Page 58 of The Ranger
Everyone groaned jokingly but agreed.
“Those North Koreans are pretty resilient and sneaky,” Liam said.“I spent a few years up at the DMZ and wouldn’t send my worst enemy across the border.”
Penny walked in with a tray of cookies at that point, the delicious aroma filling the room.All thoughts of bad guys vanished momentarily.
“I left them in my car this morning.”She shook her head.“Old age getting to me.Dig in, boys.”
“Goddamn, Penny.”Aidan launched at them.
As we all chowed down, we talked about Marshall’s upcoming nuptials.It was taking place in just over a week.
I know Scarlett was eager to go, but we both were taking things day by day.
“Thomas is working through the weekend.I want the rest of the team on standby should we need to move.”Josh had stood and walked to the door.
Aidan followed, but not before grabbing another cookie.“I’ll brief the teams.”
There was one cookie left, so I wrapped it in a napkin and stashed it in my glove box of my car.
Reaching over now, I pull the compartment open and handed the treat to Scarlett.
“What’s this?”
“Penny baked cookies.”I turn onto her road and parked, then rested my arm on the steering wheel, just barely resisting the urge to brush her shiny dark locks over her ear.
I do it anyway.
Big green eyes turn to me.
“Cole,” she says, her voice softer than I am used to.
“I know.”I nod.
But I don’t know.
I don’t fucking know anything and wish she would tell me how she feels.I wish I could get clarity about my damn feelings.
“I, um,” Scarlett begins.“I read that this happens.Whatever this is.We’re having a kid together, so it’s bonding us.That’s all, Cole.”
“Right.”
“You don’t love me.”
“Never said I did.”I hate that she won’t look at me, and I hate that she fucking said that.Because it also indicates that she doesn’t love me.And for some goddamn reason I am irritated as hell by that.
“Just making sure.”
“Fine.But I care.”
“Because I’m pregnant with your baby!”Scarlett announces, as if it’s a crime.
“Yes.”I nod while she glares.“What is wrong with that?We’re going to be in each other’s lives forever.”
She huffs.
“There’s nothingwrongwith it.Just don’t mistake it for anything else.”When she opens the door, her head snaps around.“For once, Cole Zimbardo, let me get out of the damn car and walk to my damn front door by myself.”
I grind my teeth.
