Page 6 of I Wish I Would’ve Warned You (Forbidden Wishes #3)

COLE

I draw my drapes shut to block out any glimpses of my new floor mate. Then I set up an easel against the wall and tear off the first online commission request from today:

I want you to paint a pic of me lying on my back in the ocean against the tide with some starfish and turtles. Can you make me look thinner plz? And then can you make my eyebrows look less bushy and make my swimsuit black instead of pink? Thanx!

I mutter a curse under my breath.

The price of being an artist is painting other people’s fantasies until I can afford to create my own. That—and surviving my father one more goddamn summer.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

I don’t move. I prep my mixing bowls instead.

“Cole?” My dad steps in, shutting the door behind him. “I know you heard me knocking.”

“I did.”

“So, why didn’t you answer?”

“I was going to call you later.”

“What I want,” he says, narrowing his eyes, “is for you to come down to the garden and have dinner with me and everyone else.”

“Not happening.”

“Cole—”

“We made a deal,” I cut him off. “One summer of pretending to play your perfect son in exchange for a lifetime of bullshit and what you pulled last fall. I show up to your fake events, smile for your fake friends, and in return, you leave me the hell alone.”

He says nothing. Just stands there like he’s got something to say, but knows it won’t hold weight.

“You can close the door on your way out,” I say. “Thanks.”

“It would mean a lot to me if you came to dinner.”

“Still not an incentive.”

“I like Heather,” he says. “It’s serious.”

“You just met her.”

“When you know, you know.”

Right. That’s his whole brand— Family Over Everything. Ironic.

“Is this one new?” he asks, nodding toward a canvas I finished last week.

“No.”

“It’s good,” he mutters. Then after a beat: “Think about how you’d feel if you were Emily. New place. New people. Potential stepbrother being an ass for no reason.”

The word stepbrother makes me drop one of my brushes. Just hearing it should kill any thought I’ve had about her.

It doesn’t.

“I give up,” he says, throwing up his hands and storming out.

I close the door behind him and repeat that word a few times in my head.

Stepbrother.

An hour later

I set a timer on my phone and head to the garden.

Once, it used to be the only place I liked on this property. Now? It’s just another set for my father’s fiction.

I drop into a seat directly across from Emily.

“Oh my god, Cole!” Taylor’s voice hits before I even register she’s here. She plops down beside me, all smiles and cleavage. “I can’t believe you’re actually here this summer!”

“That makes two of us.”

“Cole and I used to spend every summer here,” she says to Emily. “Everyone thought we were gonna get married someday.”

“You need a Wall Street guy to afford your habits,” my dad says. “And you’re not even into Cole.”

The table laughs. I don’t.

Taylor’s never been into anyone who wanted her back. I’ve lost count of how many times she’s ‘accidentally’ flashed me or tried grinding her drunk ass into my lap.

“I’m giving Heather a tour of the town tomorrow,” My dad says to Emily, smiling. “Want to come with?”

“Sure,” Emily says. “That sounds nice.”

“Heather tells me you two do everything together,” my dad adds. “Just want you to know you’re included in anything we do.”

“We definitely do everything together,” Emily says coolly, sipping her water.

Something in her tone flicks a switch. There’s tension there. I don’t know if her mom catches it—but I do.

“Dinner is served,” Ramen, the part-time chef, announces, placing down the first of many trays.

While my dad launches into his favorite story—how he bought this house—I watch Emily, trying to read the undercurrent between her and her mom.

“You’re the Family Values guy,” Emily says suddenly. “From the Family Over Everything podcast.”

“Shhh,” Heather blushes. “He doesn’t like to talk about that.”

Bullshit.

“I don’t mind.” He beams. “Are you a fan?”

“I’ve seen a few clips,” she says, polite but neutral. “You’ve published a lot.”

“I’ll show you my library later,” he says. “There’s a new release I’ve been teasing. Going to be a surprise drop later this season. It’s about?—”

I tune out.

If his followers knew half the shit he’s pulled behind the scenes, they’d drop him overnight.

“There’s a big beach fest this weekend,” Taylor says as dessert lands. “Bonfires, music, a ridiculous pie-eating contest. You should come with me.”

“I’m not really into parties…”

“Oh, come on. You’ll love it.” Taylor leans closer to me. “Cole, tell her how much fun it is.”

I meet Emily’s gaze for the first time all night.

“I think you’d have more fun staying home.”

Taylor groans. “Ignore him. All the hottest guys will be there. Maybe even some celebs. The vibes are unreal.”

“Can I go?” Heather asks.

Taylor wrinkles her nose. “It’s not really for the… older crowd. No offense.”

Heather laughs like it’s cute. It’s not.

I check the timer on my phone. Four minutes left.

When I glance back, Emily’s staring at me—like she wants to say something but won’t.

“Thank you for dinner, Mr. Dawson.” Taylor rises, linking her arm with Emily’s. “Since Cole’s going to keep being rude, let’s go test out your new heated pool.”

Emily shoots her mom a look. Her mom mouths, A new friend. Go.

She stands, and that’s when I notice.

She’s changed.

The jeans she had on earlier are gone. Now it’s tiny white shorts that cling to her thighs like they were painted on. They peek out beneath a loose, flowy blue shirt—but they’re barely there.

“You’re welcome to join us, Cole,” Taylor says, lowering her voice as she passes. “I’ll skinny dip just for you…”

“I’m good,” I say without moving. “Thanks.”

“Suit yourself.” She tugs Emily along like a prize.

My dad rises with Heather and claps me on the shoulder.

“Thanks for coming down, Cole. I appreciate it.”

I nod, eyes locked on Emily’s disappearing legs.

I stay seated. Because the sight of those shorts just made my cock stiff—and there’s no way I’m standing up right now.

This is going to be a long-ass summer.