Page 44

Story: Unlocking Hope

The people at the table laughed. Zoey rolled her eyes.
Cole continued, “I know you were scared and tired that day, but because of a chain of events, you ended up in my path. When you ran by me and out the door, I knew that second, I wanted to help you. When I saw how much you care for others, I wanted to know more about you. Over the past six months, I’ve watched you figure out how to help others. You turned the worst experience into something good.” Cole got down on one knee. “There is no other person in the world I would want to spend my life with. Zoey Thomas, will you marry me?”
“Yes!” Zoey bent down, ignoring the ring, and wrapped her arms around Cole. She had tears running down her face.
Cole stood and captured her lips, wrapping his arms around her waist. When he pulled back, he put the emerald-cut diamond on her finger. “I love you, Zoey.”
Nathan
“I’m so happy for them,” Amanda said as she handed Nathan another beer. He’d gotten up and left the table to get a round of drinks and a few shots. He was happy for his brother, but he had so much anger inside, he was having a hard time showing it.
“He’s lucky he found someone who won’t stab him in the back.” Nathan took a swig of his new beer. “How about a shot with me?”
Amanda eyed him for a second before she poured two shots of cinnamon whiskey. He clinked her glass. “Here’s to being single.”
“At least you have a choice in the matter,” Amanda grumbled before downing the shot.
Cole watched the bartender for a moment. “You’re hot as fuck.”
“That’s mean.”
Nathan shrugged. “I don’t know why you think that’s mean. I think you’re pretty.”
“I thought you were making fun of me,” Amanda answered.
“Nope.” Nathan took another swig and watched her. “We all have scars… but you’re hiding something.”
“Why does everyone think I’m hiding something?”
“I don’t think. I know.”
Amanda narrowed her eyes. “I have nothing to hide.”
Nathan leaned against the bar and whispered, “Then why are you looking at flights back to the Russia?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Zoey seemed worried about you. So I’ve been watching you and I did some research. Last week, you booked a ticket back to Moscow.”
Amanda shrugged. “Vacation.”
“Bullshit. What if I said I could help you get your son back?”
“How?”
“You agree to be my wife, and I will get him back. You have three days to decide if you want to take my offer.”