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He nods. “I understand, but I want you try. It’llmake you feel better.”
I hesitate, but eventually nod.
He sets me aside gently, like I’m something fragile, and walks into my bedroom to retrieve the tray. When he places it in front of me on the couch cushion, he gives me a look that leaves no room for argument. “Eat,” he orders softly.
I pick up a piece of French toast and take a small bite. The sweetness of the syrup and the warmth of the toast are comforting in a way I hadn’t expected, and as I eat, I feel some of the tension in my body start to ease.
“Good,” he says, watching me with a satisfied expression. “You needed this. Drink the juice. You need hydration.”
“Thank you,” I say quietly, glancing at him between sips.
He nods, his expression softening. “You don’t have to thank me, Annie. This is... part of it. Making sure you’re okay.”’
If anyone had asked me yesterday whether I thought a softer side of Cole Wagner existed, I would’ve given them a big fat no. But today? Today, I consider myself lucky to know the other side of him. The side not many people get to see.
Maybe he’s not so bad after all.
As I pick up the glass and sip the orange juice, a thought pops into my head—a question I was too afraid to ask him before. “When are you planning on opening the pool?”
His brow arches slightly at the sudden change in subject. Sexual dynamics to pools. I don’t blame him.
“The pool’s scheduled to opennext month.”
I frown. “Can’t it be sooner? A lot of people keep their pools heated and open year-round in this climate.”
He shrugs. “I never had a reason to. I don’t use it, and Robbie doesn’t go in it much.”
“Well, I think he’d like to,” I say, my tone soft but insistent. “Plus, he’s made some friends at school, and I thought it would be nice to have them over for a pool party. The days are getting hotter, and the school year’s almost over.”
He looks at me for a long moment, then nods slowly. “I’ll make some calls.”
A smile spreads across my face, and for the first time all morning, I genuinely feel okay.
No, he’s not so bad after all.
Chapter Twenty One
Cole
Virginia’s calm, measured voice fills the otherwise quiet space of my home office as her voice comes over the phone. I lean back in my leather chair and listen as she efficiently goes over my schedule for the rest of the day.
Working from home always made things a bit more difficult, but Virginia had the routine down to a science.
“And your virtual meeting with Mr. Patel is scheduled in thirty minutes. It’s flagged as high priority,” she says, her tone professional and clipped as always.
“Got it,” I reply, jotting a quick note in my planner. “Anything else on the agenda for today?”
“Yes,” she says without missing a beat. “I wanted to remind you about the annual gala. It’s coming up in two weeks, so we’ll need to finalize catering, entertainment, and the guest list this week. I’ve already reached out to the usual vendors, but I’ll need your input on the finer details.”
The gala. Of course. The massive formal party I throw every year for my investors and key connections. It’s not something I look forward to, but it’s a necessary evil in maintaining my network. “Understood. Send me a list of what needs my attention, and I’ll get to it.”
“I’ll have it to you by the end of the day,” she assures me. “I will go ahead and tell the party planner to coordinate with Ellis on when her team can be at the house to prepare.”
“Very good,” I say.”
“Will you need anything else, Mr. Wagner?”
“No, thank you, Virginia,” I say.