I open my mouth to retort, but Cole beats me.
“You’re bossy, pushy and foulmouthed, have some decency.”
“Are you going to let him talk to me this way?” Laura looks at me, sticking her finger out at him. What do I say? Those are the three words that identify Laura to a T. She likes those things about herself. I guess it’s not so nice when someone like Cole says them to you. I don’t know what to say. I don’t handle this kind of thing very well and they both know it.
I take a deep breath, trying to find my bearings. They both have a point, but they’re putting me between a rock and a hard spot. I look between the two of them a few more times. I feel the heat crawling up my face, and my breath comes out shallow.
“Whoa, Kate, it’s okay. Take a breath, baby.” Cole rubs a hand up and down my back.
Laura relaxes. “Yeah, sorry, to put you in that spot. Look, I’ve gotta go. I’ll talk to you tonight at dinner. And you, Cole, are still a jackass.” She spins on her heels, stomping away.
I mentally sigh. That was a close one.
I slump into Cole, resting my forehead against his chest. “How was your appointment?”
I lean back against the 458. “Good.”
Cole leans into me, giving me his mega-watt smile. “It was, huh?” He runs his nose along my neck, kissing the hickies on my neck. “What did you decide?”
I turn my neck, giving him better access. “Well, I’ve decided…”
Cole hits a spot on my neck that sends tingles down my spine, and I shiver. “I want to make a baby with you.” he stills, his lips against my neck.
“Cole?” I pull his face down to mine. “I’m kidding.” He squeezes my sides, making me laugh. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I couldn’t help myself.”
I pull a birth control package out of my purse and show him.
He takes my face in his hands. “Thank you, baby.”
“Anything for you.”
Cole gives me a tender kiss. “I need to get back to the hotel, some documents are coming in that I need to go through and sign.”
“Okay, we’re eating with my parents tonight. My aunt and uncle are coming. Dinners at seven. Will you make it?”
“Yes, I’ll be there. Where are you parked?”
I point in the general direction of the Dodge. “Over there.”
“Come on, I’ll walk you to your car.”
“Oh, um, you don’t have to.”
“Kate, I’m walking you to your car.”
“Well, it’s not my car. I don’t have one, remember?”
“Fine, I’m walking you to your mother’s car.”
I slump my shoulders in defeat. “Fine.” He grasps my hand and I walk him over to the Dodge.
“This—” Cole covers his mouth with his hand, clearing his throat. “This is the car you’ve been driving?”
I put my hands on my hips, lifting my chin. “Yes, it was my grandmother’s before she passed away.”
“I don’t know, Cookie. I think this is better than the—what was it you bought in Vegas? A Crown Victoria?”
I punch his arm. “Be a gentleman and open my door for me.” He pushes me up against the Dart. “Not before I give you a proper goodbye.”