42. Colt

42

COLT

I lean against the bar, nursing my whiskey, watching Flora dance with Aurora on the crowded floor. Her golden hair catches the pulsing lights, and her smile tightens my chest. Nash’s shoulder brushes mine as he orders another drink.

“She’s different,” I say, not taking my eyes off Flora as she throws her head back, laughing at something Aurora whispers in her ear.

“Stronger.” Nash’s voice carries a note of pride. “Though she always was. Just needed to believe it herself.”

The club thrums with energy as the carnival crew celebrates leaving Easthollow behind. Ty holds court at a corner table with Cade and Lars while Phoenix lurks near the DJ booth, probably critiquing the sound system. But my focus keeps returning to Flora. I watch how she moves without fear now, how she owns her space instead of trying to shrink into shadows.

“Remember how she used to flinch when anyone got too close?” I take another sip, the whiskey burning pleasantly. “Now look at her.”

Flora catches my eye across the dance floor and grins, beckoning us over with a crook of her finger. Nash chuckles beside me.

“Our girl’s getting bold,” he says, setting down his glass.

“About fucking time.” I push off from the bar, drawn to her like always. The crowd parts as Nash and I approach her, and I catch more than a few envious glances. Let them look. They can see who she belongs to.

Flora slides between us, her skin glowing with sweat from dancing. She reaches up to touch my jaw, then Nash’s, claiming us both in front of everyone. No more hiding. No more shame.

“Happy New Year,” she says, pulling us closer as the music shifts to something slower and darker.

I hold Flora close as she moves against me, her back pressed to my chest while Nash faces her. The bass thrums through us, matching my heartbeat. Her fingers thread through Nash’s hair as he dips his head to her neck, and my chest tightens, not with jealousy but with fierce pride that we’ve found this balance.

We dance until Flora’s cheeks flush and her breath comes quick. She tugs us toward our table, where three fresh drinks wait.

“Aurora’s got good taste in music,” Flora says, sliding into the booth between us. She takes a long sip of her cocktail, then settles against my shoulder.

Nash reaches across the table to brush a strand of hair from her face. “Good taste in friends, too.”

“Smooth talker,” I say, smirking at him over Flora’s head.

“You love it.” Nash winks, and Flora giggles.

“Both of you are ridiculous.” She traces the rim of her glass. “But you’re mine.”

The simple possessiveness in her voice hits me hard. I kiss her temple while Nash captures her free hand, threading their fingers together.

“Wouldn’t want it any other way, little bird,” Nash says.

We sit in comfortable silence, watching the crowd, sharing occasional touches and private smiles. There is no need to fill the space with words. We’ve moved past the uncertainty that used to plague us. Now, we just are.

Flora hums along to the music, perfectly content between us. Nash catches my eye, and I see my feelings reflected there—this bone-deep satisfaction, this sense of rightness, of home.

I pull Flora closer to the booth, unable to resist her any longer. My lips find hers, soft and tender, savoring the sweet taste of her cocktail. She melts into me, her fingers trailing up my chest as we share this gentle moment.

Nash watches us with dark eyes before claiming Flora’s mouth next. Where my kiss had been gentle, his is fire—passionate, all-consuming. Flora whimpers against his lips, and the sound stirs something primal in me.

When they break apart, Nash’s gaze locks with mine. I cup his jaw, drawing him to me in front of Flora. Our lips meet, and it’s different from kissing Flora—rougher, more demanding, but filled with just as much love. Nash sighs into my mouth, and I feel Flora’s hands on our chests, holding us together.

“My beautiful men,” she whispers, and I feel Nash smile against my lips.

We separate but stay close, foreheads touching as we catch our breath. Flora turns to press kisses along Nash’s jaw, then mine.

“Fuck, you two are my world,” Nash murmurs, his voice rough with emotion. “I never thought I’d have anything like this.”

“Me either,” I admit, threading my fingers through his hair while my other hand finds Flora’s. “But here we are.”

Flora nuzzles into my neck. “Wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”

I pull Nash and Flora closer, the club’s chaos fading into white noise. Flora’s fingers trace lazy patterns on my chest while Nash’s hand rests warm and solid on my thigh. The familiar scents of Flora’s vanilla perfume and Nash’s woodsy cologne blend and ground me in this perfect moment.

“Let’s get out of here,” I murmur against Flora’s hair. She nods, already sliding out of the booth.

Nash takes her hand while I wrap my arm around her waist, and we weave through the crowd toward the exit. The winter air hits us like a kiss, crisp and clean after the heated club atmosphere. Snow falls in fat, lazy flakes, catching in Flora’s golden hair and on Nash’s dark lashes.

Flora tilts her face to the sky, letting the snowflakes melt on her cheeks. Her pure joy radiates from her, making my chest ache. Nash watches her, too; his tender expression steals my breath.

“I love you both,” Flora whispers, her words creating little clouds in the cold air. “So much it terrifies me sometimes.”

Nash pulls her close, pressing his lips to her temple. “You’re ours, little bird. Always.”

I step behind her, boxing her between us as I kiss the nape of her neck. “No more fear. We’ve got you.”

The world narrows to just us three, standing in the gently falling snow. The distant thump of bass from the club, the occasional passing car, the sounds of the city fade away until I can only hear our synchronized breathing and the quiet crunch of snow beneath our feet.

Flora turns in our arms, rising to kiss Nash, then me, her lips warm despite the cold. Nash’s hand finds mine around her waist, our fingers interlocking. The simple touch sends electricity through my veins. When Nash’s dark eyes meet mine over Flora’s head, I see everything I feel reflected there.

This is what home feels like. Not a place, but these two people who complete me in ways I never knew I needed.