that says please don't let go.

I held him, my arms circling his back, whispering softly, "Shhh, you're okay. You're safe here."

We stayed like that until his breathing slowed.