Page 116 of Dirty Rich Cinderella Story

“Hi. Who is this?”

At the sound of my mother’s voice, I cringe. I turn to find her approaching, shoving her long brown hair from her face. “I’m Lori’s mother, Evelyn Havens.” She extends her hand to Cole.

“I’m Cole Brooks,” he says. “Lori’s—”

“Her boss,” my mother says. “Yes. And you really are just too good looking for the sake of the female population. My, my. Come inside. I’ll make coffee.”

“He can’t stay,” I say quickly.

“I’d love some coffee,” Cole counters, his eyes on me.

“Oh, good,” my mother says, opening the door. “I can’t wait to chat and hear about your work.”

She enters the apartment and I step closer to Cole. “Do not say a word about us.”

There is a flicker of emotion I cannot name in his expression, before it becomes unreadable. “Of course not, Lori,” he says tightly. “I will continue to wait for the day that you decide we’re worthy of that acknowledgement.”

I think I just hurt him. I don’t want to hurt him, but I can’t make that right. Already he’s stepping around me, and into the apartment.

I squeeze my eyes shut just thinking of the Goodwill Emporium Cole has just entered. I dread the look in his eyes, but he and my mother are already talking. I have to go in. I join them inside and shut the door to find Cole sitting at our kitchen table that is so small, while he is so big that he looks like he’s sitting at a kiddie table.

“I have this delicious chocolate creamer,” my mother says, grabbing it from the fridge. “Would you like some?”

Cole’s eyes meet mine, dark and still unreadable. “I’d love some,” he replies.

He hates sugary coffee but my mother hands him the bottle and he pours it in the steaming cup in front of him. “You, honey?” my mother asks, setting another cup of coffee in front of the empty seat next to Cole, which is obviously meant for me.

“Yes,” I say, moving to sit down as my mother does the same, effectively sandwiching me between her and Cole, the wall the table is against directly in front of me.

The minute I’m in the chair, Cole’s leg is pressed to mine, and heat radiates up my thighs, straight to my sex. My gaze shoots to his, and he knows what I feel. I see it in the arrogant glint in his eyes. “Lori tells me you’re a nurse,” he says, glancing at my mother.

“All my adult life,” my mother says. “It’s a crazy, satisfying job.” My mother doesn’t linger on her. She turns a question on Cole. “How long have you been practicing law?”

“You might as well say my entire life,” Cole says. “My father started talking to me about case law when I was in diapers.”

My mother smiles. “He must be proud of you; both of your parents must be proud.”

Cole’s expression doesn’t change, but I feel the flex of his leg against mine.

“Do they live here in New York City?” my mother asks.

“They’re gone, mom,” I say, trying to rescue Cole. “His father right around the same time as Dad.”

“Well then,” she adds, studying Cole a long moment, “you and my daughter have much in common. I’m sure that helps you work well together.”

“Indeed,” Cole says, his eyes meeting mine. “It does. We do.” Seconds tick by, seeming to hang in the air, with no words spoken until Cole breaks the connection. “I should go,” he says, giving my mother a nod. “Thank you for the coffee and the visit, Mrs. Havens.”

“Evelyn,” she corrects.

“Evelyn,” he says, his attention shifting back to me. “Walk me out, Lori.” It’s not a question.

I nod anyway, as if it was, and stand up, my belly clenching, chest tight with adrenaline and emotion. Now is the time when I face what he thinks of this place and me. Now is the time that I face the imbalance in our lives. Cole waits for me at the door and opens it, allowing me to exit first. I step into the hallway with him immediately behind me. The minute the door shuts, I whirl on him and explode, without even meaning to do it. “I told you not to come here and yet you went inside.”

He pulls me to him. “Move in with me. Leave this place and come home with me.”

“My mother—”

“Can come, too. We have an extra bedroom.”

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