“Cole,” I whisper in shock.
He recognizes me immediately, a genuine smile adorning the once handsome face I would kiss daily. Suddenly, my eyes move toward his chest to see a baby carrier.
“Alexa?”
I offer my best smile, still surprised to see him. Cole looks different, more mature.
“Cole, oh my god, it’s been—”
“A long time,” he finishes.
“You have a baby,” I point out, swallowing the lump inside my throat from seeing him as a daddy.
“Her name is Charlotte,” he announces proudly. “I know, just like your mom. It’s always been Madaline’s favorite name, so …”
“Of course.” I lean over to better observe the baby. She has tiny features but is cute and sleepy. “She’s beautiful, Cole. Congratulations.”
Hunter clears his throat beside me, waiting with an impatient stare.
“Oh, sorry. Cole, this is my boss, Hunter Cash.”
Cole extends his hand. “Nice to meet you.”
“And you,” Hunter responds in a bored tone.
“Cole and I went to high school.”
Hunter nods, pressing his lips flat.
“Listen, congrats again on the baby.” My stomach churns, bringing on a queasy feeling. “Good luck with everything.”
“You too.” He smiles while stroking Charlotte’s hair. “Oh, say hi to Ava. She’s stopped pestering me via text. I hate to admit I miss it."
I manage to laugh. "Lucky for you."
As I wave goodbye, I walk quietly alongside Hunter with a heavy heart. Seeing Cole with his new baby evoked so many buried emotions. I can dissect it all I want, but the truth is, it hurts like fucking hell. It could have been our baby.
“Is everything okay?” Hunter questions.
“Yeah.”
“So, did you guys date or something?”
I nod. “For most of the senior year.”
Hunter doesn’t say another word but is soon distracted as his phone rings. He takes the call, so I opt to give him privacy, walking a few steps ahead of him.
For the rest of the afternoon, I’m unable to concentrate. My pen doodles circles on my notepad as I’m lost in thought. I keep replaying Cole’s face in my head, how he looks so happy and content. How I assumed he wouldn’t want a child and football would have been more important.
My phone pings as Hunter summons me to his office. I walk over slowly, knocking on the door as usual, then enter upon him saying, come in.
“So, I was thinking,” he begins with, then continues, “Meredith isn’t feeling well and usually accompanies me to New York. I’d like for you to join me.”
“Me?” I point to my chest. “In New York?”
“Yes, for three days. Unless, of course, you have other plans?”
I shake my head. “This is work, though, right?”