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The recognition is hard-won, but I fought for it, earning it myself... but with Cole’s help. He’s the one who truly showed me, time after time, what I should expect in a partner, what I should demand for myself, and what happiness can be.
“Thank you,” I say. I lift up to my toes and press a kiss to his lips, stealing that smile for myself.
“Didn’t do anything. That was all you, woman,” he answers. But I see the quirk of his lip. He knows what he did.
CHAPTER26
JANEY
Sittingon the arm of my couch, I stare out the window at the street, watching for a silver Suburban to pull into my driveway.
“Do you think they forgot me?” I call out to Cole.
He’s in the kitchen, eating reheated spaghetti from a plastic bowl. “Do you have your Red Bull and trail mix?” he answers, avoiding my question. “No telling how long it’ll take with all of you going, and I don’t want you to get hangry or decaffeinated.”
Distracted by his suggestion, I tap the bag at my side, feeling the cold energy drink and hearing the crinkle of my Ziploc baggie of snacks. “Yeah, I’ve got them.”
“They’ll be here,” he promises, answering my original question. He types on his phone and then holds it up. “Kayla says they’re turning into the neighborhood now.”
I smile. Not that they didn’t forget me—okay, maybe that a little—but mostly because Cole just casually texted his sister. Like it’s no big deal. Like they talk all the time. Like they’re thick as thieves now.
I hop up from my perch and rush him, my heart suddenly racing. “Really? Okay. They’re almost here. Be cool, Janey. It’s no big deal. Just a girls’ day out. It’s a pedicure, not an audition. It’ll be fine.”
Cole chuckles, bending down to get in my face. “You know they think you’re amazing, right? Kayla calls you a lion tamer, like you’re a badass or something.”
He smirks, and I remember the night of Paisley’s wedding, when Cole overheard my self-pep talk. Then, calling myself a badass was almost ridiculously silly. Now, it doesn’t feel as absurd, but it’s still a stretch compared to Kayla and Samantha.
“They’re badasses. I’m just Janey,” I counter.
“You’re notjustanything. You’re Janey Williams, lion tamer extraordinaire, monster trainer, asshole whisperer... wait, not that last one,” he corrects with a horrified shake of his head. “We’re notthatfreaky.”
I can’t help but laugh, which I’m pretty sure was his mission because when a horn honks outside a second later, I’m calmer and definitely not freaking out as much. “They’re here! I’ve gotta go!” I tell him, pressing a quick kiss to his cheek.
He follows me to the door, and once it’s open—where his family can see!—he shamelessly pulls me back in for a more thorough kiss. “Have fun, and I’ll see you tonight, ’kay?”
“Okay!” I repeat. As excited as I am for a girls’ day out with Cole’s family, I’m a little nervous about tonight. We’re all convening at the Harrington house for a mandatory family dinner. But first things first... pedicures!
Cole would usually open the car door for me, but the girls have already rearranged themselves inside, leaving the door open for me. When I climb into the back seat, they all whoop and holler. “Damn, girl! Getcha sum!” Samantha says.
“Go on and kiss da girl!” Luna sings in a baritone voice, sounding like Sebastian, the crab fromThe Little Mermaid. I found out at the wedding that she’s a total Disney movie addict and likes to sing the songs randomly.
Gracie leans over to her, adding in the harmony, “Sha-la-la-la-la, don’t be scared!” The two of them dissolve into giggles, and I’m so happy she’s coming with us today.
I blush, but it’s more about the attention from them than the kiss from Cole.
“Welcome to the Mom-mobile,” Miranda says, meeting my eyes in the rearview mirror with a friendly smile. “Your house is lovely.”
“Thank you,” I reply, knowing my small ranch house is nothing compared to the Harrington estate. But it’s home, and I’m proud of it. I glance out the window as she pulls out of the drive and see Cole still standing in the doorway. I wave goodbye one more time and squirm around in my seat to face forward.
“Looks like Cole’s a fan too,” Miranda quips, honking her horn once more as we zoom off.
At the salon, Miranda checks us in, happily telling the receptionist, “Mani-pedis for all my girls.”
Being included in the Harrington girls’ trip alone is awesome enough, but being grouped in with everyone like that is a whole different level of awesomeness that makes my heart skip a beat. I can’t hide the giddy smile on my face. But...
“Oh, I’d love to do the pedicure, but I can’t have nail polish at work,” I say, showing her my short, naked nails that are a requirement at The Ivy.
“No problem, you can leave your nails bare if you want, but enjoy the pampering part.” She smiles warmly, and I agree, mostly because I don’t want to be the odd woman out because even Gracie is picking out a color from the wall.
