Page 121 of Love Me Like You Do

“I am. I hear you, and I agree one hundred percent. It’s just that I know something you don’t.” His hands slid down her back and landed on her ass. “I’m a wolf, and you and the girls are my pack.”

She grinned. “I think we’re more like puffins, since they spend the winter apart. But I get it. We mate for life. So, the cabin?”

“Yep. But let’s not sign anything or tell them about it until we’re in the cabin. I want us to do it all together.”

In her studio, Hailey sat at her desk. She should be working. Instead, she was reeling from the email that had just come in.

It had taken Abbott’s of London weeks to get back to her, and it wasn’t the answer she’d hoped for.

They appreciated her ideas but would not be going forward with them. It would take a solid year to get a men’s line up and running, and they didn’t have the luxury of time. As for job security, they hadn’t yet made any decisions about the future of the company.

The timing was terrible. With the help of the Petticoat Rulers, she’d planned on launching her business in the next month or so, but now, she’d have to put that on hold. No way would she run through her savings on a start-up.

Yes, she knew she’d give up her studio in New York to live in Cole’s house rent-free. She knew he’d cover most of the family’s expenses, but she would never rely on him. She would always earn her own way and contribute to the family. That was an absolute.

She’d told her boss she planned on staying in Calamity and asked if she could work remotely, so she’d see what they had to say about that. But she had a feeling her time with Abbott’s was up.

And that was okay. Eventually, she’d figure out her next move. For now, she had a family birthday to plan. Nothing was more important than that. But before she searched home rental sites, she’d talk to Cole. He knew the area better.

When she came up the stairs, she’d expected to find Cole making dinner with the girls, but the kitchen was empty, and the house was quiet.

There was, however, a black leather carryon sitting on the floor by the back door.

Is he going somewhere?

She followed the sound of voices up the stairs where she found him in the girls’ bedroom, cuddled up with them on Paisley’s bed. They talked quietly, and it filled her with so much affection for him.

This is my family.

When Cole saw her, he got up and headed over. But he wasn’t smiling. He didn’t have that glimmer in his eyes that said,Mm, look at you. When do I get you all to myself?

And that scared her. When he reached her, he tipped his head toward the hallway, and they both stepped outside.

“I saw the luggage,” she said. “What’s going on?”

“Last night, Gavin, my second line center, got slammed into the boards. His shoulder’s dislocated, so I’ve got to get back.”

“To do what?” Give his team encouragement? “You can’t play for another two weeks.”

“I have no choice.”

“But it’s only been a month since surgery.”

“I’m fine.” His phone pinged, and he checked it. “Pilot’s ready. I’ve got to go.”

“Wait, did the doctor clear you to play? Because last I heard, you can do serious damage if you go back too soon.

“I’m fine. If I don’t go back, we won’t make the play-offs.”

Fear dug its sharp claw into her chest. “Okay.”

He must’ve heard her uneasy tone because he bent his knees to be eye-level with her. “Hey, it’s all right. We knew this was coming. It’s just two weeks earlier than we’d expected.”

“Right. True.” That should’ve made her feel better, but somehow, those two weeks had seemed like forever into the future. And now…

“Remember what I said about long distance? It only works if we communicate. If you keep things inside, you’re only going to resent me. I know this is sooner than we’d planned, but it alwayswasthe plan. So, tell me what’re you thinking.”

“I’m honestly not thinking anything.” It was true. Her mind was like a hive of activity, and she couldn’t grab a single, isolated thought.