Page 30 of L.O.V.E

“I’ve had too much to drink. I should go.”

A mumbled “fuck” reached my ears. “Why won’t either of you talk about what happened?”

“She’s your fiancée. I won’t.” I wanted to. “I can’t.” I had no right. He wasn’t mine. “Goodnight, Cole.”

I powered down my cell. Drank through two more episodes. Woke the next morning with a killer headache, a sour stomach, and Cole on my mind.

“Wasn’t expecting to see you here.” Gone were the dimples. Even wearing a scowl, the man was devastating. He wore a light blue sweater, worn jeans, and black sneakers. His messy hair only added charm.

The flutter in my chest was wholly inappropriate, and the very reason I had waited for him to finish eating before walking through the door and to his table.

“I only came to apologize for last night. In person. Not over the phone.”

“You have no reason to apologize.” He cleared his throat and dropped his wadded napkin on the empty plate, then tilted his strong square jaw to meet me eye to eye.

My glasses slid down my nose, an irritating distraction. I pinched the rim, sliding them back into place. “I said some things.”

“You were intoxicated.”

Damn wine. “That’s not an excuse.”

“Natalie.” He sighed, pushed to stand, and then pulled out a chair. “Sit with me.”

“No.” I moved back a step. “I need to get home.”

My phone buzzed in my hand, breaking the tension, and I glanced down at the screen.

I see you.

Fucking whore.

Pulse kicking, I looked out the window across the street. A glance left, then right. No sign of Holden or his Tundra.

Over the past couple weeks, the texts had changed from pleading to ugly. I blocked every caller, yet new messages kept coming. I would have to change my number, but I feared even that wouldn’t stop his efforts.

Cole whispered, “What?”

“What, what?” I asked, not sure where to aim my attention, gaze bouncing from the phone to Cole to the phone to Cole.

“You’re white as a ghost.” He stepped around the table, standing close enough I could smell his laundry soap. “Is it him? He still bothering you?”

I hadn’t the energy to lie. “Yes.” I showed him my screen.

“Natalie,” he said, voice dark and gritty. “We have to do something.”

The wordwefloated between us, a slip I didn’t dare acknowledge.

Cole cleared his throat. “The guy is unhinged. You need to be careful.”

“I know.” I shoved the cell into my handbag.

“What are you doing to protect yourself?”

“Security won’t let him into our building at work. He can’t get into my apartment building. I haven’t seen him in days.” I stared at the table, my words falling weak.

“We offer self-defense courses at the gym. Why don’t you come in? Take a class. See how you like it.” He gripped my elbow and gave it a squeeze. “Hell. Bring Lacey. You two can get the friends and family discount.”

“Yeah. Maybe,” I mumbled, moving just enough to break contact. Even though the gesture was innocent, his touch ignited an unholy flame under my skin. “Might be a good idea.”

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