I batted his arm but kept the thick rimmed glasses on. They really do change my appearance.
Spotting Mark and Melanie walking together up ahead makes me smile when I notice she has linked arms with him, her fire red hair peeking out of her green hat. They look happy; it’s refreshing to see everyone enjoying themselves. We really needed this.
I stop at a jewelry shop window—who could resist? I press my hands on the frame to get a better view. “Oh, it’s beautiful,” I whisper, the glass fogging briefly from my breath.
Cole leans over my shoulder to see what has caught my attention. It’s a small crystal teardrop with a real snowflake preserved inside, hanging in the middle of a delicate chain. The way the crystal is set helps magnify the tiny flake.
“Really does make it one of a kind.” He smiles as he says it.
I have to laugh, thinking how true that is. We continue walking to meet up with the group since we’ve fallen a bit behind.
Cole doesn’t seem to be in a hurry. He suddenly flinches, then mutters something. He stops and leans down close to my ear. “Please go with what I say next.” He shakes his head, then I hear what’s making him uneasy.
“Well, well, Cole Logan,” says a long-legged blonde with unbelievably white teeth.
“Hello, Christina,” he replies through clenched teeth.
Oh, the bat-shit crazy ex!
She glances at me, then down at our joined hands.
“Who’s this?” she asks him, not acknowledging me.
“This is my fiancée.” He smiles at me, and I play my part well by stepping up on my tippy-toes and giving him a rather long kiss.
“You’re engaged?” She looks like a trout with her mouth hanging open. “Well, that’s a pity.”
I roll my eyes.
“Yes, we are, and we have to meet up with the family, so…ah, take care, Christina.” He nods and steps around her.
“Happy holidays, Serena,” I say sweetly.
“It’s Christina,” she huffs behind me.
We round a corner before Cole says anything. “Well…”
“She seems nice.”
He laughs and pulls me into him, giving me a hug.
“So, your fiancée, huh?”
“It’s not far from the truth, baby,” he mutters into my hair, but before I can get him to clarify exactly what he means by that, he’s tugging my hand in the direction of Zack’s restaurant.
Dinner is just being placed in front of us when Cole’s cell phone rings.
Mark looks worried as Cole excuses himself from the table and steps outside.
“Could be anything,” Keith whispers in my ear.
Watching Cole through the window gives up nothing, as his back is turned to me, so I can’t read his face. Twenty long minutes go by, and everyone at the table attempts to draw my attention away from Cole.
Finally, Sue comes and sits in Cole’s chair and gets me to focus on her.
“Hey,” she says, gently running her hand over my forehead. “Are you feeling all right? You look a little pale.”
I shake my head and think about this morning. Actually, over the last few days I have been feeling a little strange, but it’s to be expected with all that’s been going on.