Page 51 of Hensley Manor
“If you could do anything, what would it be?” Ian asked. He tore off a piece of his bagel and chewed it slowly, his blue eyes not leaving mine.
“Honestly?” Images of the manor popped into my head, and a sense of longing coursed through me. “I’d like to have a bed and breakfast someday. Maybe somewhere nestled in the woods, like a perfect getaway for the holidays. I don’t have any experience running a business, but it sounds…I don’t know. Like something I’d enjoy.”
Ian’s expression softened. “I wasn’t expecting that answer. It’s a good one.”
“If you weren’t running the toy company, what wouldyoulike to do? The sky is the limit.”
He thought on his response before saying, “I enjoy running the company. But if I could, I’d love to bake for people. Right now, it’s just a hobby that helps ease stress, but food brings people together. I’m not sure if I’d open my own bakery or work as a pastry chef somewhere.”
There’s my Ian.
I had no idea how it was possible. But, somehow, the real Ian had found me inthisreality. The woman at the antique store had said,“Destiny is calling,”right before I bumped into Ian outside. Even though I knew how foolish it was to hope, I let myself do so anyway.
His phone rang.
“Ian Hensley,” he said upon answering it. “Mhm.” A pause. “All right. I’ll be there soon. No, it’s fine. Okay.” He ended the call and tucked his phone back into his coat pocket.
“Have somewhere to be?”
“Yes. There’s an issue with a shipment of toys that I need to resolve.” Disappointment shone in his eyes as he looked at me. “I enjoyed meeting you, Cole. I didn’t realize it was getting so late.”
“I enjoyed it, too.”
Dammit. I wasn’t ready to say goodbye.
I’d never be ready.
When he stood from the table, I got to my feet as well. We gathered our trash and threw it away before walking outside. The snow had only gotten heavier, falling faster and accumulating on the street.
Ian stood in front of me and wavered in place, as if he didn’t want to say goodbye, either.
“Would you like to have dinner tomorrow?”
“Can we meet for coffee again?”
We had asked the questions at the same time. Ian chuckled as a blush flooded his pale cheeks. His bashfulness was too endearing.
“Dinner would be great,” I said, grinning.
“Excellent.” His smile touched the cold spot in my chest, warming it at last. “Dinner tomorrow night. I’ll pick you up at six-thirty?”
“Works for me.”
After exchanging phone numbers, we went our separate ways. And for the first time since waking up in my apartment five days ago, I felt like I could finally breathe again.
***
“Dude, if I was gay I’d totally bang you.”
I laughed and shoved Lance out of the way so I could look in the mirror. I didn’t recognize the man staring back at me. My usual brown wavy hair had been straightened—thanks to Lance’s new girlfriend coming over and helping me—and my suit fit like a glove, hanging off in the right places and hugging me in others.
“You look handsome,” Megan told me. She then went over to Lance and kissed him on the cheek. “I’m going to put on my dress.”
“Need help?” Lance arched a brow.
“No. But I’ll need help taking it off later.”
“Hot damn.” Lance watched her walk away before throwing an arm over my shoulder. “I got lucky with that one.”
