Page 40 of Stay

“Promise me something?” She looks up at me. Damn, she’s so beautiful. “Promise me you’ll keep trying. Someone out there will appreciate your vision, Cole. You’re such a talented architect.” She playfully shrugs her shoulders. “I mean, I only hire the best to work with, and I hired you soooo, clearly, you’re the greatest architect in the whole wide world. I’d settle for nothing less.”

I’m not telling Haley I’m designing her office for free. She wouldn’t like the handout. But she’s not listed in our database, and I didn’t have her sign a contract.

She’s right. I just have to keep my head high and try harder to climb the ranks of success. I should be grateful I got the job I have, and I really love my work. I just wish more clients liked my concepts. They don’t even give feedback on what they hate about them.

This past year was the hardest yet. Three potential builders all shot my designs down. Noah said to not take it personally, but that’s easier said than done. Each time, someone else in the company got the job instead. I mean, hey, good for them, man. That’s great. But it still hurts my pride. Their concepts were basic and lazy, in my opinion. If you’re going to build something, make it fucking amazing.

I’ve been working with smaller clients this year, and also my brother Trey when he needs me, just so I can feel less of a failure. I guess my talents are in revamping existing floor plans, not erecting something out of nothing. One has my heart. The other has my soul.

“Your ideas for the company party look phenomenal,” I say, bringing the focus back to her. “I can’t wait to see it come to life.”

Haley’s expression softens. “Trust me. I’m going to blow this out of the park.”

“Damn straight you will. I only hire the best.”

“Touché.” She drags me down for another kiss and blood rushes to my dick. Then her stomach growls. Loudly.

“Damn girl, you got a goblin in there or what?”

“Ugh, I’ve been running ragged all day. I kept meaning to stop and eat and never did.”

Then she came home with me.

“What do you want?” I pull her into my kitchen and open the fridge. “I can make spaghetti, Alfredo, some lemony parmesan cream sauce?” Basically, all I have that’s quick to make is pasta.

“No, it’s fine. I really should get going.”

It’s not fine and I don’t want her to go. “You sure you can’t stay for a little while longer? I can order food to be delivered, or we can go out someplace.”

“Cole.” She sighs. “I’m not running.”

“I know.”

Do I though?

I’m starting to think that’s why I just got too clingy for my own fucking good. All this week we haven’t seen each other, but her texts come through like little blips of hope, and part of me fears this is all just temporary and something will make her disappear again.

Shit. “I’m turning into a level five clinger, aren’t I?”

“No.” Haley giggles, tossing her hair and batting her lashes at me. “You’re just obsessed with me.”

She’s not wrong. “Can you blame me?”

My girl’s playfulness vanishes. “I get it,” she says, softly. “It seems too good to be true. Us, I mean. We’re too good to be true. For us to pick up instantly where we left off seems surreal.”

I nod, my throat tightening.

Haley cautiously laces her fingers with mine. “Come home with me. I want to show you something.”

Chapter 13

Haley

I don’t think I realized how badly I hurt Cole, leaving him all those years ago. I was so scared and heartbroken back then, my survival instincts kicked in and I took off. The end. But seeing Cole’s reaction when I said I had to leave his condo struck a chord. Even his comment about maybe he should have put a short leash on me all along so I couldn’t run away really hits home. He said we should start over with a clean slate, but that can’t happen. Too much still hangs in the air above us.

I’ll do anything to prove my intentions to him and make us right.

If he asked me to marry him today, I’d say yes.

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