I realise that at this moment in time, I have never been happier.
**********
When Cole said this was a ‘bit’ of a drive, he was definitely under-explaining it. We’ve driven for a full hour when finally, he turns off the country lane we’re on and down a much more narrow one. It’s lined with trees on either side that bend over one another, creating a long, tunnel-like space. There are signs every so often that warn you to watch out for the Red Squirrels; I don’t know if that means they’re aggressive squirrels or simply squirrels that jump in front of cars.
The tunnel opens up into a wide driveway in front of what appears to be a small castle. The windows are stained glass, andthey remind me of the place where Emmy and Cas got married. Two towers, draped in ivy, stand on either side of an arched doorway. A single black lantern hangs over the front of the door. The gravel crunches underneath our tyres as Cole parks up.
As we climb out of the truck, a peacock walks past me as if it’s just a typical day for him. I look over at Cole and point at the peacock, not wanting to scare him off. He nods at me and laughs.
“Did you see that?” My laughter dies off when we walk through the doors, and I feel magically transported to another time. It looks like the set of a period drama could be filmed here.
There is no hostess in sight, but Cole takes my hand and starts to move easily through the tables and into the back of the building. We end up in a room called the Sun Room. The windows in here are beautiful, and the rays of sun that filter through them cast an ethereal glow around the room.
“I hope you like it.” Cole’s voice is low into my ear; it doesn’t make me jump. Instead, I feel it straight into my core.
“Uhh…ye…yes.” I don’t have much else to say because I can’t concentrate with him this close.
He straightens back up and clears his throat. “It’s afternoon tea. I know you’ve always wanted to find a nice place, and nowhere near home has one…Anyway, I found this place, and the reviews say they have the best pastries in the world.”
“You bet your pretty little backside we have the best pastries in the world. Well, I saywehave the best pastries; actually, it’s just me. I don’t make them here; I sell them here. There isn’t a great kitchen here, so I have to make them at home and then…shoot, I didn’t even say hello!”
I burst out laughing at the beautiful girl rambling in front of us. She’s carrying a basket of pastries that I can’t help but salivate at the smell of.
“I’m Darla. Just take a seat, and I’ll be out with the rest of your afternoon tea.” She hurries off, and Cole pulls out one of the seats for me to sit in.
“Cole, this place is beautiful. How did you find it?”
“I found it last year when Cas and I got sent out to that job site that didn’t exist. We were on our way there, and he took the wrong turn, and we ended up here…I thought of you straight away.” He looks away, and I smile at how sweet he is.
“Well, I’m glad you took a wrong turn because this place is beautiful.” I grab a pastry from the basket, and as I bite into it, the buttery goodness melts on my tongue, causing me to moan. “Oh my god…they need these in Roselake.”
I look up to find Cole staring at my lips; either he wants to kiss me, or I have a million crumbs on my face right now.
“Cole, do I have something on my face?” I wipe at my mouth, but he’s still staring. “Cole?”
“Huh?” He must realise he was staring because he shakes his head, mumbles something I can’t hear, and grabs a pastry and tucks in.
Was he thinking about kissing me? No, he couldn’t have been, and what the hell is wrong with me? I’m having another man's baby, who doesn’t want anything to do with them or me, and lusting over my best friend.
I swear it’s the hormones.
Chapter 10
Cole
3weekslater
16 weeks pregnant. Baby size – Avocado
Lacey hasn’t bought a single item for the baby yet, but since the scan, she’s been talking about organising a day off from work where she can spend it browsing the stores for things to buy. My palms are sweating because I don’t know if what I’m about to do constitutes putting my nose where it doesn’t belong. I don’t want to ask my brothers because, let’s face it, getting advice from them is like trying to ask a bar full of drunken idiots to recite the alphabet backwards.
Instead, I go to the two other people who know her well enough.
Me
Morning ladies, keep this between us please. I’ve contacted Lacey’s boss at the aquarium and asked if she can have the full day off today. I was planning on taking her shopping for baby clothes…have I overstepped the mark?
Hayleigh
