Page 43 of Restricted List

Rory

You’re just looking for an opportunity to rifle through my drawers

Cole

I’m offended, Rory

I’d never, absolutely not, no chance

Rory

Excessive denial is pretty telling when a simple no would have sufficed

But come on over

If I stay at my dad’s much longer, I’m going to go into a food coma, and I’ll need you to roll me home

Cole

I’ll meet you at your place then

See you soon

“I think I’m all set now,” Rory says as she flops onto her bed while I try to zip up her overfilled suitcase.

“I think you’re set for a month,” I laugh. “I can barely close the goddamn suitcase.”

“Oh, shush. You said you wanted to come over and help.”

“Yeah, and you put me to fucking work.”

“You sat on my suitcase and zipped it, Cole.”

“That’s hard work, you know.”

Rory pretends to pout at me. “You poor baby. How ever will you survive?”

With the suitcase now finally zipped, I lay down beside Rory on the bed, turning my head to the side to face her. “I’m here with you; I’ll be okay.”

“What does that mean?” She eyes me curiously.

“It means I like seeing you, obviously.”

“You see me literally all the time,” she smiles.

“But you’re leaving for the weekend.”

“Is that too long for you?” she teases.

“Fuck yes,” I reply emphatically. “You’re one of my favorite people, Ror. You have to know that by now.”

She tries to hide her grin, but she’s unsuccessful. “You’re one of my favorite people, too, Cole.”

My plan for coming over here was just to see her before she was gone all weekend. With Knox being a complete sap at dinner, I was aching to come see Rory.

I figured this would be like one of our regular visits—playful and fun, maybe a little bit flirty—just like usual.

But the air is shifting.

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