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Actually, he isn’t really looking at me. He’s looking at my hand, which is clenching his handkerchief. I’d intended to ask for an address, that way I can wash it and send it back. Handkerchiefs are expensive and there is no way I’m going to hand back one that is wet with my tears and snot.
Immediately, I know I’ve never been more embarrassed in my entire life. Seriously. He isthatattractive. Dumbly, and even though it isn’t my original plan in the slightest, I hold out the snot-covered cloth for him to take.
“I don’t want it back.” He furrows his brow, like he’s thinking about saying something else, only to think better of it.
Of course, I have to make myself look like a fool in front of him. Completely and utterly mortified, I pull my hand back and turn to face the front of the room. I only have to sit through another few minutes of wanting to run away before I can finally leave. Thankfully, I will never have to see Cole or Sori again. Although Sori is a complete sweetheart and I wouldn’t mind seeing her again.
Everything is finally returning to normal, and I am almost out of the woods, until Judge Carter stands up and dismisses everyone.
“Can we go now?” Cole doesn’t sound the least bit amused that Sori is waiting for me at the door a few moments later.
“No.” I hear her berate him while I’m walking up. “I don’t know what your plans are, but Casper and I are going to lunch. You can find your own way home.”
I try to hide my surprise at her words. Though, honestly, it seems like something she’d do and I’ve only known her for an hour.
“Hey,” I say hesitantly. It is more than obvious that Cole thinks I’m interrupting their private conversation, but they are literally standing in front of the only doors to get outside.
“Great.” Sori grabs my arm. “See you later, Cole.”
She walks out without looking back. I, on the other hand, do look back. The glare he sends my way when he sees my eyes causes a shiver to race down my spine. I just can’t tell if it is in fear or excitement.
2
COLE
Watching Casper walk away without getting her number burns more than I’ll ever admit. Except I can’t bring myself to hit on a woman who has just cried in front of a room full of strangers and currently has makeup running down her gorgeous face. A face that will haunt my dreams, no doubt. Bright-amber eyes are set in an almost doll-like face. Even though she is so short I can see over her head without a problem, she has such a presence that I am drawn to her immediately. Well, that and her hips and ass sway so deliciously my mouth is watering.
At least there is a bright side to running Emmett’s errand. The absolute last thing I want to do with my day is hunt down my cousin’s wife. Emmett is positive that Sori has gotten another ticket, and he wants me to prove it so he can tease her about it.
Something about the two of them having a bet on whether or not she’ll get one? I don’t care enough to ask for more details. It is something to get me out of the house, so I jump at the chance. Honestly, sitting around is not doing me any favors. One hellacious month of recovery, and I’m ready to get back to living. A new duty station, a new life. All I’m waiting on is the doctor to clear me, but for that, I still have to wait another month.
I watch Sori and her new friend leave the courthouse, knowing there isn’t anything else for me to do downtown. Except maybe hit up a bar or see what Emmett is up to. Since I don’t want to drink alone, it looks like I’m going back to Emmett’s office to torture him but not before sending a text to Sori first.
Cole:Get her number. She’s cute.
Her reply comes almost instantaneously.
Sori:What makes you think I don’t have it already? She’s my friend, after all.
I sighand then smile at my phone even though Sori can’t see it. She is adorable, that much is true. I know what is coming next and I sit on the bench just down the street and watch Sori. She is rushing back to the courthouse, dragging Casper back with her, confirming my suspicion that she has gotten a ticket and doesn’t want Emmett to know. I know for a fact that she hadn’t known Ms. Casper Townsend at all before court.
After all, the girl looks like she’s come straight from teaching kindergarten students. Hell, her shirt has a fingerprint in blue paint on the arm, and she doesn’t even seem to notice or care. Every woman I’ve ever dated would have screeched and taken it to the nearest dry cleaner as soon as she got it dirty. There is something about her that tells me Casper doesn’t mind getting dirty.
Cole:Liar.
Sori doesn’t answer,but I knew she wouldn’t. Instead of staying and feeling like I’m hovering around like a creep, I’ve got to do something else. Even though every movement away from her feels like I’m walking away from something huge… something monumental, I hail a cab and head uptown toward Emmett’s office. I’ve managed to kill a few hours, but the day is far from over. Unfortunately, I walk right into a fight I can’t get away from.
“I don’t care who you are.” Emmett’s voice filters out into the hall and the hair on the back of my neck stands up. He is using that voice. The one he used when we were kids and he was about to go nuclear. “You don’t walk into this office and demand anything.”
I can’t help it, I step into his office and shut the door behind me. Honestly, I’m surprised he doesn’t have the door shut to begin with. It isn’t like Emmett to argue with a potential business partner or associate where any of his employees can overhear.
Except, as soon as I close that door and turn to face my cousin, I want to run in the other direction.
“Nope.” My brother Miles snaps when I try to flee. “You’re not going anywhere, Cole.”
His authoritative tone has me freezing in place. This isn’t my older brother speaking, but a major in the Marine Corps. I know better than to question the command of an officer. That doesn’t mean I can’t be a smart-ass, though.
Snapping to attention, I make sure to flip him off as I put my hand to my forehead in salute. “Yes. Sir.” I enunciate every word, my body as stiff as I can manage with the slight throbbing headache I can feel building behind my eyes. At my tone, his face drops, and he loses a little of the hard exterior he’s been staring at Emmett with.
