“Nope.”
Hearing my heels click on the wooden floor makes me shake my head. I didn’t think I would be happy walking back to his office again. The door is already open, so I poke my head around and see him, arms crossed, standing in front of his huge floor to ceiling window. He looks powerful and strong, making me grin as I step farther into the room. He’s still here with me.
He must have heard me because he slowly turns and graces me with a smile that hits me right in the center of my heart. “I was beginning to think you stood me up,” he teases.
“I was just admiring the view.” I make my way over to him and tuck myself into his side. “What were you just thinking about?”
His grip tightens on my hip, but he doesn’t say anything for a moment then kisses my head and asks if I am hungry.
“I am.” I give him a wink.
“First…” He laughs, heading over to his desk and pulling out a square, flat box. He comes back and hands it to me. “Merry Christmas.”
I slide it out of his hands and pull at the bow. I peel back the top, and my breathing nearly stops. “How did you get this?”
“I have my ways.” He leans in and grants me a soft kiss on the cheek. I swallow hard as my fingers stroke the record signed by Flat Street Tony. The very record that used to hang on my living room wall. But even more surprising is what is under it. My chin begins to quiver.
“Oh,” I whisper.
“I hope it’s okay that I—”
“Yes,” I laugh through a sob, “this one was my favorites of us.” My heart lodges in my throat as I hold the eight-by-ten photograph of my mother and me, when I was ten, at a carnival. “Thank you, Cole. Truly, it means the world to me.” I smile up at him, feeling my love for this man growing more and more. “I can’t believe you were able to get these for me!”
“I’ll do anything to put that smile on your face, baby.”
“That, I don’t doubt.”
We settle in on the couch and eat our lunch and make small talk, but I can sense he has something to tell me.
“I have to leave in three days,” he finally blurts.
My heart jumps out of my chest. I know it would run right out the door if it could, just to avoid any more pain. He must sense this because he quickly grabs my hands.
“It’s not what you think. Team Blackstone is going to help with a special training exercise for the Green Berets.” I feel my body go slack, allowing my heart to slowly recover. “Normally, we’d be heading to North Carolina to Camp Mackall, but due to the sheer volume of candidates this year, we’re doing the training at Camp Green Water here in Montana.”
“I didn’t know you guys helped out with the training.”
“We don’t have to, but we volunteer our time. Plus, I’m looking for a new recruit. Derek won’t be staying for much longer, and nothing is better than a fresh soldier I can mold.”
“Derek is leaving?” I feel kind of sad. We have become friends over these last few weeks.
“No, not really.” His eyes darken. “Frank has another position for him. He’s a good soldier, but he doesn’t fit if he isn’t trusted.”
I want to argue, but I decide against it. Cole makes logical decisions, so if Derek is to leave, it’s for a good reason. “How long will you be gone?”
“Two weeks.”
“Oh.” My stomach twists.
He squeezes my hand. “I’m only going to be thirty minutes from here.”
My eyebrows shoot up. “Really?”
“Yes. Will you come visit me?”
“Can I?”
“Yes.” He grins. “I don’t want to go very long without seeing you, Savi.”