Page 56 of Stay

“I’m not putting onions on my feet. That’s gross.”

“You will do what you’re told, Angel.” He finds my sock drawer and pulls out a pair. “Drink your tea.”

Pouting, I cross my arms, ignoring how crappy I feel. “Tell me your good news first.”

Cole’s expression warms. Sitting on the side of the bed, he rests my feet on his lap and massages them. “I worked on a design concept for a new building. It’s a Marine Life conservation center. They’ll save turtles, coral, and other sea life around Banner Bay.”

“That’s amazing.”

He shakes his head, ducking to hide his pride. Cole never brags about his accomplishments. Not even when he had the highest points scored senior year. His humbleness is adorable. “All my concepts are unconventional. It’s held me back.” His gaze lifts and deadlocks on mine. “Until today.”

My heart stumbles to a stop. “You got it?”

The smile on his face is so huge, it blows me over. “They took one look at my concept and chose me without even looking at the others.”

“That’s amazing!” Excitement surges through me, and I bolt forward to wrap my arms around him. “I’m so proud of you.”

He squeezes me back. “Thanks.”

“This is huge. We have to celebrate.” I’ve definitely gotten a second wind. To hell with this cold trying to whoop me. “Let’s go somewhere.”

“Whoa, whoa, not tonight, Angel.” He presses my chest, forcing me to lie back down. “We’ll go out once you’re feeling better.”

“I feel great.”

“Well, your cheeks are flushed, and your eyes are a little glassy.”

“It’s my love for you shining out of my face.”

He cracks a loud laugh. “I appreciate that, but you’re not going anywhere tonight.”

“It’s a cold, Cole. Not the plague.”

“Well, let’s ensure it doesn’t turn into something worse.” He grabs my foot and starts massaging again. “You’re going to listen and do what you’re told, or those nine free-use days I got? I’ll never use them.”

My mouth drops. “You’re a cruel, cruel man.”

“Cold-hearted to the core,” he confirms, rubbing my feet harder. “You should trade me in for someone nicer.”

“I’m considering it.” Leaning back on my pillows, I sigh. His hands are so big and warm. This foot massage feels incredible. “I’m really proud of you, Cole. You deserve all the good things in life.”

He keeps his head down. “So do you.”

That hits a little harder than it should. Cole means what he says. And maybe my parents did too, but my man says it from a place of love, while my mom and dad said those same words from a place of jealousy. I stuff the ugly memories back in their box where they belong. I’m never letting the shadows of my past darken any part of my bright future with Cole.

“You’ve been working too hard, Angel. I know you want to build your business, but you better slow down.”

He’s right. I’m being impatient, as usual, and busting my ass double time to advertise and network as much as I can. Between hustling at work and spending every spare second I can with Cole, I’m exhausted.

Wouldn’t change it for the world, though.

“Everything’s set for your party. You’re going to love it.”

“I know I will.” He gestures at the mug on the table. “Drink that.”

Grabbing the steamy mug, I try to smell what kind of tea it is. Fumes hit my sinuses and I cough. “What is this?”

“Hot toddy.” He takes a disk of sliced onion and… is that plastic wrap? “Hold still.” Cole gently places the onion against the sole of my foot and wraps it in saran wrap.

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