“Hi Charlotte. How are you, gorgeous?”
“Good. Fank you.” She yawned and rested her head back against the chair. Had Cole and his guest kept her awake last night? “You taking Cole to work?”
It was cute that she called him Cole, but he was still a stranger to her and hadn’t earned any other name like Daddy.
“Yes. We go on tour soon.” I picked up a piece of dropped crust off the floor and placed it on the table out of reach. “Are you ready to go on a big vacation?”
She shot her peanut butter-covered hands up in the air. “Yeah.”
“How about you, Hannah? Are you ready for the endless weeks of bus travel and quick hotel stops?”
“Yes. I can go anywhere with my trusty pillow and a heat pack. I’m looking forward to it.” She came over and took a seat at the table. “But can I be honest with you?”
I dipped my chin. “Always.”
“I’m worried about Cole, dear.” She wasn’t the only one. “He runs, then rehearses, then goes out, then brings girls home. He doesn’t stop.”
I knew—I shadowed him nearly every second of the day. But hey, the guy was young and having fun. “He’s enjoying being single.”
“Yes. But. . .” Concern threaded through Hannah’s tone. “It’s something more than that. Don’t you see it in his eyes?”
My heart lurched. Old knots in my stomach tightened. I did. I’d been there. The stressful mix of high-pressure work and looking after a child was never balanced. I’d pushed myself to do everything, but it had never been enough. Not facing my problems had only created more.
“Hannah, I can’t get involved. If you have concerns maybe you should talk to his friends or Blake.” Cole had medical staff, nutritionists, therapists, and friends at his fingertips. Help was available.
“Yes. I’m sorry.” She stirred her cup of tea with a spoon, tapped it against the rim, then placed it on the saucer. “It’s not just about his work; it’s about Charlotte.” The shake in her hand intensified as worry swam through her eyes. “I’ve kept my mouth shut, trying not to interfere with Cole’s life, but maybe it’s high time I did.”
I liked Hannah. She was a fiery spirit indeed.
“I think he needs that. But right now, I’ve got to get his ass to rehearsal.”
I walked over to the staircase, stood at the bottom, and called out, “Cole? Time to go.”
The door to his room flew open. Dressed in dark jeans and a tight black T-shirt, he staggered downstairs. Lola tiptoed behind him wearing nothing but her skimpy bra and panties, clutching her shoes, dress, and clutch against her chest.
I sidestepped closer to the door to give them space.
“I’m sorry, Lola.” Cole reached the bottom of the steps and turned to her. “I hate having to ask you to leave, but I’ve gotta go.”
She rested one hand on his shoulder for balance and slipped on her stilettos. “Can’t we have a coffee first?”
“Your Uber will be here in a sec. Maybe next time.” Exhaustion swung through Cole’s tired voice as he lowered her hand off his shoulder.
You wouldn’t be like that if you took a break and got some sleep. Fool.
“It’s okay.” Lola shimmied toward him and fluttered her eyelashes. “There will definitely be a next time when I’m back in LA.”
I rolled my eyes. I stood, feet shoulder-width apart, waiting for my client to get his ass into gear.
Lola handed Cole her clutch. She slipped her skimpy dress over her head and wiggled it into place over her hips.
Cole seemed to drink every inch of her body in. Even I could appreciate her hot figure.
“You have my number.” Cole gave her purse back. “See you next time.”
She giggled and kissed his lips. “I’ll be in Europe for a few months. Might see you somewhere during your tour.”
“I’d like that.”