Colt Quotes

“Heaven. Let’s find it together, yeah?” “Yeah.” She nods. And we do. Twice that night. Again in the morning. Truth is heaven really is a place on earth. Long as I get to be with the people I love, I’m there. I’m never fucking leaving again.”
― Jessica Peterson, Colt

“More staring. “Forgive me if I made this up, but weren’t you the one who called him the cuntiest cunt who ever cunted?”
― Jessica Peterson, Colt

“You want me to cuff you, you just gotta ask, Dallas.” I nip at her neck. “Now get on your fucking knees.”
― Jessica Peterson, Colt

“I’m gonna knock your socks off, Colt. Colton. Whatever the hell your stupid-but-also-kinda-hot name is. Also, fuck you.”
― Jessica Peterson, Colt

“Parenthood is just as rewarding and empowering as they said it would be. Ha.”
― Jessica Peterson, Colt

“Finance bros like Randolph are the opposite of adventure. But cowboys? Yee-freaking-haw.”
― Jessica Peterson, Colt

“You’re gonna leave here knowing the difference between what’s truly important and what’s just plain bullshit. What’s a website got to do with breeding the healthiest”
― Jessica Peterson, Colt

“What I’m trying to say is⁠—” “I love you too.” God, I can’t stop blurting things out today. “My God, Colt, I’m so in love with you I can’t—I just can’t.” Then I’m yanking him in for a kiss, and he’s kissing me back, and the dance floor erupts in hoots and hollers. We kiss for an embarrassing amount of time. Tongue and everything, the two of us just really going at it like it’s our last night on earth. When we finally come up for air, I see that we’re surrounded by his family.”
― Jessica Peterson, Colt

“I feel loved. I feel seen. I feel so happy I want to yell. Who cares if my parents don’t get it? Who cares what Mom thinks? What if the only thing that matters is what I know about myself?”
― Jessica Peterson, Colt

“Amazing how much better you feel when you talk about shit,” I reply. “And I love talking about shit with you, Colt.” “I love talking about shit with you too, Lainey.” Nash lets out a low whistle. “Would you look at that! Two people openly communicating. Trying to understand each other. Giving a shit about how the other feels. Sounds like a solid foundation for a relationship to me.”
― Jessica Peterson, Colt

“It’s nice to think all that pain, the betrayal and the heartbreak and the loss that we went through, would lead to something good.”
― Jessica Peterson, Colt

“I’m no genius⁠—” “But she is creative, and she’s about to be a big fuckin’ deal in these parts.” Colt puts a hand on my nape and squeezes. “Mark my words.” Beck’s expression softens as he looks at us. “Y’all are actually pretty damn cute together.” “Don’t act so surprised,” Colt shoots back. “I can be cute upon occasion.”
― Jessica Peterson, Colt

“Lainey! Wait. I’m worried⁠—” “I’m fine. Better than ever actually. Trust me, okay?” I almost add I’ve never disappointed you before, and I’m not about to start now. But it’s time for a reframe. I’m done disappointing myself. I’ve done so much of that in the past, and it stops now. So I tell Mom goodbye and I hang up.”
― Jessica Peterson, Colt

“I no longer have the obligation to put what I want aside so I can be her life preserver. She doesn’t agree with my choices? Yeah, that’ll sting, but it’s only my future on the line now. Not ours. I’m only responsible for myself. Not everything I do needs to make my mom happy, because truth is I never had the power to make her happy in the first place.”
― Jessica Peterson, Colt

“Can I ask what you’ve been working on?” I whip my head in his direction. “Whoa whoa whoa. Since when do you not want to light all my ideas on fire?” Rolling onto his side, he lifts his free shoulder. “It’s a recent development.” “Tell me more.” I grab the notebook. “Not to get too into the weeds here, but…I don’t know. I’m starting to think that maybe shaking things up a little might be a good idea.” I blink at him. “Can you say that again? Just so I can be sure I heard it correctly. Because when we first met⁠—” “I was the worst. I know. I was wrong. Maybe.” “Maybe?” His smile is back, and it takes my breath away. “You’ve been the best surprise, Lainey Brown.”
― Jessica Peterson, Colt

