Page 72 of Wilde Hearts

A smile appeared on his handsome face. “I can do that. I remember our first date like it was yesterday.”

I held up my hand again. “You’re not getting sex on the first date like you did the first time around!”

When a look of horror crossed his face and his gaze snapped toward the front door, I laughed.

He looked back at me and chuckled. Then grew serious. “Ensley, I want you to know, I don’t think I deserve another chance. But I’m gladly going to take whatever it is that you will give me.”

“I won’t lie to you, Colt, you’re going to have to earn my trust back. If you hurt me again, I’m not sure I could ever forgive you a second time.”

He turned his whole body and took my hands in his. “I swear to you, as God is my witness, I will never leave you again. I would rather die than ever cause you more pain.”

The door opened, and my mother and father walked out. Dad was carrying a tray of hot chocolate and what looked like brownies. He put it down on a low table that sat in front of the bench adjacent to the swing. They were wearing coats, but my mother also had a blanket with her, which they shared when they sat on the bench.

“Please tell me those are Oh My God brownies,” Colt said, dropping my hands and standing to reach for a brownie.

My mother grinned. “They are.”

Colt took a huge bite. He moaned and dropped back onto the swing. “This is what I imagine Heaven to be like. God, I’ve missed these.”

My mother beamed. There was nothing she enjoyed more than feeding people.

“Did you decide what you’re going to do about your brother’s room?” Dad asked.

Colt looked at me. “Would you mind helping me?”

“Talk to your parents?”

He nodded. “That, and cleaning out the room if you think it’s something you could do.”

My stomach churned. A small part of me suddenly wanted to say no, afraid of what we might find. But if Colt and I were going to give things another shot, supporting him was a good start.

“Of course. I’ll do both if you want.”

“Colt, I know it’s going to be hard to approach your parents about this. And I can’t imagine the pain they felt losing their son, so don’t be upset if they aren’t ready, even if it has been ten years.”

Nodding, Colt replied, “Thank you so much, Vivianne. Thank both of you for letting me talk to you about this. I truly appreciate it.”

They both smiled warmly at him. Then my father cleared his throat and asked, “So—let’s get to the matter of you walking out on my daughter.”

My mouth fell open.

“You are going to make it up to her, I presume.”

I was positive my face was beet red as I cried, “Dad!”

Colt’s mouth twitched. “Your daughter has given me the gift of a second chance. I made a promise to her, and I’ll make the same one to you both. I’ll never hurt her again, the way I did when I left. If she’ll let me, I plan on making it up to her for the rest of my life.”

“And how are you going to start?” my mother asked with a slight smirk.

Colt looked at me, then back to my parents. “By coming up with the most amazing second first date ever.”

My father laughed and popped a piece of brownie into his mouth. “You’re going to have to top Caden’s first date with Lilibeth.”

“That’s what I told him,” I added.

Colt looked between the three of us, then sighed. “What in the world did he do on this date?”

“Let’s just say it involved the theater in town, a private viewing of her favorite movie, and all her favorite snacks,” Mom said.