I have no idea why she’s acting like this guy has some major influence over her. The one who actually does is sitting at our table.
I shove a noodle in my mouth. It’s as bland and as mundane as her insistence on keeping on with this topic.
I want to be there for my friend but something about it doesn’t make sense. More of the pieces adding up the longer she drones on.
They’d run into each other at a local coffee shop by the house her parents were potentially selling to a client. She’d gone in to pick up their drinks, he gave her his number and that’s it. Literally never went back, never saw him again.
Nothing.
She’s also pointed out that the guy is a boring texter, so why the fuss?
Also, the name of the coffee shop, she’s only mentioned for the first time today. Weird how Finn handed me a croissant in a bag with the same logo Saturday.
Then I hadn’t thought anything of it, but now I’d bet everything on Hailey’s ghost guy that it’s not a coincidence.
I know Hailey though, and there’s no way she would’ve told Finn the name of the place for that exact reason. My theory, he searched listings that her parents own and coffee shops within walking distance and found his answer.
Cole would do something similar and those two are basically brothers, so I’m not surprised they’d carry the same caveman logic. Justifying their actions.
I’ll tell her this later when we don’t have as many listening ears.
“Ever think that this guy maybe just doesn’t like you?” Finn jerks, the passion behind his question coming out of nowhere. “I mean, you do have that weird dimple on your cheek working against you.”
Hailey doesn’t see it in her rage, but his eyes are swimming with his deception.
Her fork falls from her grasp and now I know she’s mad. Eating my food instead of her own one of her favorite hobbies.
“Guess some guys can’t appreciate a good woman even if they’re staring them right in the face,” Hailey spits back on a huff.
Since Cole’s sitting right next to me, it’s his knee I feel jerk against mine as he tries to contain his laughter.
I can’t show my cards because, unlike everyone else, they all expect this type of reaction from Cole. Honestly though, does Hailey hear what she’s saying?
The irony hitting her with the reflection of a mirror.
Hailey and Finn are still bickering back and forth. Firing off insults like it’s a competition. A pair of too-familiar hands unexpectedly lock around a piece of my hair at the middle of my back.
Shivers break out as Cole wraps a blonde piece around his thumb before dropping it to climb higher.
I bite back my moan, goose bumps breaking out across my entire body. Head to toe. His hand finds the back of my neck and he starts kneading.
Careful not to smudge my makeup, he works his way into the bottom of my scalp.I needed this.
I let out a grown, each new pass relaxing me that much more.
The unexpectedness of it all as calming as it is strange until I hear, “’sup.” Followed by a head nod that carries too much masculinity.
The niceness of the gesture washing away as soon as I track Cole’s line of sight. Eli taking his seat near us.
Cole’s mouth twists into a nasty little smirk as his fingers continue their movements. Eli’s smile fades.
I’d thought what he’s been doing was out of politeness for Hailey and Finn’s bickering. Consoling me, so I allowed it.
Now I see his true intentions. The move nothing more than him trying to show his possessiveness. It’s disappointing because I’ve just come to think that we’re past all this.
I shove Iceman’s hand away, not willing to be the puppet in this circus.
“You’re late.” Cole’s tone was as constrained as my anger.