AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I want the shit job.”
A grimace forces its way out before I can stifle the expression. “I am not going to be fun today. What’s more, I might even be mean,” I say.
“Really?”
“Well, I’m sure as hell not going to be nice.”
“That’s okay. You can be mean to me.”
A heavy sigh creeps out of me. “I don’t want to be mean to you. I just need to be miserable and not have anyone expect me to be anything else.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
“I’m serious.”
“I am too.”
“After I get off work, I’m going to a cemetery,” I warn him.
“Then looks like I’m dressed correctly.”
Cole isn’t wrong. He’s wearing his normal uniform of black shirt and black jeans.
“Do you always dress for a funeral?” I pluck at the dark material, suddenly very unhappy with how loosely it hangs on him. He needs to eat more. Maybe I should add more apples to my fridge.
“Black is easy.” He speaks the words in a low voice, and I realize he’s pinched a lock of my dark brown hair between his fingers, fiddling with it.
As if he plans to distract me from my misery by making my heart beat faster.
“Black works for me today.” I knock his hand away and step into my office, moving to grab my purse and pull on the over-sized cardigan I wear when the air gets chilly. Once my door is locked, I tilt my head toward the exit, an invitation to follow me.
Cole nods, iceberg eyes on me. Before taking another step toward the lobby, I find myself pausing, fingers reaching out to pluck at his sweater again.
“Black works for me today,” I repeat. “But when I’m happy again—and I will be—I won’t be able to stop myself.”
“From doing what?” he murmurs, his stare seeming to catch on my mouth.
“From trying to paint you in colors.”
Chapter Fifteen
COLE
“I think we need a safe word.”
Good thing I already parked because that sentence has me choking on my tongue and coughing until my eyes water.
“You okay?” Summer watches me from the passenger seat of my truck, concern clear on her face. Apparently, her death trap of a car decided to break down, which means I have the perfect excuse to drive her around.
I nod, taking a swig from a water bottle in my cup holder. “Safe word?” My mind jumps to all sorts of sexy conclusions I didn’t think were on Summer’s agenda for the day.
“Yes. A safe word. You’re being great friend. But I wasn’t over exaggerating when I said I’m going to be a shit person to be around today. And I want you to have an out.”
“An out?”
“That’s what I said. A way to beg off if this all turns way too depressing for you to handle.”
“Can’t I just say that?”
