Page 114 of The Accidental Wife

Cole

I moanwhen I feel something softly comb through my hair. “Get up, you goof.”

“No,” I mutter, my voice muffled, my face currently pressed into my arms, which are resting on my desk.

“Cole, I need the blueprint, but your giant forehead is covering the part I need to see,” Shayla complains and taps my head with her pencil a couple of times. I smile into my arms and peek up at her, not fully lifting my head.

“Excuse you, this forehead has expanded to capacitate the knowledge and wisdom my brain has accumulated over the years,” I tell her. Shayla narrows her eyes at me and tilts her head to the side while her lips curl into a smile.

“Uh-huh, looks like a receding hairline to me, but whatever makes you feel better, big boy.” She utters, pulling on the paper and glaring at me playfully when I don’t move. “Let go.”

I grin at her, and she blinks at me. “Big boy?”

Shayla’s cheeks flush, and she looks away while licking her lips, and I grin, resisting the urge to grab her face and kiss her. “I… I didn’t mean…” She tries to backtrack, and I just watch her with glee. She sighs, closing her eyes. “I really hate you. I hope you know that.”

“No, you don’t.” I chuckle amusedly and groan when she hits my head with the pencil.

“Shut up and focus on work,” I laugh and look down at the blueprint we’ve been working on at my apartment.

“Baby, I’m home.” I groan and close my eyes when I hear the front door open, and Sophie's voice echoes in the apartment. Shayla rolls her eyes and mutters under her breath.

“You said she wasn’t coming over.” She whispers to me furiously, and I shrug, rolling my eyes.

“She wasn’t supposed to be, but she knows we’re working from here, so…”

“Of course she was going to show up.” Shayla hisses frostily and looks down at the blueprint in front of her.

“Look who I ran into in the lobby. Oh. Shayla’s here too. I thought you were working from here tomorrow night?” She questions, walking over to me and leans over to kiss me, but I turn my head, and she catches my cheek. I look over at Shayla, who is staring down at the papers in front of her pretending to work. I glance over Shayla’s shoulder and frown when I see Josh walk into the study.

“I told you this morning we were working from here today because we need to finish this by the end of this week.” I nod, greeting Josh, and he nods back.

“Hi, Shayla.” Josh greets her, and she looks up and smiles at him warmly.

“Hi Josh, how are you?” Josh nods, returning her smile.

“I’m well, thanks. I’ve not seen you around the office much lately. How’s the hand?” Shayla looks at her bandaged-up hand and shrugs.

“Healing slowly and very itchy.” Josh chuckles, and they begin talking back and forth. Since when have these two been so chummy? Sophie wraps her arm around my shoulder, and I don’t even acknowledge it. I fixed my gaze on Shayla and Josh, laughing about something.

“Josh, Shayla, would you like to join Tristan and me for dinner?” Sophie offers, and Shayla looks at me bewildered before she shakes her head.

“Uh, no. I can’t. I’ve got plans already.” She declines politely, and I frown.

“What plans? It’s Sunday?” I blurt out before I could stop myself and Shayla frowns a little.

“Uh, well, it’s Sunday, Cole. I usually go to that place by the river with the girls, remember?” She reminds me, and I nod. Of course, the place with the food and dancing.

“What place by the river?” Josh questions, intrigued, and Shayla explains where it was, and he nods in understanding.

“Oh, wait, is that the place with all the lights and street food and…”

“Dancing.” They say together and laugh. “Yes, it’s amazing. I go there every other Sunday. I took Cole there a while back, and he loved it. Didn’t you?” She asks, and I nod, smiling fondly.

“I’ve always wanted to go but never really found anyone to go with. My friends don’t like places like that, and I don’t really want to go alone like a weirdo.”

Shayla grins, shaking her head. “You need new friends.”

Josh cackles, “Tell me about it. I’ll be sure to post an open ad for some.” He jokes, making Shayla laugh. “I’ll look forward to receiving your application.”

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