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A smileof utter contentment awakens inside me when I close the door behind the movers. The moment Cole agreed with me living here, I immediately called my landlord after leaving his place. She understood and wished me luck. At a crazy rate, I boxed my possessions. The girls came by to help, but since I'm hardly sleeping, I used the nights to pack my belongings. Living in this new accomodation with twenty-four hours of security and knowing Cole is nearby relaxes my overstrained brain.
I cruise to the purple love seat that I've placed by the window. After removing my heels, I kick my feet up, and rest my body.This is heaven.
In this apartment building, the residents have a unique key for the elevator and outsiders need permission to come here. So now I can let go of the fear of unannounced or unwanted people dropping by. I close my eyes and enjoy the quietness until a hard knock invades my relaxed state. Who— "Alisha?"
I rise and make my way to the front door as I perceive the familiar voice. I open, and Samantha greets me with a full smile. "Great, you're here. Can I come in? Please?"
I open the door further, and she enters.
"Oh, your place is amazing!" she shrieks. "Colorful and fun. I love it." She wanders around the living room and halts at the wall covered with pictures.
"Wow, are these your friends?" she asks in awe, pointing to a photo of Bella, Amanda, Emma, and me at Emma's wedding.
"Yeah, they're my besties."
"I miss my best friend, Rachel," she whispers.
My heart breaks when I sense the longing in her voice. She stares at her shoes while standing on my favorite handmade rainbow-colored rug. It has soft pastel tints that will brighten up any room. She sits on the couch. "You're a colorful person." She giggles as she takes in my red, pink, blue, and purple cushion collection.
"Colors are the smiles of nature, and they speak louder than words," I say with a shrug.
"I love it. Cole's penthouse is clean, and everything is black, grey, white, or brown. He could use other colors in his place. It's like we're living in a hotel. He orders dinner from the restaurant downstairs. I might sound ungrateful, but I'm not used to it. My mom and I always cooked together."
The corners of her mouth drop. "How can I tell him that? I don't want to hurt his feelings." She lets out a huff, and I know there's more she wants to share.
"Okay, missy, spill it. What else is bothering you?"
She places her palm against her forehead. "Cole's going full parental on me. Yesterday he started nagging over my clothing on the floor and the towels in the bathroom. This morning he lectured me over leaving my breakfast plate on the counter instead of placing it in the dishwasher."
I hide a chuckle that wants to come out. "Cole is your father, Samantha. It's part of his job."
She lifts her shoulders. "I know, but... I..."
Her phone rings, and theJawstheme ringtone flows through the air. She peeks at the device, and I walk towards her. "Who is that?"
"Who do you think? I'm not answering." She sighs and shows me the screen.
I read the display—the big guy. I bite my lips, withholding another chuckle. When it stops ringing, I gaze at Samantha. "Why is he calling you?"
Her mouth twists, and she avoids eye contact.
"Samantha… I say warmly."
She lets herself fall back onto the couch and places her hands in front of her face. "He's checking up on me."
"Let me guess. You left without telling him where you were going. Am I right?"
She shrugs.
"Samantha." My tone is stricker this time.
TheJawsringtone starts again, but when Samantha doesn’t move, I bend forward, grab her mobile, and press the button.
"Samantha, where are you?" His deep voice reverberates through my body.
"Cole. You can relax. She's with me."
He ends the call, and I lower the phone. Guess he's satisfied with that answer. I glance over at the teenager, who's now standing by the window. My eyes wander over her. She's tall for her age. Her braided, dark blonde hair shows off her flawless skin. "Do you want a glass of iced tea?" I ask while walking to the kitchen.
