Page 61 of Broken Hearts

I look down at our intertwined fingers, guilt rearing its ugly head.

She cups my cheek. “Cole, no, I’m not saying that to make you feel bad. I’m trying very hard to leave the past where it belongs, but I’m saying that for you to understand why I’m being a little more… careful with this.” She points between her and me. “I need to go slow.”

I’m thrown off, but I understand. She needs to be cautious. “Slow as in no kissing, no touching, no… sex?” I ask, my eyes involuntarily trailing down to her cardigan that reveals the swell of her large breasts. Lord have mercy if she wants that, I’ll have to take ten cold showers a day and will probably die of hypothermia within a week.

“No, not that slow. That would be a shame for both of us.”

I can’t help but grin. “Little Cole thanks you.”

“We both know there’s nothing little about him,” she teases.

“I know.”

She rolls her eyes and leans into me. “No, I’m thinking more like—not giving ourselves a label, not spending the night, not—”

“Meeting the parents,” I add, unable to hide my disappointment.

“Exactly,” she agrees.

I frown. I hate what she’s saying, every part of it. I want to sleep every night with her in my arms. I want to shout to the world that she’s mine, and I want her to meet my parents—dazzle them as she dazzled me. And I want Coach to know his daughter is mine, but what can I say? I am the one who fucked up, so even if she says she wants to leave the past in the past, I can only agree to whatever she wants until she’s ready for more.

“Fine. We’ll take it slow.”

I see how relieved she is, and I can’t help but smile. Fuck, I love this woman so much.

We lean into each other, and even though it’s not exactly how I envisioned things, it’s a start. A slow start, but a start nonetheless. She’s here with me, and that’s what counts.

“So, about that kissing...” I tease, leaning in.

Eva rolls her eyes playfully but doesn’t pull away. “You and your one-track mind.”

“Yeah, but you love it,” I reply, closing the gap between us.

As our lips meet, I know we’re on the right path. It’s a path of healing, of growing, and of loving at whatever pace she needs. And I’m here for it, every step of the way because there’s no other place for me than by her side.

Chapter 23

Eva

Taking it slow with Cole feels right, but it’s not without its challenges. I constantly wrestle with the line between guarding my heart and giving in completely. Leaving his bed after we make love is always hard. The warmth and safety of his arms are tempting, his coaxing kisses and loving words nearly breaking my resolve. But for now, I manage to stay strong.

Today, as a small gesture to our connection, I chose to wear Cole’s jersey. It’s a subtle thing, especially since it will mostly be hidden under my coat, but to me, it feels like a significant statement.

“Umm, Westbrook, huh? What happened to ‘just an acquaintance’?” Nessa teases from my doorway, grinning. Today, her long silver-and-purple hair is styled in thick braids, paired with black leather pants and a purple tank top under a black fishnet top. Her look is more grunge than goth, but her fiery spirit is unmistakable.

I try to shrug it off casually. “So what? It doesn’t mean anything. My dad wears Ronaldo’s shirt, and he’s not romantically attached to him.”

Nessa’s laughter fills the room, her eyes sparkling wickedly. “So you say… who knows?”

I can’t help but join in her laughter, even though a part of me wonders if I’m fooling myself. “What about you and Liam, huh? Just ‘friends with benefits,’ no feelings involved?”

She hesitates for a moment, her carefree facade faltering slightly. “Yeah, that’s all it is,” she replies, but her tone lacks conviction.

“I wish I could believe you,” I say, watching her closely.

Nessa shrugs, avoiding my gaze. “Poppy will join us there,” she suddenly says, switching topics. “She had a shift at Pizz-tachio.”

I turn to face her again. “Do you think I’m an idiot?” I blurt, wording my unspoken thoughts.

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