Page 66 of Enemies, Lovers & A Valentine's Baby

“I’m not trying to get you drunk. I’m just trying to get you to share an incredibly expensive bottle of wine with me.” I shrug like it’s the easiest thing in the world to understand, and she just laughs softly.

“This is you trying to convince me to drink?”

“I hope it’s good enough to get you to say yes to one glass,” I plead, flashing her my best puppy dog expression.

“Just one drink?” she asks skeptically.

“One drink, and we can call it a night.”

“I guess I could have some vintage wine, not like I need to worry about getting home anytime soon,” she says, gesturing to the window where we can barely see through the snowstorm picking up speed outside.

“I'll be right back.”

Chapter 26

Apologies

Lila

“Hope you like it,” Cole says, plopping down beside me on the couch. I take the glass of red wine he offers me, downing its contents in one gulp.

“Whoa. Slow down there, cowgirl,” he chuckles.

“Sorry. I’ve never been much of a drinker, and the wine relaxes me when I have a lot on my mind,” I trail off, looking away from him.

“Let me guess. You’re regretting the decision to come out tonight?” he asks, his forehead creasing. I wish I could say I was, but the truth is I don’t.

“I just meant, um—” I struggle to articulate my thoughts. It’s hard to stay focused when he watches me with those unnerving eyes.

“Actually, I don’t regret any part of tonight. It ended up being fun,” I say, opting to just keep it simple.

“For me too. You know, tonight was the first time in years that I’ve truly enjoyed the company of a wom…it was a good night for me too,” Cole finishes softly. I stare into his gleaming eyes, suddenly drawn to him with a force that threatens to steal the breath right out of my lungs.

“You know, Sue and Greg always mentioned that there’s more to you than meets the eye. Tell me about you,” I say, the alcohol making me feel bold. “I’d really like to know the real Cole Matthews.”

“You don’t really want to know the kind of man I am, or what made me that way.”

He looks away from me, an unreadable expression on his face.

I sit quietly, unsure of what else to say. The Cole Matthews I’ve known in the loosest sense of the word for eight years has always been a villain. Yet now he sounds almost vulnerable. Like a man who’s been hurt before. I can’t picture anyone ever being able to hurt Cole. It’s hard to picture a man like that ever having gone through any pain himself. I always figured he was the one inflicting the pain, but I’m not so sure anymore.

“I’m sorry. It’s really not my place,” I say when the silence persists.

“Don’t be. Plus, you deserve an answer. It’s the least I can do,” he says.

“If you’re sure,” I say softly.

“I guess now is as good a time as any.” He laughs humorlessly, downing his glass of wine and pouring himself another, which he proceeds to gulp down too.

“Look, I know what you think of me. You’ve done a good job pretending to get along with me this last month we’ve been working together,” he says. “It’s no secret how you feel about me. I know deep down you hate me, and I can’t say I blame you.”

“Cole, I—I don’t—”

“No, it’s okay. You don’t have to feel bad about it because you’re right to do so. I deserve it. There’s no forgiving what I did to you eight years ago. I’ve never truly apologized, Lila. Not it the way that I should. You know, apologies have always been something I’ve struggled with, and when you grow up the way I did...”

He doesn’t finish the sentence, but the weight of his words hangs heavy in the air.

“Growing up the way you did? What do you mean?” I ask, my throat tightening.

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