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“No, Low, it’s fine. It just surprised me to find out that’s what you two were talking about is all,” he admits.
“Does he always talk this much around you?” I ask his mum, making her chuckle.
“He’s such a charmer.” She winks at me, getting up from the sofa. “I’m going to put dinner on. Would you two like to stay for dinner? Frank should be home soon too.”
I glance at Cole, who just shrugs, seeming in his own world, so I face his mum, giving her a bright smile. “We’d love to.”
“Great.” She beams.
When she leaves, I move everything off my lap and get up, walking over to Cole. He surprises me when he pulls me in for a hug, his head resting in the crook of my neck, breathing me in.
“Are you okay?” I whisper, still surprised he’d show this kind of affection with his mum in the next room.
“Yeah,” he croaks out, never pulling away from me. “I forget sometimes that I’m even adopted. My life before wasn’t good. I guess hearing it brought up some old memories, ones I wanted more than anything to forget.”
“Do you want to talk about it?” I ask, not wanting to pry yet needing him to know that I’ll always listen to him.
“No, not really,” he grunts, and squeezes me a little tighter before pulling away.
“Okay,” I sigh, pulling back so I can meet his gaze. His gorgeous features will always take my breath away. “So, dinner with the rents.” I muse, rolling back on the balls of my feet. “Next you’ll be asking me to marry you.”
His eyes sparkle, a deep chuckle rumbling from his chest. He leans down, kissing the tip of my nose. Tingles shoot through my body and I can’t help the silly grin that crosses my face.
“Mum! Liam loves Willow,” Mia shouts, giggling. Cole turns his attention to her, a teasing glint in his eyes. Mia notices and starts stepping backwards slowly, her eyes wide and on Cole.
“Oh, I’m going to tickle you to death,” Cole warns, taking slow, creepy steps towards her. She squeals, her face full of excitement and horror, before she speeds off, Cole fast on her heels. He catches up to her in a few long strides, swinging her upside down and poking her in the ribs with his index finger, making her howl with laughter.
“No. Put me down. Put me down,” she wails.
“Never,” he rumbles, and straightens her up, planting a kiss on her cheek.
I watch in awe, amusement and something else, something I’m not ready to admit, not now, not yet. It doesn’t stop the emotion from balling in my chest. I know Cole sees it because when he glances my way, his eyes reflect the same emotion back at me, knocking the wind out of me.
Yeesh, I’m in trouble!
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
My Friday nights used to be spent partying with friends, or when my mum wasn’t working, they would be spent with her at the cinema, eating our body weight in junk food and ice blasts.
Never did I expect to be sitting in a library, waiting to conspire against someone I once considered my best friend. The person who now turns my stomach. Just thinking about him or hearing his name revolts me.
“What time is Jordan coming?” I ask Allie, wringing my hands in my lap. I’ve tried so hard to keep my nerves at bay, but I’m finding it hard to keep control of my emotions. I have so much riding on this plan. If this fails, if we’re caught, then there is no chance of us ever taking him or Jamie down.
“She’ll be here in ten minutes,” Allie answers, watching me closely. “Everything is going to be okay.” There’s not a flicker of doubt in her words.
I’m glad it’s just us two at the minute. Everyone else should be arriving any second. The only reason I’m early is because I decided to walk with Allie to work. Alex has promised to cover for her if anyone asks why she’s sat down talking to me and the others, for which I’m thankful for. I don’t think I can do this without her at my side.
“CJ’s here,” I announce, my body jumping a little from the adrenaline pumping through my veins.
“Oh, yeah,” Allie murmurs, but something shifts in her expression, and I have to bite back a grin. One day, she’s going to have to admit she has the hots for CJ. The sexual tension between those two is sometimes suffocating.
“Hey, Cupcake. Low.” He jerks his chin up and swings the seat around so he can sit on it backwards. “Cole’s just finding a space to park the car,” he informs us, and glances over at me, noticing my twitchy behaviour. “Chill. Everything’s cool.”
I nod, my movements jerky. I feel Cole the second he walks through the large wooden oak doors. Tingles shoot up my spine and my body slumps, finally relaxing.
“Cole,” I breathe, shooting up from my seat. I take a step towards him.
His face pinches with concern when he notices me, and in two long strides, he’s by my side, his hands cupping my cheeks.