Page 57 of Enemies, Lovers & A Valentine's Baby

Soon, our meals arrive, and Cole’s eyes light up in appreciation at the golden crust of the chicken pot pie.

He looks at me in appreciation. “How did you know chicken pot pie is my favorite comfort food?” he asks incredulously. I look at him in suspicion, wondering if he’s just messing with me. “No, seriously,” he continues as if reading my thoughts. He picks up the plate and take a big whiff of the buttery, flaky crust, eyes closed in ecstasy. “Growing up this was always my favorite food. It’s been years since I’ve had it.”

I imagine pot pie is not the typical food a billionaire gets served. I find myself wanting to know more about his childhood but resist the urge to ask.

We both dig in at the same time. My stomach growls as my spoon breaks through the flaky crust and dips into the savory filling. I guess I was hungrier than I thought.

I moan in appreciation at the first bite as the buttery crust and sauce blend in perfect harmony on my tongue. “Some things never change. Somehow, she nails that taste every single time,” I mutter through a mouthful of food.

Cole chuckles, but just as he is about to say something his phone starts to ring.

“Excuse me,” he mutters, pulling it out of his pocket. “Greg, hey, bud?” he says into the phone and pauses to listen. “Yeah, I still have the files. Do you need me to send them to you?” he continues into the phone. I freeze, my hand halfway to my mouth.

Just like that, I’m reminded of the reason we’re doing this in the first place. As much as I hate to admit it, I’ve found myself starting to think of us less as enemies, and more as partners in this event. We’ve been working on the gala together for weeks now, and even though I would never admit it to him, his input has been incredibly insightful. He’s never tried to take over and make me feel like I don’t know what I’m doing. Even though I know that he could have easily passed this on to his team, I find it endearing that he’s been involved every step of the way. It’s made me lower my guard around him to see him genuinely wanting to make sure that this event goes smoothly.

It wouldn’t have been easy; in fact, it would have been impossible to pull this off without his help.

But this doesn’t change anything. I can’t lose sight of why I’m really doing this. Sue and the baby. I need to refocus.

I asked her to put her trust in me. I told her I’d find a way to get her the information she needs, and it’s seated right across from me right now. I just need to figure out how to coax that information out of him.

“Alright, man, later,” Cole says, finally setting the phone down.

“Sorry. That was Greg,” he says, taking a sip of water.

“How’s he doing?” I ask innocently, taking a sip of my own drink.

“He’s great. We’ve both been so busy, I haven’t seen him in a while, but he’s good.”

“Mm-hmm. Sue was so upset when he had to stay back in Denver while she came home on their last trip. Those two, they always have to be together,” I chuckle softly, studying his face closely.

“Yeah. It’s cute actually. Greg and I were college roommates. The minute we met, we clicked instantly. He was definitely a ladies’ man, but all that changed the second he met Sue. He’d left Seattle for a job in Boston, and I remember when he called me after their first date and told me he’d met his future wife. I remember joking with him that he’d just had too much to drink, but he was convinced.” He pauses, shaking his head with a wistful smile on his face. “I never once saw Greg so in love with anyone as he was with Sue. His literal world revolved around her. I remember being worried about what would happen to him if they ever broke up. It would have destroyed him. I could only hope she loved him half as much as he loved her,” he says softly. “Makes me feel good to see my best friend so happy. Seeing those two together can almost make you believe that kind of love can still exist.” There’s almost a wistful quality to his voice.

My heart melts at his words, understanding perfectly. I find myself reflecting on everything he just said. This is exactly in line with how I’ve always thought about the way Greg feels aboutSue. I can tell he thinks very highly of Sue as well. Would he really say all this if Greg were cheating on her?

Is he just saying this to protect his friend?

Cole Matthews is a lot of things, but for some reason, I feel confident that he’s not a liar. If he’s saying these things, then he really does believe it. I just need to find a way to prove it to Sue, and to myself too.

“Because of those two, I’m reminded that even in this messed up world, there are still people who love selflessly. That’s good for people like you who still hope to find it,” he smirks at me.

I roll my eyes. “Not for you though?” I say.

“Nope. Definitely not for me.”

“Why? Do you have something against the idea of love?” I ask softly.

“The idea of love is very different from the reality in my experience. Sue’s the exception to most women. Most women are liars and manipulators and are only interested in taking. They’ll make you think they’re in love, but one day you get a dose of reality, and realize that the last few years have been nothing but lies, and the future you thought was in front of you is just a mirage.” His voice is laced with something that’s a cross between anger and pain.

His face tenses for a few seconds, then it’s gone in an instant, making me question if it even happened.

He clears his throat, gaze focused on a spot directly behind me.

It’s the first time that Cole and I have had a conversation that wasn’t about the gala. It’s the first time I’ve actually heard him…speak. Really speak, and it’s conflicting with the picture I’d painted in my head of this narcissistic jerk who only knew how to hurt people. No, this is something different.

This is a different man from the one I interacted with eight years ago—or at least a different side of him.

He almost sounds…hurt. But I know better. There’s no way anyone could’ve hurt Cole. Cold, aloof, arrogant. I can’t picture a man like that in love.

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