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Only today, his eyes do something different, sparkle a little brighter, shine a little deeper. “Is that a promise?”
I nod, even though he knows it is.
I chose to live alone after they’d bought the house because, in some twisted way, I needed it to prove to myself I could still do it. That I had it in me to have my independence and follow my own judgment.
Even more perversely, I told myself that if I couldn’t do this, then there was no way I could run Hardin one day. I had this warped sense of need to prove this self-reliance to myself. To trust my judgment.
I’ve held strong this far, and I didn’t plan on changing, no matter how tempting and persuasive Cole likes to try and make it. Like now, the perfect example, as his hips rotate as they shift across my lower stomach provocatively.
I shove him off even though I don’t want to.
“Come on. You’re going to make us late if you keep doing that.”
“That doesn’t sound so bad to me.” His pupils darken to the shade of lust.
“Finn’s going to be so mad if we show up after Abram does. It is supposed to behissurprise birthday party,” I remind him.
That’s another thing, since the Kellets have no holdings with Hardin any longer, Silas was forced to step down. Abram and I agreed it was better that he stay on in my place until we both decided I was ready.
That’s not to say Cole ended up penniless after everything. He still has his trust fund he got after turning eighteen. That alone has more money than one person should ever see in a lifetime.
“Think Abram will give me some leverage since I’m dating his daughter?”
“Does he give you any in the office?” I ask, scolding him.
Turns out, in spite of his mother’s attempts, and Iceman trying numerous other things—at least over a dozen—nothing worked out quite as well as when he was at Hardin.
If Camellia were still alive though, I don’t think she would’ve been upset with his decision. Because it washisdecision. One he’d made on his own.
She wanted him to have the option to make his own choices, and he had. Choosing me, choosing Hardin. Even if technically, I amhisboss.
Which he never once misses the opportunity to mention, by the way.
“Are you sure I can’t persuade you?” Cole asks, and I can feel his excitement pressed into my sternum.
My head is already shaking on a chuckle.
“Fine,” he says even if he’s the polar opposite of it.
Yanking, he grabs at my elbow, spinning me back around. Eyes jumping as they bounce across my face in concern. My actions had been quick, the same as the familiar pang of emotions hit again.
“What is it? Talk to me,” he repeats.
I sigh. This old wound is still so fresh. “I just miss her. She should’ve been here with us.”
He grabs my chin, lifting it back so that it meets his, focusing me.
“Hey.” His voice turns soft. So different from the callousness of his touch. “You guys still talk all the time, every day. Yeah?”
Basically, but it’s not the same. We were supposed to be here together. Hailey was supposed to be here with all of us. The hellhounds.
Running his teeth over his lip, he bites it on an inhale. My frown deepens, not understanding his reaction.
His expression doesn’t change but there’s something about it—it’s the shift in his eyes, that makes them appear more thoughtful.
“Look, I know I shouldn’t be telling you this. It was supposed to be a surprise…”
My chest inflates. Like this party for Abram?
