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She chose the turkey sandwich from his left hand, brushing her fingers against his. She cleared her throat. “When did you do all this?”
“About twenty minutes before you got here,” he answered.
“It’s sweet.”
“Surprised?” He lifted an eyebrow.
“Yes.” She took a bite from her sandwich. After swallowing, she pointed to it in her hand. “Albert’s Deli?”
“The one and only.”
She leaned over the basket. “Any muffins?”
“Not tonight.” Cole’s face was grim as a mask.
Her eyebrows shot up. “What?”
He covered his mouth as if to stifle a laugh. “Kidding, Leah.”
She threw her napkin at him. “Jokester.” Her mouth turned upwards, giving into a grin.
Cole wiped his own hands with a napkin. “How was your day?”
“Busy.” She rested her gaze on him. “I can’t thank you enough for the photos. It’s done wonders for my business.”
“Glad I could help.”
“You did. More than you know.”
His eyes smoldered with intensity. He reached over and clutched her hand. “You did the same for me.”
Becoming suddenly still, she asked, “When?”
His eyes raked over his studio walls. “I came back to this town to slow down. I’ve traveled the world, but nothing felt like home.” He paused, releasing a deep breath. “I’ve always felt caught in my brother’s shadow and desperate to please my dad. I thought I wouldn’t be good enough to make others proud like Seth did. I sought credibility, especially from my dad. I’m through with that now.”
She laced her fingers with his, knotting them together like a cord. His father always struck a sore spot with him, so she listened instead of voicing her opinio
n.
Cole kneaded his shoulder with his free hand. “With you, Leah, I don’t have to perform. It’s as if you see me for me.”
“I thought… if I went along with everything, the guys I dated would stick around. Seth leaving made me question myself. Before I knew it, I stopped using my voice, thinking I would lose anyway. I wasn’t being myself. I let the fear of rejection rule me.”
“So, you took a break from dating?”
“I thought if I got back to me, I could find myself again.” Her voice cracked as she held back tears.
Cole drew closer, careful not to knock anything over. He hooked a hand underneath her elbow. “Did you find her?”
Her breath caught, but she answered. “Yes, but I think… you always knew where she was.”
“She’s beautiful.”
Leah parted her lips to respond, but as he inched closer, her lashes fluttered. Cole didn’t give her a chance to reply. His lips barely caressed hers as her phone buzzed.
Cole sighed, resting his cheek against hers. “Don’t answer it.”
“I don’t want to.”
