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“I do, actually. My sister makes sure of that. Our two younger brothers refuse to step foot in a boutique, so I’m her go-to companion on shopping trips,” he said.
My lips tugged into a reluctant smile.
“I suppose that would explain it,” I said.
Cole shrugged.
“Helps to know a thing or two. Plus, it gives me an excuse to keep coming back here,” Cole said.
His gaze met mine again, and this time, I couldn’t look away.
Silence stretched between us, full of tension, an unspoken pull I couldn’t deny.
I broke eye contact first, reaching for a nearby blouse to distract myself.
We chose more clothes.
Finally, I busied myself bagging his selections, trying to ignore the rush of warmth that his words sent through me.
When I handed him the bag, his fingers brushed against mine, and the small, electric touch sent a spark up my arm.
“Thank you, Tori,” he said. “I appreciate your help. Would you let me buy you lunch as a thank you?”
My heart stuttered. For a long moment, I couldn’t speak, my mind spinning with reasons to say no.
I’d told myself I was done with men who made me feel vulnerable, that I’d protect myself this time.
But the way he looked at me, steady and respectful, softened something in me. This wasn’t Marcus.
I didn’t sense danger in his eyes, only a careful curiosity that felt… safe, even though I barely knew him.
I bit my lip, weighing my options before finally nodding.
“Okay.”
“Great.” His smile widened, and he gestured to the door. “Is there somewhere nearby you’d recommend?”
“Depends,” I said, crossing my arms as I glanced up at him. “Are you used to posh restaurants?”
He chuckled. “Let’s just say I’m up for trying new things.”
There was a small diner down the street.
The kind of place where the tables had been worn down from years of regulars and the coffee was always a little too strong.
I led him there, stealing glances as we walked.
I tried to hide the way my heart raced, the strange warmth curling low in my stomach every time I felt his presence beside me.
Once inside, the waitress led us to a booth by the window, and I slipped into my seat across from him.
The diner was quiet, warm, smelling faintly of coffee and butter.
Cole looked surprisingly at ease, his shoulders relaxed as he studied the laminated menu.
“Not your usual haunt, I’m guessing?” I teased, feeling a small, reckless thrill at poking fun at him.
He glanced up, a faint smirk touching his lips.