“I can’t tell you. I think it’s his story to share.”
“You’ve got to be kidding me. You get me all wound up and then explain to me you can’t tell me what Cole told you, which—by the way—is obviously a lie? He’s only making things up because he’s in a spat with his fiancée. A few days from now I’ll be a distant memory like I’ve always been.”
“It didn’t sound like you’d ever been a distant memory,” she said, her hands fidgeting in her lap.
“Sophie, you know what happened. I haven’t heard from him for eight years. You’re trying to tell me that the breakup was all a misunderstanding, and he accidentally proposed to another love of his life?”
She unsnarled her fingers and patted my hands. “I’m not telling you anything at all. I think you need to hear things from him and only him.”
Fireweed Island came into view, and I huffed out my frustration. All I wanted was a calm Saturday leading into my even calmer Sunday with a beautiful wedding, and instead, I was handed a ball of drama most soap operas wouldn’t even be able to handle.
“I honestly can’t believe you’d give Cole Hill the time of day,” I muttered.
“He’s very persuasive. Besides, I honestly can’t believe you’d be willing to do his wedding flowers but not meet with him to discuss what happened so long ago,” she argued.
“Why would I need to meet with him about something that happened years ago? I was there. Remember? Plus, the first part of your observation should explain my reasoning. Why would I meet with someone who is about to get married? It’s not appropriate. I’ve seen this a million times. The groom gets cold feet, gets distracted, has one last fling, and then goes running back to his fiancée. That’s probably what Cynthia’s up to, but hers is just lasting longer.”
“This isn’t just any groom. It’s Cole. The giver of Pickles, the maker of memories, the—”
“Enough. I get the point.”
The ferry worker signaled to turn on our car engines, and I waited in silence to exit off my own floating hell.
“I honestly can’t believe you’re willing to be his messenger.”
“He said you never responded to the email he sent.”
“Why in the world would I? He’s attached. He’s about to walk down the aisle.”
“You know Cynthia isn’t right for him.”
“Not my problem,” I sighed, turning onto Seaview Avenue where my tiny home proudly sat, blue shutters and all. “Listen, this entire experience has shown me the light. I’m over him.”
“No matter how sexy he looks?” Sophie teased, trying to get me to crack a smile.
“Personality is more important than looks,” I grumbled, pulling into my short driveway. “And he appears to be short on that.”
“I think he deserves a chance. Even if it’s only ten minutes.”
I turned off the car before I realized someone was sitting on my porch, the very someone who we’d been discussing for far too long on my Saturday.
“And I might have shown him where you lived,” Sophie whispered, hopping out of the car. “Love ya. Bye.”
Cole walked slowly down the steps, and my breath caught as he watched me watch him. It took everything I had not to put the car in reverse and run over Sophie on my way out of town. I had done everything right. I thought pure thoughts and kept my hands and imagination to myself, and now the man who I’d fallen so deeply in love with was walking over to me. So I did what any rational human being would do.
I locked myself in the car and pretended he didn’t exist.
“Come on, Natty,” Cole knocked on the driver’s side window.
I sat clutching the wheel and stared straight ahead. This wasn’t going to end well for someone and that someone would not be me.
“You don’t have to stay in the car. I won’t bite. I’ll stay five feet away from you at all times.” The low rumble of his voice did crazy things to me and it shouldn’t. The sound should have been like nails on a chalkboard, but it wasn’t. Instead, the all too familiar melody from my past silently pleaded with me to turn and face him.
Face what he had to say, but I couldn’t.
“This reminds me of that time you barricaded yourself in the car after winter formal. Remember that?”
I ignored him.
Correction. I tried to ignore him, but I saw his smile from the corner of my eye, and it thawed my heart, slightly.
“What was it I did that time to get you mad at me? Or was it you? I can’t remember. Oh, that’s right. You squeezed the butt of Josh Samler and I caught you.”
That was so not what happened.
“Remember how I got you to come out of the car?” He kept talking, but all I let myself hear from him was blah, blah, blah, I left you and screwed up your chance at a real loving, adult relationship.
“I’ll be right back.” He knocked on the window, and I jumped.
When I was positive he wasn’t facing me any longer, I glanced over at him and it was the death of me. Dark blue jeans hugged Cole’s long, lean legs and with each step he took, the fabric tugged perfectly around his thighs. Even though it was cold outside, he wore nothing more than a black thermal that stretched across his broad shoulders. He looked absolutely incredible and all he did was wake up on a Saturday morning.
I, on the other hand, had my hair in a loose bun because I was too lazy to do anything else with it this morning. I’d put on pink sweatpants that accentuated my thick thighs, and a white sweater that was far too baggy; both of which had seemed like a good idea for my trip to the flower warehouse this morning, and now not so much, and another reason why I’d be staying in the car until he left. I moved the black scarf up my chin and watched him grab one of the Adirondack chairs off my porch. He turned around, but I darted my eyes away before he caught me looking.
