Page 80 of (Un)Expected

“Georgia’s Treasures?”

Cole laughed. “That’s the one. In the window, they had thisnecklace, and it made me think of you.” He hesitated for a moment before he placed the box in my hand.

I cracked the lid open, taking in the delicate gold chain and the pendant settled in the middle. I ran my fingers along the design: a simple gold circle with intersecting lines.

“It’s beautiful,” I whispered, taking in the small diamonds in each of the crossings before closing the lid. “Cole, I can’t accept it. It’s too much.”

He pushed the box back, taking my other hand and placing it on top of his. “It’s not. Please, Alex. I want you to have it.”

“Thank you.” I smiled softly at him. “I love it. Will you put in on me?”

“Oh,” He sighed. “You don’t have to. You’re already dressed, and I don’t want to piss off the team.”

Without another word, I turned around, gathering my hair to the side so Cole could put the chain around my neck. He paused, looking down at the jewels on the dressing table. It made me want to laugh—none of those held a candle to his gift, not when he picked it out for me.

“Please,” I whispered and he pulled the necklace from the box. As it laid against my skin, I pressed my fingers against the pendant, finally making sense of the shape. “A compass?”

Cole nodded, his fingers grazing the curve of my neck, sending shocks skittering across my skin.“It’s how I see you, Alex. You led me back into the world, gave me a second shot at life.” His eyes met mine in the mirror. “And I’ll never be able to thank you enough for that. You saved me, Alex.”

His words broke the last shred ofdoubt in my mind.

I loved him.

There was no question, no fear. I loved this man down to my very soul.

Despite our rocky beginning, Cole had become so much more than I could have imagined. Over the past months, he’d become my friend, my confidant, and it wasn’t enough. I wanted him in a way I’d never wanted anyone before.

“Cole, I?—”

A succession of swift knocks cut me off, and Adam popped his head into the room. “Are you ready to go?”

I smiled tightly, taking Cole’s hand in mine for a moment. He had to know how much he meant to me. My words would have to wait.

My red-stained lips curved into an artificial smile. “Let’s head out.”

When I usedto see pictures of industry parties filled with A-list actors and mega-producers, I was always jealous, dying to be a fly on the wall.

However, now that I was the one in the room, I only felt…bored. Between the never-ending photographs and ass-kissing conversations, this night was nothing like I’d imagined. Sure, it’d been amazing to see some of my favorite actors, but I’d trade this for a night on the lake in a heartbeat.

The silver lining was that I didn’t need to worry about Nate. Adam had ensured his name was not on any of the lists, with explicit instructions to call the police if he tried to enter. Knowing that Nate would never risk his reputation with a public scene was enough for me to let my guard down.

I leaned against the metal rail separating the club's two floors, watching the party unfold around me. Adam was the center of attention, many of the power players trying to get him to commit to his next project. I’d have to ask him about that as well. The last time wespoke, he was mulling over five different scripts. Nothing was speaking to him, though.

Not far behind him were Theo and Cole, locked in a tense conversation. I still couldn’t believe Cole had agreed to come tonight. He looked up, almost immediately finding me in the crowd, and when Theo turned to talk to someone, he stealthily winked, making every part of me clench in anticipation.

God, I needed him inside me. All the build-up had been driving me insane.

“Alex!” a high-pitched voice came from behind me. Before I could even turn around, I was wrapped up in a tight hug. It took me a moment to realize it was Everly, her words slightly slurred. “I am so happy to see you!” she yelled over the pulsating music. “That hotel has been the most boring place since you left.”

“I’ve only been gone a couple of days,” I chuckled, holding her arms as she swayed.

From below, Cole frowned, arching his brow in question. I rolled my eyes teasingly before I gave him a soft smile to let him know I was okay. Even without any Nate sightings, he’d been watching me like a hawk. I had to draw the line at walking me to the bathroom—andnotto fool around inside.Buzzkill.

Everly let out a loud laugh. “I know, butstill. We only have a couple of weeks left to film, and I wanted to hang out more. Please tell me we can have another wine night before I go.”

“You got it,” I chuckled, leading her toward the leather chaises tucked in the far corner. “Do you want some water?”

She shook her head. “I’m okay. I didn’t even drink that much, but my head feels like it’s a balloon.” She fumbled her phone from her purse, pulling up her messages. “I’m just going to text my driver and have him pick me up. I need my bed and a burrito the size of my face.”

---