Page 57 of Bad & Bossy

“Thanks, Robert,” I said, giving him a tight smile as I picked myself up off the bench. “I’m sure you will.”

Chapter 19

Cole

Isat on the plush, rarely used sofa in the great foyer, my two suitcases stacked by the door. My driver was less than ten minutes away, and then it would be another forty minutes until I was at the airport with everyone else, including Dana.

Fuck, I wanted to see her.

A key turned in the lock and I sat up, watching as the door opened. A cleaned-up version of the Bobby that had moved in with me over a month ago stepped through, his button-up shirt pristine, slacks neatly pressed. His hair hung around his shoulders, combed back and freshly washed. I was proud of him, he seemed to be doing better and better every day that I saw him, making friends and taking care of himself. I wondered if he thought I was doing the same or if he knew how badly I’d spiraled just a week ago.

“Hey, man,” Bobby said, dropping his keys on the tall, thin table by the door. “Didn’t think I’d see you before you left.”

I shrugged and stood, crossing the empty space to give him a one-armed hug. “Driver’s running behind. I feel like I haven’t seen you in days,” I laughed. “Where’ve you been, man?”

He grinned up at me. He smelled familiar, maybe he’d bought the same cologne I’d been using. “I was out in Denver for the weekend with some new friends. You should come along sometime, I think you’d like them.”

“Yeah, maybe after I get back.”

“Had a rough night a couple of nights back,” he said candidly, shrugging against my arm. “Almost fell back into it.”

That took me back a little, he’d been doing so well from what I could tell. Still, it made me feel a little better to know that I wasn’t alone in that. “I did too. You should have called me.”

“Yeah, I should have,” he said.

“We help each other,” I insisted. “Remember that. If you need me while I’m gone, you can call me.”

“Same to you, man. But you’ve got Dana, so…”

I chuckled. “Just because I’ve got something going on with Dana doesn’t mean I don’t have time for you.”

He leaned back against the little table, his grin unmatched. “But it’s going well, yeah? Between you two?”

“I think so. I guess we’ll see how the trip goes and who knows, maybe I’ll come back with something official,” I laughed. “But she’s got a kid, so I’m not hedging my bets that she’ll change her mind about not wanting a proper relationship with me right away.”

Something glinted in his eyes as his grin faded, his entire demeanor changing. “You sure you want to get involved in that? Kids are another level, man.”

I thought over his words for a moment, a little put off by the stilted nature of the conversation. Before I could dwell on it, my phone buzzed, notifying me of the arrival of my driver. “I’ve got to go,” I sighed. “But please, Bobby, don’t hesitate to reach out. And don’t forget to go to meetings while I’m gone.”

“Yeah, man. I won’t.”

————

By the time I’d arrived at the airport, nearly everyone had already boarded, leaving me to check in alone in the lobby and hand off my bags to the staff. I just wanted to see her, even if my nerves were firing overtime knowing that Drew would be there, too.

I climbed the steps up to the door of the jet and stepped through. Almost every seat inside my private jet was filled save for the section at the back that sat four, I’d opted to have Dana and I sit there in case Drew’s carry-on necessities needed extra space. The moment I locked eyes with her and the little bundle giggling in her lap, every overworked nerve had settled.

Clearing my throat, I said my hellos to the executives and managers I’d opted to have join me on my personal flight as I made my way down the aisle toward her. I didn’t give a fuck about them, didn’t care for a single one of them at that moment. I just wanted to sit down with her, meet him, and pretend no one else was there.

I almost wished I’d told them all to fly commercial. At least then I wouldn’t have to hold back around her.

The closer I got, the more at ease I began to feel, and as I finally reached the last four seats and the door to the plane shut, I couldn’t help but laugh as she took Drew’s arm in her hand and made him wave at me.

I waved back.

“Nice of you to finally show up,” she chuckled, her smirk crowding my senses as I sat down next to her.

“I’m sorry I’m late.” I glanced at the five rows of people ahead of us, making sure none were paying attention before pressing the smallest kiss against her cheek. “My driver hit traffic.”

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