As he made his way over, I let out a groan. This was going to be a long afternoon, and I still needed to finish a bridal bouquet for tomorrow. Cole plunked the chair down next to the driver’s door and tapped on the window just to make sure I knew he’d arrived.
This time, I didn’t even flinch.
“I really had no idea you owned the floral shop,” he began.
Right. I think we established that before your fiancée ran off.
“But I’m not sure things would have worked out any different even if it had been another owner,” he continued. “It’s a small island, and I’m sure we would’ve run into each other at some point over the weekend.”
I stayed quiet and focused on the gutters dripping water from last night’s rainfall. Why wasn’t it pouring now when it could actually do some good?
“You’re really talented, Natty. I always knew you’d wind up doing something creative.”
An unexpected shiver rippled through my entire body. It wasn’t that I wanted approval from him. It was just how he spoke, how his words ran through me, and how the tone of his voice carried me into a past full of mostly wonderful memories.
Okay, back to reality.
“I don’t think it was an accident we’ve run into each other. I really don’t. I’ve come to believe in fate and destiny over the years. I don’t think it’s an accident at all.”
Of course he didn’t. They never did. I’d seen this a thousand times.
One.
Last.
Fling.
“I talked to Sophie last night, and it seems your interpretation of events is quite different than mine. Different enough it concerns me.”
I wasn’t going to take the bait.
Cole propped his elbow on the side mirror and even that closeness was too much for me. The attraction I felt to him was unhealthy. I shouldn’t feel his energy coming through the glass, not after this many years.
But I did.
I felt every part of him.
“I wish this could be a two-way conversation.” He let out a sigh and ran his finger along his jaw. “I know you can see me.”
My hand slid to the handle on my seat, and I reclin
ed back. Now lying down and staring at the ceiling, I shut my eyes and congratulated myself on getting Cole out of my side view.
“Cynthia left this morning.”
You should have followed her.
“I don’t know what the future holds there.”
If he was trying to seduce me, those weren’t the magical words.
“I think there’s been a lot of dishonesty in the relationship.”
Why was he telling me this? I didn’t want to be involved.
“You and I never had that problem. We told each other everything, remember?”
Up until the end when it counted.
“I’m sure it’s getting cold in your car. You need to get inside the house.” My eyes flashed open, and my stomach fell at the thought of him leaving.
But then Cole stretched, and I realized he knew what he could do to me as my eyes ran along his bare skin.
“Do you remember how I got you out of the car all those years ago?” he asked, with a low rumble of laughter. “You’d barricaded yourself in the car and wouldn’t climb out, even thought it was snowing outside.”
Please, don’t. Please don’t.
“I remember it like it was yesterday. You got mad at me after winter formal so when we got to your house, I kept the headlights on which glared right into your parents’ bedroom. You locked me out in the snow when I went to help you out of the car so I vowed to strip off one piece of clothing at a time until you got out of the car or your father saw me and threw me out of the yard. I was wearing far more clothes back then. I had a tuxedo jacket, vest, shirt, tie, and pants to strip off, but not today. I just have a shirt and pants. What are the odds?”
I realized I was smiling as he spoke and I let out a sigh.
“I knew you would be horrified if your dad saw your boyfriend stripping in the driveway and it worked. Well, now it’s broad daylight and all your neighbors will see. Not to mention tourists.”
He walked to the front of the car, standing as cocky as ever in front of my garage. Cole’s eyes connected with mine and a devious grin spread across his lips as his fingers toyed with his black leather belt buckle.
Oh, dear God. He was playing dirty. I cranked on my seat handle and popped up in less than a second.
He wouldn’t dare.
But as I watched his fingers working the leather through the buckle, I realized he would more than dare. Was this where adulthood got Cole? Stripping in an ex-girlfriend’s driveway?
“So I guess you don’t embarrass as easily as when you were younger,” he hollered so the neighbors and I could hear him, his fingers gliding over the metal.
What disturbed me most about this scenario was that I didn’t want him to stop.
However, I was obviously the adult in the situation, and I let out a grunt. I had flowers I wanted to get to my shop and a book on my coffee table that needed attention.
I curled my fingers around the door handle, just as his fingers began working the button of his jeans, and I pushed open the door.
“I knew that would get to you.” He reached down and picked up his belt and quickly looped it around his waist while jogging over to me.
“I don’t know what you plan on getting out of this short conversation we’re about to have,” I muttered, pushing by him with my shoulders, while strategically placing my hands behind me to block the view of my sweatpant-draped behind.
“Just time,” he said, coming up behind me with the Adirondack chair. “How are your dad and mom, by the way?”
“They’re doing well. They’ll probably be concerned for their daughter’s well-being after they hear about this encounter though. They’ll think I’ve lost my mind.”
I opened the door and flipped on the lights in my living room. The home was small but perfect for me. I didn’t need a lot of space, just a lot of shelves for my books.
The dark navy couch sat in the corner at a diagonal, and red pillows flanked the cushions. I’d made a coffee table out of pallets and whitewashed the rough wood. My eyes landed on my book still propped half open, the cover blazing for anyone to see what sat within the pages. It wasn’t that I was embarrassed by the story.
