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“Welcome back, Mr. Wagner.”
I turn just in time to see Ellis stepping forward, his posture as perfect as always, his expression composed. The man is impossible to ruffle, no matter the situation. He’s dressed in his usual crisp suit, not a single wrinkle in sight. Had he dressed like this the whole time we were gone? Or did he have a pair of sweats?
“Ellis,” Cole greets, nodding.
Ellis’ gaze shifts to me, his eyes scanning me with his usual sharp attentiveness before he offers a polite nod. “Miss Fox. I trust your trip was pleasant?”
I clear my throat. “Yes,it was… great.”
It sounds unconvincing even to my own ears, but if Ellis notices, he doesn’t comment on it.
“Evelyn is in the kitchen,” he continues, turning his attention back to Robbie. “She has prepared a special treat for you, Master Robbie.”
Robbie’s eyes light up instantly. “For me?”
Ellis gives the barest hint of a smile. “Indeed.”
That’s all Robbie needs to hear. Without hesitation, he bolts toward the kitchen, his little feet thudding against the polished floors as he disappears around the corner.
Ellis turns back to Cole and me. “I’ll have your bags taken up to your rooms and unpacked.
And just like that, he strides away, leaving me and Cole standing alone in the entryway.
The silence that follows is thick, and I don’t know how to break it.
Cole does.
“Do you want to talk?” His voice is calm, careful. “About everything? Maybe get some dinner?”
I exhale slowly, my fingers tightening around the strap of my bag. “I can’t.”
His brow furrows slightly. “Why not?”
I shift my weight from one foot to the other, already dreading the conversation that’s about to follow. “Because I have dinner plans.”
His frown deepens. “Dinner?”
I nod. “With Noah.”
A beat of silence. Then, “Noah?”
I sigh. “Yes, Noah. I told you about Noah, right?”
Cole’s expression doesn’t change, but something in his posture stiffens. His shoulders go just a little straighter, his jaw tightening the slightest bit.
“Yes, I remember.” He looks at me with those intense green eyes, pinning me to the spot. “You just got back.”
“I know.”
“You’re clearly exhausted.”
I roll my eyes. “Gee, thanks.”
His lips press together. “That’s not what I meant.”
I shake my head, setting my bag down at my feet. “Look, I promised him before we left that I’d grab dinner with him when I got back. He texted me earlier to ask if we landed on time, and I couldn’t just ignore him.”
“So tell him you’re tired,” Cole says simply. “That you’ll see him tomorrow.”