Page 59 of Perfect Fling
While Nick explained each room and the extras he’d built in, Cole’s mind drifted, and he contemplated the day further. Cole hadn’t been the outsider he’d expected to be. Everyone talked to him, wanting to catch up and make friendly conversation. Shockingly, Cole had been not just receptive but he’d also enjoyed hearing what was going on in old acquaintances’ lives. In return, some of the guys suggested they meet up for drinks at Joe’s or that Cole join them for poker one night soon.
Cole’s conclusion was startling. When he didn’t withdraw into himself or put himself on the fringe of the crowd, he seemed to be accepted readily enough. This made him wonder if his reception on his return was more about his behavior toward everyone else rather than their feelings about him.
It would be something to think about if he’d planned on sticking around. But he didn’t. He ignored the sudden uncomfortable feeling that arose at the thought of leaving Serendipity.
Chapter Twelve
Erin was exhausted.She lay her head back against the seat while Cole drove them home. Boy, would she miss this chauffeur service when his time was done. She couldn’t believe how quickly she’d gotten used to being taken care of. Such a dangerous proposition, but at this moment, as she kicked off her shoes and curled into the seat, she couldn’t bring herself to care.
Although she’d long since accepted being pregnant, she hadn’t thought about the world knowing. The exposure had taken everything out of her. So had watching the happy couples.Families,she amended. A melancholy sadness washed over her for what she’d never have with the father of her child. But Erin knew once the exhaustion went away, the sadness would go with it, to be replaced by her determination to make the most of their time together and see where things led.
After all, Erin had always prided herself on being a go-with-the-flow kind of person. All things considered, she’d dealt with the pregnancy news, the shooting, and the stalking, and she hadn’t fallen apart. Yay her. Maybe it came from having such a stable family behind her, something Cole didn’t, and which he’d admitted had affected how he viewed life.
She sighed and closed her eyes, determined to let sleep overtake her, at least for the ride home. Better than talking about what was bothering her, something Cole, with his perceptive personality, was sure to notice.
Unfortunately, her mind was too worked up to slow down and just be, even for a few short minutes, but she kept her eyes closed. Just in case.
Of course, her thoughts went to Cole and that moment before they walked into Nick’s when she’d caught the hint of vulnerability in his expression. She was as attuned to him as he was to her. She hadn’t expected him to admit why the day would be difficult for him, but he had. He’d let her in a little more.
And in the end, he’d not just survived the day, but he’d found a place with these people—if he wanted one.
Please let him want that place with them, but most of all, with me,she thought. Because though she wouldn’t let herself use the word, not even in the most private recesses of her own mind, she was falling in...everythingwith Cole Sanders.
Even if she couldn’t sleep, she let the lull of the truck soothe her wayward thoughts until she felt the familiar set of turns into the condo complex and, finally, into her driveway.
“Stay here.”
Cole’s voice pulled her out of her stupor, and she forced her heavy eyelids open to see two police cars in front of her house, lights flashing. Her neighbors had congregated on their lawns. Cara and Sam, who’d left Nick’s before Cole and Erin had arrived for their evening shift, stood on her front porch.
Erin threw open her car door and headed for her brother.
“I said wait in the car,” Cole called after her.
She still ignored him. “What’s going on?”
Sam eyed her with concern. “Break-in.”
“Why didn’t you call me? Why didn’t the alarm company call me?”
Cara answered, her voice calm but her blue eyes warm and sympathetic. “Someone cut the phone line. The alarm went off, but the call never went to Central Station. The old woman on the right is almost deaf, and the ones on the left are on vacation. At least, according to Mrs. Flynn.”
The nearly deaf neighbor,Erin thought.
“Someone nearby must have finally realized the noise meant something and called it in,” Sam said. “You arrived before we could call you.”
“What happened?” Cole asked.
Sam tipped his head toward her condo. “Went in through the side window. Broad daylight, brazen as you please,” he muttered.
“Shewas in my house?” Erin asked, feeling a very unusual bout of hysteria coming on.
Cole’s hand clamped down on her shoulder.
“What did she do in there?” Erin started forward, but he held on fast.
Sam met Cole’s gaze over Erin’s head.
She stiffened, unwilling to be left out of the loop this time. “Oh no. None of that silent male communication crap. Talk to me.”