I lean in close, my breath grazing his ear. "You're mean," I murmur, voice barely above a whisper as I swallow down the whimper threatening to escape-though from the way his smirk deepens, I know he hears it.
That devilish grin spreads across his fa...
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I get up early, knowing Colten plans on taking Emilianna and me to the ballet school—just to look around. See if it's a good fit.
She's sitting cross-legged on the floor, trying to wrangle her tiny shoe onto the wrong foot. I smile, kneel down, and slide them on for her. I tie her curls into a bow, her little legs in a pink tutu and a white shirt, topped off with that thrifted Baby Phat fur coat.
She's so cute I can't take it. All pink, different shades layered like frosting. Monochromatic Barbiecore perfection.
I grab her hand just as a knock rattles my rusty doorframe.
Colten.
He takes up the entire doorway like a damn grizzly. "Big man?" I murmur, trying not to smile.
Emilianna squeezes into my leg.
"Brought you a water bottle," he says.
I take it, raise a brow. "It's oddly small for you, but appreciate—"
"It's for her," he cuts in.
I shake my head with a teasing scoff. "I figured. I just wanted to hear you say it." I hand it back to him. "You give it to her. She's not exactly comfortable with you."
He sighs. "She'll get there—if you stop acting like she's a skittish kitten."
He crouches down, or tries to. He's still way too big to be anywhere near her eye level, but the effort counts. He offers the little pink sippy cup with strawberries on it.
She smiles wide. "Thank you," she says shyly, her cheeks blushing.
I run my fingers through her curls.
She looks up at me, her expression so bright it almost hurts. "My eyes are like yours," she beams.
I bend down with her, placing one hand on her cheek, the other on Colten's jaw.
"You do have the same eye color," I murmur.
She hides her face in my neck.
"Can you tell Colten your name, sita?"
"Emiweanna," she chirps, doing her best.
Colten holds out one large hand. "Colten," he says—not exactly warmly, but it's an effort.
I lift her up. She reaches out and wraps her tiny fingers around one of his.
I kiss her cheek, then lock the door behind us.
I lift her up she takes his hand her hand sweeping around his one finger. I tilt my head kissing her cheeks. I shut the door locking it. Following next to Colten. Emilianna loosens up around him a bit she starts pointing out little things while we walk down the steps.
He looks around like he's out on bail. "You good? You look nervous," I ask.
