“Remember that party she was going to throw us?” I nod, and he smiles sheepishly. “That’s this Saturday. My mother has arranged it in their back garden.”
“What? Cole, that’s in three days? Why didn’t they give us more notice?” I question, glaring at him. He shrugs.
“I think she mentioned it to me two weeks ago, and I completely forgot to tell you—Ow hey!” I punch his arm, and he chuckles, scowling at me while rubbing his arm. “I’m sorry. We’ve been really busy at work, and you've not been around lately, so it completely slipped out of my mind.”
“Do we have to go?” I complain with a pout, and he looks at me rather amused.
“Well yes, it is a party for us, so I assume we may have to make an appearance.”
I roll my eyes at his sarcastic tone, and he grins back at me.
“Great, so I’ll have to go shopping for a dress and stuff.” I groan, closing my eyes.
“Actually, my mother has arranged everything. All you have to do is show up at four.” I open my eyes and look at him.
“I swear to God if your mother tries dressing me up like some preppy malibu barbie, I will walk right out of there,” I warn, and Cole laughs as he parks up the car.
“Shayla, you two really need to stop butting heads. It’s one-night sweetheart, just go with it and keep her happy. This socialite crap really means a lot to her.” Cole explains, looking at me once he finishes parking the car.
“You couldn’t have married someone else, could you? No, you had to pick me.” I grumble, and Cole laughs again, turning in his seat to look at me.
“Sweetheart, you’re just as guilty. The last time I checked, I wasn’t holding a gun to your head. We both skipped down that aisle and said yes at that altar.” I sigh with a groan and smack his hand away when he squeezes my cheek.
“Fine, but if she tries digging me out in front of her rich friends, don’t expect me to sit there and take it,” I inform him while taking my seatbelt off, and Cole smiles at me warmly.
“I wouldn’t dream of it. Come on.” He says and gets out of the car. I follow him out and look around.
“Golf?” I say incredulously, watching Cole, who smiles, walking around the car. “Oh man, you have not learnt a thing about me.”
“Crazy golf.” He corrects, taking hold of my hand, and pulls me along with him. When I try to pry my hand from his, he tightens his fingers around mine and smiles. “It’s a lot more fun than golf, I promise.” He adds, pulling me through the gates.
“If you say so,” I utter as we collect our clubs. I look around and see other couples laughing and flirting with one another. Great.
We make our way through to the first course, “Have you ever been crazy golf before?” Cole questions as we wait for the couple in front of us to take their turn. I shake my head, averting my eyes from his, and pretend to look at my club.
“Nope, never been,” I reply, watching the couple before us flirtatiously touch one another. It’s definitely their first date. I miss feeling that excitement of a new relationship. “Shay?”
I blink and look at Cole, who is watching me his brows raised slightly, “Huh?”
He smiles, “It’s our go.” I nod and step forward. I drop my ball on the fake grass and look at my club. How the hell do you hold this thing. I recall it from one of the movies I watched with the girls recently, but I was drawing a blank. I wrap my fingers at the top of the club and step to the side. “You’re holding the club wrong, here.” Cole steps behind me and presses his chest against my back.
He reaches over me, and I close my eyes when I feel his warm breath on the shell of my ear while his fingers close around mine. “Okay, the object of the game is to get the ball in the hole with one shot. This one is fairly simple. It’s a straight line so pull the putter back like this…” He whispers, drawing my arms back.
“Now, tap the ball but not with too much force.” He lets go of my hands and places them at my waist instead. I take a deep breath and try not to think about the warmth of his fingers against my skin. I tap the ball, and it rolls slowly and drops in the hole.
“Ah! I did it!” I squeal and jump excitedly. Cole laughs and drops a kiss on my head before he steps back.
“That’s my girl, hole in one on your first go.” I smile up at him and step aside while he takes his shot. I watch as he expertly hits the ball, and it lands perfectly in the hole. He grins smugly at me, wags his brows lifting his club over his shoulder, and moves to the next course.
“Hey, wait a minute. How is this fair? You’re a golfer that puts me at a disadvantage here.” I pout as he takes his shot on the second course, and it lands in the hole perfectly. Cole looks over his shoulder and grins at me.
“I helped you, didn’t I?” He asks, feigning innocence. I give him a suspicious look as I prepare to take my shot. I draw my putter back, and just as I’m about to hit the ball, Cole coughs in my ear, causing me to mess up my shot. I watch as the ball rolls off and falls into the water. I gape at him, and he laughs heartily.
“Oh, okay, so that’s how we’re playing, you little cheat!” I exclaim, shoving him, and he grins ruffling up my hair.
“I am no such thing!” He retorts as he jogs over to the next course with me hot on his heel.
“Oh, it’s so on.” I declare, narrowing my eyes at him. “You just declared war, Hoult. Your arse is going down.”