The Colors of Us

Contents Title Page Full Page Image Copyright Contents Blurb Dedication Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Months Later Epilogue Acknowledgments About the Author Title Page Copyright Contents Beginning About the Author 
 
 THE COLORS OF US 
 
 
 
 B. BENFORD
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Copyright Page
 ©2023 B. Benford.
 All rights reserved. This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, place, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
 No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.
 Cover Designer: Shannon of Shanoff Designs
 Editor: Quell T. Fox (Fluffy Fox Publishing)
 Formatter: Dez Purington (Pretty in Ink Creations)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Contents
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Blurb
 
 
 
 
 Chapter 1
 
 
 Chapter 2
 
 
 Chapter 3
 
 
 Chapter 4
 
 
 Chapter 5
 
 
 Chapter 6
 
 
 Chapter 7
 
 
 Months Later
 
 
 Epilogue
 
 
 
 
 Acknowledgments
 
 
 About the Author
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Blurb
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Our love is forever...
 
 
 
 Mila 
 After coming off the heels of a bad relationship, I never expected to crash into Cam Moore's orbit.
 I never planned on accepting his love, but who was I to question it?
 The beautiful thing about us, though?
 He and I were that fresh kind of love; a love that embodied all of the passion and romance everyone craves.
 He's my first love, and a man that's patient enough to stay with me, while I work through my own issues..?
 That's a man worth giving my heart to.
 
 
 
 The Colors of Us is Mila and Cam's story of first loves, family drama, and reminds us that true love- when it's real- is undeniable.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 To all of the women out there who still don't believe that true love exists. I've got good news- true love does exist just for you.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Camden, Age 23
 
 
 
 "Hey, little man …" I say, grinning down at my nephew, Milo, as he sits in his high chair, slapping the plastic blue table.
 I've been living with my brother and his wife for nearly two years, and as much as I hate it, it works. Ever since I was eighteen, good ol Dad kicked me out, after Mom and him hit a snag in their marriage. Braden, my oldest brother, was already gone, and my younger sister Sadie, was out on her own at college. I was the only kid left- the only thorn in his side.
 Not to mention my step sister, Hailey, who… she and I shared a bond like no other. Close as much as blood could be. She and I were there for each other through some of the roughest times in our lives.
 I feel like I'm imposing on Braden and Bree. Even though they say I'm not, even though I stay out of their way, it still feels like I am.
 "You're getting so big, Milo," I grin down at my nephew, who's reaching his tiny, chubby arms up to me.
 "Pu…" he coos.
 "Wanna get out?"
 "Puu…" he coos again, and this time I lift him up, holding him close to my chest.
 There's something about the fresh, newborn smell that calms me. And with Milo being such a good baby, it adds to my joy and wonder with having children one day.
 "Morning," Braden's yawn greets me before he does. He stomps into the kitchen where Milo and I are, scooping up his son and slapping me on the back.
 "I hate it when you do that," I groan, before shaking my head and moving several inches away from him.
 "My house, my rules," he retorts.
 I get to work making myself invisible around him. As much as I love my brother, he and I… just don't mix well sometimes. In the morning, before we all go to work, is the worst.
 I grab my sling messenger bag, hooking it across my body. I wink at Milo before slipping out of the door of their condo.
 I make it to work, with ten minutes to spare. Usually, I'm a stickler for being on time, but the traffic, and my old Camry that's barely hanging on, sometimes slows me down. This morning, hanging with Milo was worth it to be pressed for time.
 "Hurry up before boss man sees you, Cam," comes a quick scolding hiss from Bobby, my coworker.
 I hope these next few hours fly by. Then it's on to the shit hole that is Golden University.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 * * *
 
 Several hours later, I’m walking down the halls of the main corridor of my campus’ Humanities and Arts buildings. This place is massive, and even though I’ll be nearing my senior year soon, I still have to ask for directions.
 I’m where I need to be, after a few moments, when a conversation catches my attention.
 “Are you sure about this?” The whispered question comes from the right of me.
 I look at the blonde girl with curves, long, wavy hair that falls just to the middle of her back, dressed in all black. She’s not paying attention to me- just don’t even notice me as I