Page 93 of (Un)Expected

We’d spoken a little about him staying, but nothing was concrete. I didn’t want to push, needing him to make this choice for himself. I wanted him here, with me. However, after years of desperately trying to prove that I was enough, I needed to pivot my actions. For the first time, I wanted someone to pick me, to choose me, and not because it was convenient, not because there weren’t any other options.

Because my love was enough.

I stared out the window, taking in the early morning rays across the lake. There was a brisk chill in the air, a sure sign that winter was on its way. I took a sip of my coffee, letting the warmth settle my aching heart. All this indecision was driving me crazy. Did Cole not hear the ticking clock over our heads, signaling the end of the quiet bubble we’d built together?

What if he didn’t care? What if this was all temporary to him?

No. I refused to let that part of my brain have the power. I’d always struggle with intrusive thoughts, but I didn’t have to give in to my doubts. I knew Cole loved me—he proved it every single day.

As if I’d summoned him with my thoughts, Cole came up behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist as he pressed his lips to my neck. “What’s on your mind, sweetheart?”

The truth sat on the edge of my tongue, begging for me to come clean. Instead, I gave him a tight smile. “Wondering when we’ll get snow. The first time is always the most beautiful.”

“Hmm…” he said, reaching down to take a sip of my coffee. “Gotta say, I’m looking forward to that. I’ve never really seen snow.”

“What?” I turned so abruptly, my coffee almost spilled down the front of my shirt.

“Yeah,” Cole shrugged. “Not a lot of snow in Texas or California. I’m kind of excited to see it. Not the shoveling part, though. We’re going to have to get a plow or some shit to take care of your driveway. That’s gotta be a bitch?—”

“Hold on!” I snapped, stepping out of his hold. “You’re skipping over some important information here, Campbell.” I looked up at him, my eyes already starting to water. “You’re staying?”

Cole’s face furrowed as he stepped closer. “Of course I am, Alex.”He shook his head. “I told you that I’m all in.” He reached up, cupping my cheek with his hand. “I want to stay here, Alex, with you. I want us to live in this house and build a crazy life together. I want to spend every day showing you how much I love you, and how much your love means to me. So if you’re good with it, sweetheart, I’m here, for as long as you’ll let me.”

Now the tears were freely flowing, my emotions unable to hold back. It was like a weight I didn’t even know I’d been clutching was lifted from my arms, allowing me peace for the first time in weeks.

“What about Adam?” I asked. “What about Dani? Your life is in LA. I can’t ask you to drop everything and move out here just for me.”

“I already talked to Adam,” Cole said. “He knew this was coming. Honestly, he knew before I even told him. We’re always going to be best friends; distance isn’t going to change that. Besides, he’s thinking about making some changes as well.”

“Changes?”

“Later,” Cole promised. “As for Dani, she told me I’d be a fucking idiot if I left. She’d drag my ass back here if I tried. We’re still going to talk, and she’ll always be a part of my life, but I’ve been going to meetings in town for the past couple of weeks, and I’m going to find a sponsor a little closer to home.”

“Are you sure about this? I don’t want you to regret?—”

“Woman, stop asking questions and let me kiss you.”

I smiled happily up at him, wrapping my arms around his neck to bring his lips to mine. “Yes,” I mumbled against him. “I want you here—every day. I want to fall asleep with you and wake up in your arms. I can’t wait to build a crazy, beautiful life with you, Cole Campbell.”

“Alexandria,”Diane called from the other side of my desk. “I need to see you in my office.”

“Is it urgent?” I asked, frowning at my computer screen. “Mr. and Mrs. Martinez wanted me to book–”

“Yes. Get in there. Now.”

I sighed, tempted to smack my head on the computerscreen. Fuck my life—so much for my fantastic morning. After Cole told me his plans, we spent a couple of hours celebrating in my bed, and then in the shower immediately after. I was almost twenty minutes late to work, but it was worth it. Besides, my days here were numbered. Even if Diane decided to unleash her wrath, it was only a matter of time until I didn’t have to deal with her anymore.

Every day, I waited with bated breath, hoping to hear back about the Fox Creek Lodge. As far as I knew, everything was in order. The loan had been approved, the owner willing to accept my low-ball offer. Everything seemed to be going my way, which was making me anxious for the other shoe to drop.

With everything else going on in my life, I had almost forgotten about Diane. Between my fake relationship, myrealrelationship, and trying to navigate owning my own business, my mind was completely preoccupied.

I let out a weary sigh before moving from behind my desk, following my boss to her office on the other side of the lobby. As soon as the door opened, my brow furrowed, finding Calla already waiting inside. I glanced at her, arching my brow to see if she knew what was going on. She shrugged her shoulders, as in the dark as I was, apparently. Diane didn’t even acknowledge her daughter as she walked inside and made her way over to her desk.

“Please, take a seat,” Diane said as she steepled her hands on the surface of her desk. “I wanted to speak to both of you at the same time so there was no confusion.”

“About what?” Calla said, her voice already on edge.

Diane gave her a tight smile and then pulled out a file from her drawer, dropping it in front of me. It looked like nothing special, just a regular file folder stuffed with papers. She pushed it closer toward me, and I cautiously took it, lifting the cover to see a picture of the Fox Creek lodge. My heart dropped down to my toes. I scanned through the rest of my papers, finding a copy of my offer and details on my bank loan. I shook my head, trying to wake up from this nightmare.

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