Chapter Fourteen
Addi
“You’re in over your head, and you know it.” Leigh lifts her frozen margarita to her lips and eyes me over the sugar rim.
“I am not.” I roll my eyes and look around the smoky bar. I don’t know why I even let Leigh talk me into coming here. It’s dark, a little sketchy, and the millions of fog machines fill the place with smoke so thick you’d think they allowed cigarettes in here.
“You’re in denial, Addi. You can’t even look at me.”
I snap my eyes back to her. “It’s hard to see with all this smoke.” I wave my hand around for dramatic effect. I’m so in denial, but she doesn’t need to know that.
Leigh laughs and rolls her eyes. “Yeah okay, girl. Whatever you say.”
“The drinks are delicious, though.” I raise my glass before bringing my lips to it and licking the sugar rim.
It’s as if a storm brews, ready to take over at any minute inside my belly. Awake at night, I stare at the ceiling as it flips and twists, growing worse.
The storm named Cole.
He fills my bloodstream, running through my veins, and follows me everywhere I go. No matter what I do, I can’t stop it.
I was a fool to think I could do this thing with him and not have any feelings, and I’m a fool now as I sit here and let it happen.
“The other night seemed so different, though. We connected … we shared something. And after our perfect morning together, I thought maybe we were closer … maybe things might work. But since then, he’s been distant. He says his mind is overloaded, and the bank is breathing down his neck. He won’t talk about it.”
“Men,” Leigh mutters. “So why won’t he date you? Or anyone, for that matter.”
“I don’t know. He doesn’t discuss it. A bad relationship in the past is my guess.”
“Hmm, still wants to fuck, though, right? Since he’s been acting off.”
“We did once, but he didn’t seem into it. I could be reading too much into it, but vibes are vibes. When they change, they change.”
“What do you want? Do you want a relationship with him more than just sex?”
“I don’t know, Leigh. I mean, I guess … yes … I ... I think I love him.”
It’s true. I hate to admit it. I hate to believe it’s happening. But I’m falling hopelessly in love with Cole.
It’s unreal, consuming, and lighting me on fire from within.
I’ve never felt anything like it before. The more I see him, the more I want. And Leigh is absolutely correct.
I’m in over my fucking head.
Leigh’s mouth drops open. “I knew it! I soooo knew it!”
“Oh stop, you didn’t.” I smirk.
“I did. I even said it to Joe last night. It’s written all over your face, Addi.”
I blush. “Of course, it is. I thought I was doing so well ...”
Leigh laughs. “I know you, though, but if you take away my biased opinion, I still will commend you for doing a good job. Most people view you two as business partners who hook up.” She shrugs and sips her drink.
“Most people? I hate this town.” I frown and pop a sugared strawberry into my mouth.
“Shit flies around here, you know that. But no one’s said you’re in love, so that’s a plus.”