Page 8 of The Depraved Prince
I open my mouth, but Cole cuts in and opens the door to the breakroom loudly.
“If he comes back to the shop, we will refuse service,” Cole says as he walks into the break room and sits down next to me. He kisses me on the cheek as he settles in, making me smile.
Cole is everything I could ever want in a boyfriend, but we’re just friends. He’s handsome, sweet, caring, protective, and intelligent. He’s currently in medical school studying to be a surgeon when he’s not bossing us around as our supervisor. He plans to work only for a few more months before starting his residency.
“You can’t do that. He hasn’t done anything.” I knock his shoulder with mine playfully.
He’s being overprotective.
“I’m sure he won’t come back. I’ll call the police if he does,” Cole says as he takes a bite of his chicken wrap. Leah stands up and leaves the room, forcing me to be alone with him. She knows Cole wants to be more than friends, and she’s rooting for him.
I take the last bite of my sandwich, then turn to my left and catch Cole watching me like he always does. The way he’s looking at me is the same way he did that one day on Thanksgiving.
A Thanksgiving neither of us will forget.
I clear my throat, breaking our intense exchange because the memories are hitting both of us hard. I stand up, throw my trash away, and clock back in.
My shift goes by so fast, and I feel so tired again. I feel sick but not ill at the same time. I’ve been feeling more tired every day, and I don't know why. I made a mental note to make a doctor’s wellness appointment. Maybe I just have low iron.
Cole told everyone to leave early because he wants me to get a headstart on learning how to close on my own. When Cole quits, he’s recommending me as the next supervisor. It’s a great workplace, and I’m used to it…at least until I graduate.
I lock the doors to the coffee shop, and as soon as I turn around, I bump into Cole’s chest. He’s standing right behind me. I let out a startled sigh. I playfully pat his shoulders away, making the distance between us more significant.
“You scared me.”
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to do that. I don’t like seeing you scared,” he admits. A warm flutter hits my chest. I look up at him as I try to catch my breath and cool down my heated nerves. But then he’s giving me that same look. He palms the wall behind me and leans in. At 6’2, he has a height advantage over me.
Is he going to try something?
I give Cole a comforting smile as I walk toward my car, dipping under his cornered embrace. It’s a full moon tonight, and I hear all the night critters making noises around us. Famous Texas insects sing all night but quiet down when we get too close to them. Humidity coats our skin as we continue to walk, and the smell of rain nearby wraps me up.
“Hey, Millie. I was wondering if you wanted to grab a drink right now. At the local bar?”
“Oh…” My heart sinks, knowing I have to reject him. Why can’t I feel the same way? Or am I scared of falling for him? Am I afraid of someone treating me well? Cole is good…he’s always justgoodto me.
“Cole, I’m actually really tired. I have a date with my bed tonight with a man called sleep,” I joke, but he doesn’t laugh.
Crap.
It’s not a lie. God, I hate this. He means a lot to me.
Cole swallows harder than usual and forces a tart curve of his pink lips. I try to change the subject.
“What about this weekend? We can invite Leah, too.” I look up at him, reassuring him. His smile widens, and he lowers himself to meet me. I tip-toe to give him a quick kiss on the cheek.
“Sure...whatever you would like.” Cole returns the kiss on my cheek. He stares at me for a few more beats and withdraws himself, masking his emotions with deadpanned dark brown eyes. He turns around, walks across the parking lot, and takes out his car keys. I watch him get into his car and leave.
A part of me wants to give us a chance, but I know I don’t feel the same way towards him.
How will I know if I don’t try?
I’m scared of growing attached to someone.
I stick my key into the car handle but stop in my tracks as the noise around the trees erupts in front of my car.
Maybe a rabbit hopping around?
I quickly get into my car, pivoting on my feet. I close and lock the doors as soon as I’m entirely in. All the worst-case scenarios are going through my head.
