AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Closing my eyes, I remember who was on her calendar today.
Cole Reed.
I wonder why he’s in Indy. Is he passing through? Or does he live here? Last I knew, he was heading home to New York to work for his father’s restaurant company. But my biggest question is why is he meeting with Ruth? I couldn’t see him ever needing to hire a matchmaker. Plus, how would he have gotten through to Ruth without me seeing his application first?
So many questions.
I decide to phone a friend. Flipping my phone over, I pop in my earpods and tap Stella’s contact.
The phone rings a few times before she picks up.
“Yo,” she says into the phone.
“Hey. Settling in?” I ask her. Cass and I picked her up from the airport Saturday morning and I’ve kinda been obsessed with her settling in. I want her to stay in Indy, so her happiness is important.
Stella chuckles. “Yeah, and I was last night when you called.”
“Look, I just want you to love it here. I’ve missed you,” I tell her honestly.
“I know, Lay. But I’m here, at least for now. As long as Hazel needs me, I’m here. So stop worrying.” She sighs into the phone.
“Fair enough. I’ll back off.” My tone is sheepish.
“Nope, it’s fine. I love that you care.” Stella laughs.
I join her, because, yeah, I’m totally going to keep checking in with her. “So I called for a reason. Do you remember Cole Reed?”
“Holy shit do I remember Cole Reed. You were like secretly in love with him.”
My eyes widen. “No, I wasn’t! We were just friends,” I argue.
“Friends who wanted to bone.” She snorts.
“Shut up. I was dating Trevor. And he was always with a different girl. We were just friends,” I repeat.
“Sure. So why are we strolling down memory lane?” she asks.
“He showed up on Ruth’s calendar this morning.”
“Snap. I would not have guessed that man would ever need help in the love department.”
“Right?” I’m so glad I’m not the only one who’s surprised. “But really, I wonder why he’s in Indy and how he got through to Ruth. You know she’s picky about her clients. Hand picks them once they’ve been properly vetted. I haven’t even seen an application for him yet,” I tell her. My lips twist to the side.
“I actually worked with him about two years back.” She reveals.
“What? When?”
“Remember when I was living in NYC for several months for that TIME Magazine contract? Well, I was doing some odds and ends contract jobs on my own and his company hired me to photograph their newest restaurant.”
Leaning forward on the desk, I prop my chin in my hand.
“Huh.” Is all I say.
“Yeah, Reed Restaurant Group is who hired me. He was there while I did my thing. He’s just as fun as I remember. So I’m with you. I wonder why he’s here in Indy.”
A knock at my door startles me out of the mystery of Cole Reed.
“Hang on, Stell,” I tell her.
