Page 68 of Enemies, Lovers & A Valentine's Baby

Maybe I wouldn’t have spent all those nights beating myself up over the things you said. Maybe I wouldn’t have spent all these years hating you so much.

Cole flinches, his jaw tightening as he listens. “I wanted to, Lila,” he says after a long pause, his voice barely audible. “I really did. But Greg mentioned how he and Sue both tried to talk to you multiple times, but you threatened to never talk to them again if they ever brought up my name,” he says. “After a while I didn’t think it would matter. I saw it in your eyes, every time you looked at me. The judgment, the hatred. I knew what you thought of me, and I didn’t think there was anything I could do to change that. Not after so much time had passed. It felt…too late.”

He exhales, the sound heavy, resigned. “As crazy as it sounds, I was happy that Sue asked me to work with you. I hoped it would only be a matter of time until I could get an opening to give you the kind of apology you deserve. It may already be too late,” Cole says, his voice soft, almost hesitant. “But I’m glad to finally say it. I’ve carried those words around for years, and it’s a relief to get them off my chest.”

I sit back, the tension in my body refusing to ease even as the words sink in. Too late. He thought it was too late to apologize. And maybe he’s right, but hearing him now, seeing the way hisregret weighs on him—it stirs something inside me I don’t know how to name.

“The truth is, I’ve watched you for years, Lila. I’ve seen your strength, your resilience. Every event you’ve planned, every single one—has blown me away. I’m sorry that I ever made you feel like you were not good at your job. For what it’s worth, I think you’re amazing.”

The sincerity in his voice wraps around me, pulling down my defenses before I can stop it. My heart melts into a puddle. Tears sting the backs of my eyes, and my throat tightens painfully.

I want to respond, to let him know how much his words mean to me, but I’m afraid if I open my mouth, I’ll fall apart. So I nod, swallowing the lump in my throat and forcing a shaky smile. “It’s worth a lot. Thank you for saying that.”

My voice is barely above a whisper, and I blink rapidly, willing the tears to stay put. I’m not about to cry in front of Cole Matthews, no matter how raw and intense this moment feels.

He nods in return, his gaze flicking to the empty wine bottle between us. “How about I grab us another bottle?” he says, his voice quiet, almost reflective.

His eyes glint with an emotion I can’t quite name as he stands, lingering for just a second before disappearing through the door. I watch him go, the sound of his footsteps fading into the silence he’s left behind.

And in the stillness, I let out the breath I didn’t realize I was holding.

Chapter 27

Confessions

Cole

I walk off into the cellar, my body slumping against the door the moment it’s closed. A huge gust of air whooshes out of my lungs, the rhythmic thumping of my heart sending waves through me.

I told her. I finally told her everything. The relief that washed over me as I saw her eyes soften was more intense than anything I could’ve imagined. My only regret is that I didn’t do it sooner. Maybe the last eight years could’ve been completely different for both of us.

Now that we’ve taken the first step, maybe there’s hope for us yet. With a renewed burst of energy, I push myself off the wall, grabbing the finest bottle of wine I can find.

“This is another bottle I’ve been saving for a special occasion,” I say as I stroll casually to where she’s curled up on the couch. She lifts her head up to look at me, and once again I’m stopped dead in my tracks. How is she so beautiful?

“I think after all my confessions tonight, that counts as a special occasion.” I smile, watching her own eyes light up with a smile of her own. I set the bottle down, picking up the blanket folded on the side of the couch. Then I gently spread it over her, tucking in the edges to keep her warm.

“There you go. Can’t have you catching a cold and getting sick on me,” I grin, finally plopping down on the couch beside her.

“Thank you,” she whispers, rosy cheeks beaming at me.

I find myself thinking that I’d do anything to see her smile at me like that.

“Enough about me though. What about you? You’ve always struck me as the type of woman who was in love with the idea of love. There’s no way that someone who loves to create magical weddings and anniversary events as much as you couldn’t be,” I say, taking a sip of wine.

“You’re right,” she says, taking a sip of hers. “I do love the idea of love. My parents taught me that. They’ve been happily married for over forty years. But, I was also burned by it,” she smiles sadly. “Like you, I was engaged before, but he was a cheating piece of shit too, so…yeah,” she trails off awkwardly.

“I had no idea. I’m so sorry,” I say, but she just chuckles, waving me off.

“Oh, don’t be. It happened...right before yours actually,” she shrugs.

“So why’d you give up? You sound like the type of woman who would want a family. A husband, beautiful little kids running around the house.” She winces, eyes suddenly trained on wiping an invisible speck off her wrist.

“For a man who’s barely had a conversation with me in eight years, you sure seem to think you know me,” she responds frostily. I flinch, taken aback by her sharp response. Did I say something wrong?

“I’m sorry. I wasn’t trying to—”

“No, no. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to snap at you like that. It’s just…it’s a touchy subject for me,” she mutters, her eyes unable to meet mine.

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