The moment he encircled me, images flashed in my mind. Colt and I when we were younger, playing in a creek near my old house, him splashing me with a wild laugh. Then another image. Us, middle-aged, dressed in evening wear and dancing across a ballroom, the gold in his eyes glowing. “I love you, LeeLee.” I blinked against Colt’s chest. I was officially losing it. I’d gone from imaginary friends to an entire imaginary life. Colt’s arms didn’t loosen as he held on to me, and slowly, my body relaxed, melting into his embrace. For the first time in years, I felt safe.