Heck no.
But the cover signaled what was in between the pages was scalding, and I didn’t want my ex to get any ideas.
I slowly made my way over to the coffee table and flipped the book over as Cole stood in the entry watching me.
“You can sit there.” I pointed at the leather recliner across from the couch. “Would you like any coffee?”
I didn’t wait for a response and left him alone while I paraded into the kitchen and grabbed a bag of grounds to measure into the coffeepot. I needed him far away.
“Well?” I hollered rather impatiently. I had coffee grounds to pour.
Cole appeared in the doorway, and my heart nearly stopped at the sight of him. There was something so commanding about his presence, and it unnerved me so I dropped my gaze away from his. But it was too late. I caught the look in his eyes and it was like time had never rolled right on by.
“I like your kitchen,” he said, his voice softening.
“Thanks. I put it together myself. It was a complete gut job.”
“You did this?” His brows shot up in surprise. “Yourself?”
“Yeah. It wasn’t a big deal.” I liked that I could impress him so easily. “I found the cabinets at a salvage store, stripped them and refinished them. I like how they’re different heights.”
I poured the water into the coffee maker. “And I thought using a different piece of granite for the island was no big deal. Kind of fits the vibe.” A few seconds of silence passed. “So, what is it you really want?”
I flipped the switch on the coffeepot and turned around to face him.
“I wanted to talk.” There was a hint of desperation in his voice, which tore at me only slightly. I was the wrong woman to be talking to. Cynthia was the only one who could fix whatever problems he thought he had.
“About what, Cole? This isn’t a good idea. You’re engaged, and I don’t feel comfortable about you being here, and you shouldn’t feel comfortable either.” I folded my arms and leaned against the counter.
“She’s called off the wedding before, which is why we’re only two months out on this latest date.” Cole was matter of fact, and it was difficult to tell what he wanted me to say or do. “Who knows if I’m even engaged now.”
Again, not my problem.
“Cole, I realize we’ve had a history, but that’s what it is. History. I don’t think I’m the best person to lend an ear because I doubt I’ll land on the side you want me to. The person you should be talking to is Cynthia. Not me.” I turned back around and reached for the coffee mugs as I attempted to keep my head on straight.
I felt him walk up behind me. The heat rolled off his body, making my veins feel like lava flowed freely, and my entire existence became distorted. There was some sort of magnetic force pulling between us, and I resented him for bringing it to my attention.
I set the mugs on the counter and took a deep breath in. With him only inches behind me, it would only take one wrong move, and we’d be both be in a situation we’d regret.
“You said you’d stand five feet away at all times, Cole.” I breathed in and my voice caught on accident.
“Is that really what you want?” he murmured, and a wave of goose bumps washed over my skin as I poured the coffee.
“It’s what you should want.”
He reached for his coffee and took a few steps back from me.
“I don’t like that I’m here either.” He took a sip of coffee, but his gaze stayed on mine. “It tells me I’m making a mistake.”
“People get cold feet all the time.” I shooed him out of the kitchen and followed him into the living room.
I needed him to be in more square footage where I could keep a safe and healthy distance. He started toward the couch, which was usually my spot, so I slid onto the leather chair instead.
Cole set his cup on a coaster and noticed the book I’d turned over.
“What are you reading about? Far-off and exotic places like you used to dream about?” His hand started toward the paperback, and I shook my head.
“No. I realized I like staying close to home. That’s a romance,” I informed him, hoping that would stop him from flipping over the book to see a half-naked guy on the front. Never mind the model just so happened to look an awful lot like Cole. “I’ve come to realize the only happily-ever-after that exists is in the pages of a book.”
He pulled his hand back as if he’d gotten burned and sat back on the couch. His gaze landed on mine.
“I’ve come to learn that hard lesson myself. So how’s Nick?” Cole steepled his fingers together and looked away before fastening his cool gaze on mine.
“Fine. Why? You saw him last night.”
“I assumed he was your happily-ever-after.” Cole’s brow quirked slightly as I sat stunned, feeling the earth swallow me up.
When the room stopped spinning, I brought my gaze back to Cole who sat quietly on the couch.
“Why in the world would you think that?” I asked.
There were few things in life I was certain of, but this was one of them. Nick had never and would never be anything more than a friend.
Cole sat up straighter and took a deep breath in before reaching for his cup of coffee.
“Why in the world would I not? Look who’s still standing by your side all these years later.”
“You’re being ridiculous, Cole. Nick has never been more than a friend. We’ve never crossed that line. Not that it’s any of your business.”
“That’s not what it sounded like at the dinner.” His brow arched.
I rolled my eyes and crossed my legs.
“Well?” His gaze flashed to mine.
“Because my first boyfriend is getting married and I’m having to deal with it, my male friend wanted to help boost my ego a little. So what if he volunteered to play like we had something going on. I’m sure it’s not the first time in the history of the world, and it won’t be the last.”
Love Redone in Hidden Harbor (Island County Book 2) Page 7