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A beat of silence, then—
“You’re off at nine, right?”
“Yeah.”
“Does your mom like flowers?”
“Cole, you don’t—”
“Can I kiss you when I see you?”
My face explodes with heat. Oh hell, my entire body does. I’ve missed this man.
Which is why I can’t help teasing him.
“Only if you’ve brushed your teeth first.”
His chuckle drifting from the phone is a cool compress on my aching heart.
I’m about to say goodbye when he stops me with a question. “Did you read the chapter?”
“Yes. I did. It was lovely and heartbreaking. Was any of it…” I don’t know how to finish my question without risking him shutting me down again. I know how Cole shows his affection now, but I still want to know more of him.
“You inspired it. How I feel when I think about telling you about my past.” He sighs, heavy. It breaks my heart but also fills it with love. “The first sixty or so chapters I wrote when I was incarcerated.”
“The Rapunzel story?”
“Yeah. I felt trapped. Like I was going to go mad. A lot of that came out in the story.”
Instantly, I decide to go back to chapter one and re-readThe Seven Siblingsfrom the beginning. Now with Cole in mind as I devour his words.
“All of your writing is gorgeous. But this week…” I choke on my words, clearing my throat and blinking away tears. “It meant a lot. And I think I understand now. And I’m sorry.”
“You don’t need to apologize.”
“Too late. I already did.”
His chuckle is a soothing balm, and the sore parts of me start to heal. Then he sighs.
“About the car that I keyed.”
“You don’t—”
“I do. You need to know. Because I don’t regret it.”
That has my teeth snapping shut.
Cole keeps talking. “I know the owner of that car. A guy named Martin. He’s Paige’s ex. They were engaged, but he cheated on her. Then when she was with Dash, the bastard tried seducing her.”
“Oh.” Memories of Cole’s friend come to me then, of the sweet woman who quickly enfolded me into their group and later showed me how to fall without injuring myself during our self-defense lesson. Anger on her behalf heats in my chest.
“Yeah. So. I hate his guts. And I get it. Keying his car was immature. Should probably be the bigger man or whatever. But…when I love someone, I can’t stand seeing them hurt. You know?” There’s a vulnerable note in his voice, and I wish he was in my office so I could wrap my arms around his waist.
“Next time—” I clear a sudden blockage from my throat. “Next time we see his car, I’ll stand watch while you slash his tire.”
There’s a smothered laugh from his end, then Cole speaks in his deliciously smoky way. “That’ll earn you a spot on the naughty list, Summer Pierce.”
Damn it to hell. Dirty thoughts are going to plague me for the rest of my shift.
