Page 107 of The Accidental Wife

“Shayla…” My eyes burn with tears when I hear the despair in his voice and see the tears in his eyes. “I fucked up. I know. But everything I told you at the beach is true. If you can’t believe anything, at the very least believe that.”

I wipe away the tears that stream down my cheeks, “I do, but it’s just not enough to fix the damage you’ve done.” I tell him honestly, and he closes his eyes, biting his bottom lip.

“Shay, you’re the one I want. Let’s just talk, please?”

I shake my head. “I wish that there was more to say, but there isn’t. I’ve got nothing left for you anymore.”

“Please don’t say I’ve lost you.” He exhales woefully, and I shake my head.

“You can’t lose something you never had,” I whisper and tear my eyes from his and walk to my bedroom, ignoring his calls out to me. I close the door and lean on it, sobbing pathetically. I was so tired of feeling the way I did. Deep down, I knew it was too good to be true, I had a feeling in my gut that something would happen, and it did. I lived a dream for a few days, but I've woken to the reality of my pathetic existence yet again.

* * *

One week passesby since I’ve seen or heard from Cole. It hasn’t gotten any easier, but I’m learning to cope with the constant ache in my chest. On the tenth day, I was ready to face the world again. Something Aimee said hit me really hard. “I know you’re hurting Shayla, but you’re a lot stronger than you know. No girl should ever pin all her hopes and dreams on a man. You hold your head up, and you walk back into that office, and you work your arse off for that dream you were building long before Cole Hoult walked into your life.”

So, I did. I buried my feelings for him yet again and put all my energy into my work. Seeing him for the first time after our break up was the most challenging part, but I somehow found the strength to face him.

When I knock on his office door, he lifts his stormy gaze to look at me, and he blinks surprised, getting up to his feet as I walk into his office. “Shayla.”

“Hi, can we talk for a second?” I say, and he nods slowly.

“Of course, come on in.” He answers, taking a step closer to me. I lick my lips and suck in a deep breath to calm my nerves before I raise my gaze off the floor to meet his steadily.

“My initial instinct was to quit this project and disappear for a while, but over the last ten days, I’ve had time to think about it, and I’ve decided to stay and see this project through,” I explain, and his eyes light up instantly which throws me off a little. I rub my forehead, “Uh, I want us to forget everything that happened in Dubai and just focus on working on this project together like we initially planned.”

“And if I can’t forget?”

“Then I’ll walk out right now.”

“Shayla, that’s not fair. You can’t just expect me to forget everything that’s happened between us and carry on like I’m not in love—”

“Cole, stop.” I cut him off, closing my eyes. “That ship has sailed and sunk. If you’re willing to work together professionally, I’m more than happy to do that, but that is as far as it will ever go between us.” Cole’s shoulders slump, and he looks down at the floor.

“If working together is the only way I can keep you in my life, I will gladly do that than not have you in it at all.” He tells me earnestly. I force down the sudden urge to cry and nod.

“Great,” I utter, looking at him. “I’ll be at my desk then.”

“Good.” He replies, staring at me intently. I tear my eyes away from his before I turn and walk out of his office. The next few weeks, I was required to work long days and nights alongside Cole on this hotel project. I sigh, dropping my pen in frustration. I rub my temples tiredly. Cole lifts his eyes off his sketch and looks at me with a little frown. “What’s the matter?”

“I’ve tried multiple times to get this bit right, but it’s not working.” I groan, closing my eyes. Cole gets up and walks around the desk to stand over me from behind.

“Show me.” He says, placing one hand on the table and leaning over me so he could see my sketch.

“Here.” I tap my pen on the part I was struggling with. While he studies my sketch, Cole’s eyes narrow, he bites his lip, and his hand covers mine holding the pen.

“If you do it like this…” He speaks lowly beside my ear as his hand guides mine over the screen. I bite my lip, and my fingers tremble a little under him, but he tightens his hand around mine, steadying it as he draws expertly. “It should work.” He murmurs in my ear.

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” I swallow hard when I feel his breath on my ear for a lingering moment before he pulls away and walks back to his seat, his eyes on mine till he smirks a little and looks down at his tablet again.

“I think I’m done for the day. I’m going to head out.” I tell him, and he looks at me, nodding his head slowly. “Do you need anything from me before I go?”

He smiles, “I wouldn’t say no to a back rub.” He states boldly, raising his brows at me suggestively.

“But I would.” I retort, smiling sweetly at him, and he chuckles, amused with a shake of his head.

“Killjoy,” He pouts, throwing a balled-up paper at me, which I pick up and throw back at him.

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