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Cole’s gaze softened, but his grip on my hand was firm.
“And now he’s here. In Oakridge Bay,” Cole said.
“I don’t know why he’s here,” I admitted.
I forced myself to look away, toward the spot where Marcus had stood moments before.
The ghost of his presence lingered, like a dark cloud over the sunny café terrace.
“Maybe it’s a coincidence. Maybe he’s just passing through,” I added.
Cole shook his head, his expression hardening.
“I don’t believe in coincidences,” he said.
The truth was, I didn’t either. My stomach twisted uncomfortably, a gnawing fear creeping up the back of my mind.
The thought that Marcus had come looking for me, that he still felt entitled to some piece of me, made my skin crawl.
Cole’s fingers tightened around mine, grounding me again.
“He’s done a number on you,” he said gently, his voice low and measured. “Even now, you’re still scared of him.”
The heat rose in my cheeks, and I pulled my hand away, bristling at the way his words sliced through me.
“I managed to do right on my own,” I replied stiffly. “I built my life back up from scratch. I didn’t need him then, and I certainly don’t need him now.”
Cole held up his hands in a placating gesture, though his eyes never left mine.
“Tori, no one could deny you have steel in your spine. It’s one of the things I admire most about you.”
He leaned closer, his voice dropping. “But even the strongest people don’t have to face everything alone.”
I bit my lip, searching his face for any sign of pity, any trace of condescension.
But all I saw was concern—genuine, earnest, and unwavering. Slowly, my shoulders relaxed, and the tension ebbed just slightly.
“Thank you,” I whispered, letting my hand drift back to his.
This time, I didn’t pull away when he wrapped his fingers around mine, squeezing gently.
Cole lifted my hand to his lips, pressing a soft kiss to the back of it.
The touch was warm, grounding, a promise I could almost believe in.
I shivered at the feel of his breath against my skin, the way his eyes softened as he looked at me.
Something shifted between us in that moment, a silent understanding that neither of us put into words.
We finished our lunch in comfortable silence.
The weight of our unspoken words still lingered but somehow, it didn’t feel as heavy.
By the time he walked me back to the boutique, I felt a strange calm settle over me.
It was as if just being near him was enough to keep the worst of my fears at bay.
At the door, I turned to face him, our hands still entwined.