Page 53 of Simply Irresistible

"You can say that again," Bella says as she stops in the doorway, leaning against the doorpost. "Want my opinion?"

Her lips curl upwards when I nod.

“You've gone bat crazy on him. You let your fear of getting hurt take over, and you bombarded him with eggs." She lets out a chuckle, moving her hand in front of her mouth. "If I were you, I would change into a clean outfit and go find the man who deserves an explanation and an apology."

I let out a long breath. "Do you think he will forgive me?"

"Girl, he let you hit him with eggs. You got a chance."

I gaze at the clock.

"Don't worry. Since I'm done with painting, I’ll pick up Charlotte from school and stay with her."

I run to Bella and hug her. "Thanks."

"No problem, that's what best friends are for."

Please be here.I press the button for the bell another time. While I wait for him to open the door, I gaze at his house. This is more like an estate. I bet his garage is larger than my entire house. Why isn't he opening? I called Amanda and asked if she knew where he could be. She told me he was home. She called him twenty minutes ago. God, what if he's done with me after my violent egg-throwing behavior?

I swallow when the door opens, and an unknown towering man stands and fills the doorway. He's got short blond hair, and a deep line on his forehead intensifies his stoic expression. His electric-blue eyes inspect me as he crosses his arms in front of his impressive chest, and I get nervous under his gaze.

"Uh, is Nick here?"

"Who's asking?"

"I'm Emma."

Immediately, a tender grin appears on his face, transforming his stern features into a captivating one. Yes, he is an attractive man, but I don't feel any sparks when he studies me. "And you are…”

"I'm Cole."

I lift my brows. "You're Cole, as in his best friend?"

"Yep, that's me," he says. "So, you're Miss Egg Thrower?"

My cheeks turn an embarrassing hue of red.

"Come in, Emma. I'm glad you're here," he says, his smile growing bigger while holding the door open for me.

I walk into the grand hallway, my eyes expand when I get a glimpse of Nick's interior design. The light oak floor combined with the wooden beams on the ceiling gives his home a welcoming feeling. It suits his warm and kind personality. Cole closes the door and stops next to me.

"How is he?" I ask while gazing through the hallway, hoping to find him.

“More important. How are you?”

I raise my head, surprised by his counter-question.

"Oh, is that your way of asking if I brought another set of eggs with me?"

He throws his head back and laughs. His bellowing vibrato resonates through the air, and I can't help but smile. After a few moments, his face shows an amused grin. "Come with me. He's in the gym." Cole strides through the hallway, and I have to jog to keep up with him.

"Is he mad?"

"Hmm, mad isn't the right word. Upset and confused may fit better."

We walk down a set of stairs, and he stops by the enormous window next to a wooden door. When I look through the glass, I notice the dimmed light. I narrow my eyes, and when my gaze lands on Nick, I suck in a deep breath.

Cole lets out a chuckle. "Don't worry, he does that when he's stressed and needs to release energy. It's a martial arts thing he's been doing for years."

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