“Aw, honey, you cold?” “Yes. No.” I shake my head. “Just, I’ve never been…like that.” Colton goes still. “What d’you mean?” “You’re really good at that, Colt. Sex. And making me feel like a million bucks.” The skin at the edges of his eyes crinkles. “My job here is done. Except, wait, I really hope we’re not done⁠—” “Of course we’re not done.” I press a finger to his lips. “I just didn’t know it could be like that. Like, it could be this good with someone I’ve known for all of, what⁠—” “Thirty days.” He rocks his hips, beginning to ease out of me. “What are you doing tomorrow?” I laugh again, if only so I don’t burst into tears all over again. “You’re still inside me, and you’re already asking me out again?” “Yes.” He says the word so matter-of-factly. Like us going on another date—spending more time together—is a given. “Come over for dinner. LEGO building optional.”
― Jessica Peterson, Colt

“I unknowingly stepped off a cliff, and now I’m plunging to my death. I’m falling. Too hard. Too fast. I love every fucking minute of it.”
― Jessica Peterson, Colt

“Because the kiss—it’s the thing I always miss most.” Her voice is breathy. A little strained, like she’s trying not to cry. “And I think—I know—you’d be really good at it. I can’t—I don’t wanna miss you like that.” My heart is going apeshit inside my chest. She likes me. Likes me. Heart on her sleeve. No games. No playing coy.”
― Jessica Peterson, Colt

“I wanna lean in. Kiss her mouth. Let her know just how good she makes me feel. I got all this shit inside me—joy, eagerness, tenderness, gratitude—and I wanna share it with her. Show her with my lips and tongue what this means to me. I want that so badly it hurts.”
― Jessica Peterson, Colt

“Where does all this relief and need and playfulness go when she leaves? Because I like this version of myself. I’m terrified, wearing my heart on my sleeve in a way that makes absolutely no sense. Part of me feels like I’m being reckless. Another part feels just plain brave. Maybe keeping my walls up wasn’t the accomplishment I always believed it was. Maybe… Hell, maybe it made me less of a man. Because right now, buttons flying off my shirt as I tear it off in gleeful anticipation, my boots falling to the floor with dull thuds, I feel alive. Fully, deeply alive.”
― Jessica Peterson, Colt

“She’s just so…effortlessly, genuinely playful. I wonder if that’s why I’m able to be playful with her in a way I haven’t in years. Hell, a decade. It’s like she’s giving me permission to just be. No second guesses. No putting on a show.”
― Jessica Peterson, Colt

“I kick the door shut and I’m on her. I grab her waist and push her up against the wall, yanking off my hat so I can bury my face in her neck. Your favorite hat, and you don’t even care that it’s on the floor. You got it bad, boy.”
― Jessica Peterson, Colt

“My hands shake as I put the truck in park and turn off the ignition and fly out of my seat. You’re fucked. I am nothing if not steady. But here I am, shaking like a goddamn leaf while I open Lainey’s door and unbuckle her seat belt and run my hands over her body as I help her down.”
― Jessica Peterson, Colt

“Did you love your life? Before⁠—” “My wife died?” He runs a hand over his face. “I thought I did. I wanted to. But in retrospect, I’m not so sure.” “Oh. Wow. Interesting.” He pulls his brows together. “This is not exactly scintillating first-date material, this story.” “Who cares? You already know you’re getting laid.” “I am?” I elbow him. “Tell me. Only if you want to, of course. But I’m down to listen.”
― Jessica Peterson, Colt

“So say yes yourself more often. Even when it seems impossible or stupid or selfish.”
― Jessica Peterson, Colt

“Since when are you an expert in firstborn problems?” “Literally since the day I was born.” He taps his glass to mine. “To this being a firstborn safe space. May we learn to not be so hard on ourselves, together.”
― Jessica Peterson, Colt

“Can you? Please? We can build a LEGO set and have a dance party⁠—” “Since when do you like dance parties?” I laugh. “Since now. Okay, so you’ll ask Lainey to come over tomorrow⁠—” “No guarantees on the date.” “Will you promise?” He holds up his pinkie. Turning, I hook my own pinkie through his. “Promise. Now what do you think—do I go hat or no hat?” Dean pushes out his lips as he looks up at me. “I think you wear the hat. Your brown one that’s nice that you wear at Christmas?” I smile. “I like that idea.”
― Jessica Peterson, Colt

“I swear, everyone in this house follows me wherever I go. I’ve started to call Dean and the dog my posse.”
― Jessica Peterson, Colt