Page 84 of Restricted List

“Cole!” she says, her excitement all too evident. “What happened?!”

I groan as I sink back against the couch cushions. “I don’t know if you actually want me to tell you that.”

Especially considering the fact that part of what happened was me eating your best friend out in the exact spot you’re sitting in…

“I definitely don’t want details, but I want to know if I’m right.”

I sigh, unable to avoid it any longer. “We slept together.”

“Fucking finally!” she shouts.

“Oh my God, don’t be weird, Lo.”

“Shut up.” She rolls her eyes. “You already know I like the idea of you two together.”

“We’re… not together, though. She told me it was one night.”

I’m just going to gloss over the night of her birthday.

“Bullshit,” Harlow bites. “She doesn’t mean that.”

“Considering we aren’t together, I’d say she did.”

Her face softens completely, leaving her with the sweet look that always got her out of trouble with our parents.

“You want to be together with her?” she smiles.

“Honestly,” I sigh, “I do. I’m fucking crazy about her.”

“So what are you going to do then?”

“I’m going to talk to her Friday after the rehearsal dinner.”

She claps a hand on my shoulder, and I give her a curious look. “Best of luck, bro.”

I can’t help but laugh. “You’re so fucking weird, Lo.”

“And I’m still the best sister ever.”

“You’re my only sister ever.”

“Semantics.”

twenty-six

Cole

“There she is,” Isay as I find Rory outside the Grand Ballroom of the Plaza Hotel.

We all checked into our rooms last night, so we were around to help Josh and Ella with anything throughout the day today. We spent a lot of time putting together welcome bags for all of the guests checking in tonight before the wedding tomorrow.

Because of that, Rory and I have spent a lot of time together today, but not without everyone else around us. This is the first time I’ve seen her alone since her birthday a week ago.

“Hey, Sparrow,” she smiles, lighting up the dim hallway.

I spot the rest of our friends walking over to join us in the hall as we prepare for the wedding rehearsal, but that doesn’t stop me from getting close to Rory. It’s not like they don’t know what we did anyway.

“I’ve missed you,” I whisper. “I’ve barely seen you this month.”

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