Page 4 of Enemies, Lovers & A Valentine's Baby

The last thing I remember is those tears that I tried so hard to hold in finally breaking through and rolling down my cheeks as my legs give way and I drop to the floor.

Chapter 1

Shattered Truths

Cole

“I need everything to go perfectly, Sam, you know? I just really want to do something special for her. She deserves it,” I say into the phone at my ear, scrambling to gather up the things I’m taking with me.

“One, two—where’s the third one?” I panic, instantly looking around my disordered living room for the third gift box I’d had custom made for my fiancée.

“Don’t worry, Cole. Everything is going to go exactly as planned. In fact, it’ll be even better than you think. I can just imagine the expression on her face when she sees everything,” Sam giggles gleefully.

My heart hasn’t stopped racing since I began this process, but Sam’s words soothe me. Calmness flows through my entire body for the first time today.

“Don’t worry. I’m here, making sure everything is in place. Now get your ass over here and make your woman feel special,” she says.

I can almost see her jumping up and down in excitement at the plan we’re putting into place.

“Roger that,” I grin, and then hang up.

Damn. I hadn’t been this tense even when I proposed to her. I straighten my shoulders, wiping my clammy hands on my thighs and adjusting my collar.

Two years ago I bumped into this sexy blonde at the Pike Place Starbucks as I rushed in to get my caffeine fix to keep me sane in the crazy Seattle traffic. I was surprised when she asked for my number. I wasn't used to women making the first move, and we instantly hit it off.

I didn’t know then that she would become the most important thing in my life.

She’s given me everything I could’ve ever asked for. The love I always needed, and now, the family I’ve always wanted too.

Lydia and I have been engaged for five months now, and two months ago, she gave me yet another beautiful surprise. She’s pregnant.

I always worried how I would react when the time finally came to be a father, but there was nothing to worry about. I couldn’t have been any happier to hear the news.

I smile remembering her squeals as I lifted her high into the air and twirled her around. I’d never felt joy like that before.

She was perfect, and in that moment, I realized that with her, I could be too.

Two years ago, I was just another guy working an entry level job at an advertising firm in downtown Seattle. There wasnothing special about me. Then I met her, and today I have a beautiful fiancée and a baby on the way.

Life has a way of coming at you fast, and I couldn’t be happier.

She’s given me so much, in so little time. Today, I want to give back a little bit of that love. She deserves it. She deserves the world, but this is a good starting point.

With the help of her co-worker, Sam, I’m going to surprise Lydia with an elaborate romantic gesture at work. This pushes me way out of my comfort zone, but if it’ll put a smile on her face, then I’ll do anything.

My living room is a mess from putting together the gift boxes, but I don’t even care. I glance around the clutter, making sure that I haven’t left anything behind. Then, I grab the large bouquet of red roses—the largest I’ve ever seen—along with the three gift boxes I have for her, her favorite perfume, J’adore, matching earrings, and necklace and head out the door.

Lydia’s office complex is just a few minutes away. I spend the entire ride there reminding myself why I’m doing this. I’m not a fan of grand romantic gestures and public displays of affection, but Lydia is. So here I am.

“It’ll all be worth it, if it puts a smile on her face,” I console myself as I walk up to the office. She shares a desk with Sam, my accomplice.

“Oh my gosh!” Sam coos, hand flying to her mouth as soon as she sees the bouquet of roses in my hand.

“These are so beautiful! She’s going to love them,” Sam beams, clearing out a spot on the table for me to place the boxes. I can feel every other eye in her office curiously peering at me as I walk to her table, but I ignore it.

I smile proudly at Sam, but my brows furrow slightly.

Lydia is nowhere in sight.

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