Page 108 of Forbidden Flame

“And I assumed you’d always live on your family’s farm.”

“Is there another way?” I asked him, opening my mind to the possibilities.

“If our families don’t like us together”—he pointed between us—“then we could go our own way.”

“But what about my workshop? I have a building where I make and store the pies.”

“I’m a contractor. I’ll build you one.”

“Would you do that?”

“I’d do anything for you.”

My heart felt ten sizes too big. I couldn’t even think of a time when I’d been happier. Cole loved me, and he was planning a future with me and Izzy. “You’re okay with the fact that I come with Izzy? We’re a package deal.”

Cole huffed out a breath, then tightened his arms around me. “I love Izzy.”

I felt almost dizzy with relief. He loved me and Izzy. I imagined what it would feel like to wake up in our bed in the house that Cole bought. We’d forge our own future, the one we planned together. Even though it sounded like everything I’d ever wanted, it felt too good to be true.

I cupped his face with my gloved hands and kissed him.

We pulled away slightly, and I felt the depth of his emotions in his gaze. He loved me and Izzy.

“What’s going on here? Why is Daphne Calloway in your lap?” The tone was harsh, hitting us like a whip.

I scrambled off Cole’s lap to put distance between us.

Emmett Monroe stood a few feet away, his forehead creased and his jaw hard.

My heart raced, and my hands trembled. This was the moment we wanted to avoid. We wanted to be in control of the narrative, but now it was too late. Emmett knew about us, and he wasn’t happy. He was angry.

It had to be the one brother we were positive wouldn’t take it well. I waited for Cole to say something, anything, but he stood next to the chair where we’d just been cuddling, his face rigid.

When we told our families about us, I’d hoped we’d do it together. That we’d support each other. But all I felt was the cold air between us.

“Are you seeing a Calloway?” Emmett said my last name with such disdain it made me lightheaded and weak.

“You don’t get a say in who your cousin dates,” I finally said softly, my tone even despite my nerves.

Emmett’s gaze swung from Cole to me as if he’d forgotten I was still there. “So you are seeing each other.”

The words we’re in love stuck in my throat because Cole wasn’t saying anything. “I should leave you two to talk.” I glanced at the time on my phone. There were only a few minutes left in Izzy’s lesson. “I need to get my daughter.”

I walked away, a gust of wind cooling my heated cheeks. Should I have stayed? Cole hadn’t reached for me or said anything in support of our relationship. We’d just promised we’d handle this together, and I was already walking away, leaving Cole to handle Emmett on his own.

My heart was pounding, and I squeezed my hands into fists to stop myself from turning around. I didn’t have time to deal with the fallout because Izzy would be waiting for me.

I couldn’t help but wonder how Cole was going to handle it. Was he going to deny his feelings for me? Was he trying to salvage the situation so that he could stay in his cousin’s good graces?

He’d just declared his love for me and Izzy. Surely, he couldn’t turn off those feelings just as quickly?

I didn’t like the places my thoughts were leading. I needed to get Izzy and figure things out. When I reached the bunny slope, they were just finishing up. Xander was giving them a pep talk about how well they listened and that they needed to practice to get better. Just like they did with baseball, basketball, or piano lessons. Then he said he’d hope to see them at another lesson this week.

Izzy broke from the group with a big smile on her face. “I did it. I went down the bunny slope.”

“That’s amazing,” I said as I hugged her.

Izzy frowned. “Where’s Cole?”

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