Page 156 of The Grumpy Boss Agreement

That fast-talking idiot. Only two hours ago, I was thinking that tonight would be the night I told him how I really felt. But now I could honestly strangle him.

“What an inconsiderate… dick!” I cry. “First Cole took that job in England. Now this? You’re in on it, too, whatever it is. What’s next, I’m kicked out of Grandad’s house, effective immediately?”

“Now just hold on.” She starts pulling me away from the center and down the street. “I’m going to ask you to reserve judgment until you’ve heard all the facts.”

Tears press at the corners of my eyes. I promise myself that I am not going to fall apart, but damn if I don’t want to break down right now. I promised Lucy that I would make myself vulnerable to Cole. But this feels dangerously close to being a pushover. Sniffling, I brush away a tear before it falls onto my cheek.

“Are there facts that could possibly make Cole not look like a prick? Because if so, I’d love to see them.”

“I don’t want to ruin the surprise.” She smiles at me, but doesn’t answer my actual question. “Come on. It’s not much longer. When you understand everything, you’ll feel better. I just need you to come with me to see something.”

She drags me down the sidewalk.

Another figure materializes out of the shadows and steps into the middle of the path.

Cole.

He’s wearing his dark suit, and looking at me with a very grave expression. His puffs of breath in the wintry night air rise against the dark gray backdrop of the street.

He’s the last person I want to see right now. My tender feelings haven’t had a chance to breathe, let alone bounce back from the emotional effects of our break up. I’m not strong enough to see him.

Not yet. Maybe not ever.

I know this sounds stupid. I know that I promised Lucy that I would try to fight for her brother. But seeing him now feels like I’m being vivisected in front of Birdie, flayed and cut open, left with my heart beating too fast, for the entire world to see. It’s a vulnerable feeling and I’m afraid that Cole will just trample over me again. I’m not ready for it.

For him.

What is Cole thinking?

When I lock eyes with him, my heart plummets to the floor and smashes to pieces like a fragile piece of glass.

“He promised to leave me alone,” I murmur to Birdie.

“I think you’ll want to hear what he has to say,” my sister whispers.

“You’re a traitor for doing this.”

“If you’re still mad in an hour, you can give me a wet willy like we would do as kids.” She grins. “An enticing offer, I bet.”

It’s the first time I can ever recall wanting to punch my sister directly in her mouth.

Why is she betraying me? And why is Cole backtracking on our agreement to butt out of each other’s lives?

I trudge toward him, my face set in a grimace. He’s standing next to the darkened, two-story building that once housed Peterson’s Grocery. I stop a few feet away, my heart racing like I’ve just run a marathon. My soul feels like it’s made of lead.

Why does just being in Cole’s presence turn my legs to jelly? My body still yearns for him, and against my will, my lips ache for his kisses.

“Hello, Sav,” he greets me.

“Cut the crap. You promised me that you were going to leave me alone. And you were supposed to take that stupid job in England. What’s this I’m hearing about you having the community center condemned?” I twist up my mouth, but I can’t stop the words from bleeding out. “I’m disappointed in you, Cole.”

He winces. “Ouch.” He spreads his fingers out over his heart. “I guess I deserve that.”

“Well, my words wouldn’t hurt if they weren’t true.”

He seems to consider me for a moment. Then he saunters closer to me.

“I want to start this off on the right note.” He presses his lips into a thin line and frowns. “I’m sorry, Sav. I have done and said some things in the past week that I don’t know how to fix.”

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