Colton, though. He wasn’t just part of them. He was them. A harmonious chroma in their vibrant palette. She was, and had always been, the unused lime green forgotten in the box. You might use it eventually, but the color would ruin the rest of the picture.
A choking sensation clutched her throat, and the heat in the room became oppressive. Wine wasn’t going to cut it. She needed water. As quietly as she could, she slipped from the room and back into the kitchen. She dumped out her wine, refilled the goblet with water from the faucet, and gulped several long swallows.
“Was my singing that bad?”
She whipped back around. Colton had followed her.
“Terrible,” she said quickly. And because her attempt at a teasing tone was an octave lower than convincing, she forced a smile. “I had to wash away the lingering taste of it.” She lifted her glass as if he needed proof.
He crossed the kitchen and didn’t stop until the toes of his shoes touched hers. She bit her lip and stared at his chest. “That was really cute,” she said. “You’re really good with the kids.”
“Gretchen.”
She glanced up.
He hooked his arm around her waist and tugged her toward him. His hand on her back was warm, reassuring. “I know that face.”
“What face?”
“The one that says you’re about to grab your shoes and run out on me again.”
Her cheeks heated. “You’re never going to let me live that down, are you?”
“Just tell me why you’re making it again.”
“I’m no good at this, Colton.” She spoke to the floor.
He ducked his head down to catch her eye. “At what?”
“This.” She gestured toward the living room, where the children were still shrieking with glee as they received presents from Santa Vlad.
“Christmas?” He smiled again. “I know. But we’re working on that.”
“No, I mean, I’m not good at this.” She put her hand in the center of his chest.
He immediately covered her hand with his own. “You’re good for me.”
Oh, wow. Okay. He was rewriting her entire notebook. She sputtered against her racing heart before shaking her head. “I’m not, though. I’m a Winthrop. You’ve met my family. You see how they are.”
“And you’re not one of them.”
“But I am. The only reason I agreed to talk to you is because my brother offered me a spot on the family foundation board.” Shame brought a sour taste to her mouth, and she braced for his scorn.
Instead, he simply squeezed her hand. “So?”
“So that should tell you I’m no better than them!”
“Well, if that’s your criteria, then I’m no better than them either, because the only reason I said I’d consider the endorsement is to get you to go out with me.”
“I know. And this is our third date.”
He jerked his eyebrows suggestively. “Four, if you count last night. Which I do.”
She pulled her hand free from his. “Are you going to sign an endorsement deal or not?”
“I don’t know. I think I need more time to research it. Many, many more dates like last night, I think.” His light, teasing tone was starting to grate.
“I’m being serious, Colton.”
“So am I.”
“We can’t be this”—She gestured between their bodies—“if you endorse the company. Especially when I join the foundation board. It would be unethical. There are rules against that sort of thing.”
“And joining the foundation board is important to you?”
“Yes, but—”
“And that’s already a sure thing?”
“Basically, yes, but—”
Colton shrugged. “Then, no, I’m not going to sign the deal.”
“Colton, you can’t just—”
“Yes, I can.”
“This deal is a huge opportunity. You have to know that.”
“You’re more important.”
Her thoughts screeched to a halt, along with her heart. How did he do that? How did he say all the right but wrong things? “You can’t make major life or career decisions because of me.”
“Why not?”
“Because we haven’t been dating long enough!”
“We’ve been dating long enough for me to know that if I have to choose between you and the endorsement deal, that’s a no-brainer.”
“I’m not worth giving up thirty million dollars, Colton.”