Total pages in book: 116
Estimated words: 114011 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 570(@200wpm)___ 456(@250wpm)___ 380(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 114011 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 570(@200wpm)___ 456(@250wpm)___ 380(@300wpm)
He smiles. “That kid loves his mom.”
“Well, his mom loves him, too, but I literally had no idea that he knew that I cried in my bathroom.”
Cole twists his head to mine. A darkness filters through his blue eyes.
“Not that it happens often,” I add in a hurry. “But I didn’t know he worried about me like that. Here I am worrying about Ethan and how any man I date will affect him, and he’s worrying about it too. What the heck?”
“He’s not worried about that. His concern is for you.” Cole shrugs. “He wants you to be happy.”
“I’m only happy if he’s happy.”
Cole starts to speak but stops. He runs a hand over his chin again.
“You were great with him,” I say, my heart squeezing in my chest again. He listened in a way that showed Ethan his opinions were important. He validated him and supported him. My gosh. “Thank you for that.”
He smiles. “I really had a fun time tonight. It’s been a long damn time since I ate burgers and chips. And then played Uno and watched game shows while drinking milkshakes.”
“We live a glamorous life over here,” I say, laughing.
His smile remains, but he stills. “You’ve carved out a pretty neat little piece of the world for the two of you. I know that it hasn’t been easy, and you’re not where you want to go yet, but I hope you see how great it is.”
I pull my legs to my chest and absorb the compliment. It fills me with pride.
“I have this house in San Diego,” he says, his gaze drifting off into the abyss. “It’s . . . very nice. I have nice cars. The ocean is in my backyard.”
Wow.
“I’ve purchased paintings and rugs and dishes. I’ve hosted parties on occasion and had dinners with my friends in the kitchen. And no matter what I do, it doesn’t feel like this.” He looks at me again. “It doesn’t feel like home.”
My chest is the only thing that moves. My breaths, quick and shallow, are the only sound that I can hear.
I force a swallow. “Maybe you have bad taste.”
It’s a silly thing to say, but it’s the first thing that comes to mind. The first thing except for the truth.
Maybe what he lacks is a family.
The mere idea of verbalizing that to Cole terrifies me. What if he thinks I’m suggesting it—as in, Hey, we should be a family. Because I’m not suggesting that. Who would I be to think that he and I are on that level? It’s laughable. It’s ridiculous.
It’s impossible.
Cole grins. “I don’t think that’s the issue.”
“Have you had an interior designer look at it?”
His grin gets wider. “I haven’t. You think that will help?”
I shrug, my cheeks flushing. Stop talking before you think.
“Maybe I’ll give it a try,” he says.
“Great.”
He laughs and stands. “I probably need to get going.”
I scramble to my feet too. “Really? Why?”
He reaches for my hands. I place my palms against his. He pulls me closer—so close that our chests nearly touch.
Instantly, the vibe goes from slightly awkward to complete ease. He nestles his fingers together at the small of my back. The embrace, that really isn’t one, causes all tension to exit my body. In its place is a comfort and peace that I wish I could bottle up for later.
For when he’s gone.
For when I’m alone and needing to find this feeling that I’m afraid only comes with him.
“If I don’t leave now,” he says, his voice just above a whisper, “I’m going to have a hard time not kissing you.”
I grin. “So?”
“And if I start kissing you, I’ll want to touch you.”
“And?”
He kisses my forehead. His lips linger against my skin. I lean toward him, closing my eyes, and try to take his advice. Don’t let your thoughts turn into worries.
When he pulls away, I sigh.
“I have some calls to make early,” he says. “And you have work tomorrow, right?”
I nod.
He takes my hand in his again and leads me upstairs.
I’m not sure what I expected tonight, but it wasn’t this. It wasn’t him leaving so soon—even though it’s not so soon. It’s already well after nine o’clock.
It’s just that the night was so perfect, and I hate to see it end.
We get to the door and Cole stops. He turns around.
His eyes sparkle as he reaches out and brushes a strand of hair out of my face. “You really like it here in Ohio, don’t you?”
My hands tremble as I loop my fingers in the waistband of his joggers.
I’m not sure what he’s asking me or why—and I’m afraid to think about it too much.
“Yeah,” I say. “My roots are here. This is my home.”
Cole nods, biting his lip. “Okay.”
“Okay.”
He lowers his head. His lips find mine.
His arms wrap around me and pull me into him. I drag my arms to his neck and entwine my fingers through his hair.