Cole: Call me when you’re ready to come home.
Half of her was disappointed he hadn’t said it was total mayhem over there. She wanted the excuse to leave. The women had broken into smaller groups, laughing and catching up with each other, and she just couldn’t bear standing off by herself, putting together a little plate of food.
Ugh. Not again.
Since she’d returned her rental a while ago, she’d been driving his car, so it wasn’t like he could come get her anyway.
Hailey: I drove here!
Cole: I guess you haven’t been in the garage?
She laughed.
Hailey: Let me guess. Car collection?
Cole: Don’t you know if you needed a ride, I’d take an ATV into town? With an extra helmet for my favorite badass?
Hailey: I should come home.
Cole: Because you’re not having fun?
Hailey: Because I don’t know anyone
Cole: Do you want to know them?
That old, familiar yearning to be included hit like a spasm that gripped her entire body. She’d thought she’d gotten over it ages ago.
Hailey: Yes
It surprised her how much she meant it.
Cole: Then, stay. Have a good time. If you drink and need a ride, I’ll come get you.
Hailey: Okay. See you soon.
Sliding her phone into the inner pocket of her tote, she looked around the room. She could stand there and watch the women have a good time with each other, or she could take a chance and join them.
And if she got screwed over, so what? She was an adult. She could handle it.
When she walked in the door at eleven, she was surprised to find Cole on the couch reading. Yellow lamplight gilded his black hair, and when he heard her come in, he got up and smiled.
Happiness whisked through her. She could get used to this, walking in the door and seeing him smile at her with such relief and affection.
She had to stop herself from running into his arms. After she took off her boots, she hung up her jacket, and still, he stood there waiting patiently with that adorable smile that told her he was as happy to see her as she was to see him.
And that was really all she needed to get out of her head and follow her heart. She ran right for him. When he lifted her off the ground, her legs wound around his waist. He held her so tightly a sense of peace rushed through her like cool water, smoothing her jagged, scarred edges. She could feel herself softening in a way only women who weren’t alone in the world could understand.
“I missed you.” He said it so quietly she almost didn’t hear.
“I missed you, too.”
He backed her up against a wall. “But you had a good time?”
“I did. It was great.”
He pressed his cheek to hers. “You’re so cold.”
“Well, it’s minus ten out there.” But the warmth of his touch chased it away. She wanted more, so much more. Possibly more than he could give. “I’m cold inside, too.” And it was true. She’d lived with a sense of barrenness for so long, she’d stopped acknowledging it. “Warm me up?”