Page 91 of Coldhearted King

“Cole’s not like that.” I pause because again, that’s not quite true. “I mean, obviously he lives a different life from most people, but he cares. Otherwise, why would he have sent me here?”

She presses her lips together, her eyes searching mine. Then she lets out a sigh. “You know I don’t regret what happened with your father because you are the best thing that ever happened to me, but I don’t want you to go through the pain of realizing you’ve given your heart to someone not worthy of it.” One corner of her mouth turns up. “But then, you’ve got a far better head on your shoulders than I did when I was younger. I let myself get swept up in your dad’s charisma and all the attention and excitement of being with someone like him. I just think you should be careful. Okay?”

“I will, Mom, I promise. I know exactly what this is, so I won’t be upset when it ends.” The lie pinches inside my chest.

Worry still shimmers in her eyes, but she smiles gently. “Well, that’s all I can ask for.”

* * *

Later that night,I’m lying in bed and finally have time to look at my phone. When I see the message notification, I quickly swipe the screen.

I’m glad you’re happy. I’ll think of a way you can show me your gratitude when I get home.

I’m very happy. And I’ve already thought of a way to thank you.

Is that so? Care to enlighten me?

No. It can be a surprise.

I’ve got some ideas too.

I just bet you do.

What are you doing now?

Mom and I just finished binge-watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer, drinking wine, and eating popcorn.

Sounds like a blast.

It might not be as glamorous as hanging out on the red carpet or attending VIP events, but it’s one of my favorite things to do. You shouldn’t knock it until you try it ;)

The three dots blink on the screen, disappear, then reappear again. Why is it taking him so long to reply?

Finally, his message pops up.

I’m always down for spending time with you and a bottle of wine.

Memories shuttle through my brain and heat sweeps over my skin. Not the reaction I need to have when I’m all alone in my childhood bed. Still, I wonder if that’s what he was going to say all along, or if he changed his mind halfway through replying. Maybe he planned to say something along the lines of “that sounds like my worst nightmare.”

I have to go. I’ve got an early flight to Berlin tomorrow. Have fun with your mom and I’ll see you on Friday.

Good luck with everything.

My finger hovers over the keypad before I give in to the ever-building pressure in my chest and add, “I miss you.”

The bubbles appear and disappear, then stop completely. I puff out a breath. I shouldn’t have said anything.

I turn out my light and stare up at the dark ceiling, wishing I could take back my words. But a few minutes later, my phone beeps again. I pick it up and read the message with a smile so big I feel it spreading over my face.

I miss you too.

CHAPTERTHIRTY-FOUR

COLE

Iflick through the television channels, trying to find something to lull my brain toward sleep. After flying back to London from Germany this morning, then having a full day of meetings, I’m struggling to switch off. I’ve also been waiting for a call, so when my phone rings, I swipe it off the side table. “Did he accept?” I ask without bothering to say hello.

Roman’s voice comes out clearly through the phone speaker. “He did,” he says, and I let out a silent sigh of relief. “If he admits his guilt and pays a forty-five million dollar fine, his prison sentence will be reduced from twenty years to eight.”

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