Page 26 of Love Me Like You Do

Aging Movie Star: Sure, but aren’t we talking about the same woman who moved out of town about five minutes after you took her on a date? I have resources but getting that woman to like you is beyond even my means.

He sent a few crying and wincing emojis, but for all the hijinks Cole had pulled over the years, he’d given his dad a permanent pass on giving him shit.

Cole: We’re actually getting along okay. Looks like the old Montgomery charm might be working.

Aging Movie Star: Now, I’m really worried. Sounds like that concussion’s really bruised your brain. Look, the charm didn’t work ten years ago, and now that she’s got some life under her belt, it’s gonna be even less effective.

Cole: Thanks, Dad!

Aging Movie Star:Anytime, Son!Hey, listen. We should wrap in the next week or so, which means I’ll be home for Christmas. I’ll fly straight to Boston and catch a few games.

His dad had always made a big deal out of holidays and birthdays, taking him on wild adventures. Cole had truly seen the world.

But he’d never—not once—had a traditional Christmas.

Cole: Sounds good. But come to Calamity.

Hailey and I are going to go all-out for the girls.

Aging Movie Star: Sounds good. I’ll do that. And let me know how I can help. You talk to Deborah yet?

His dad had sent him the number of a therapist he’d dated years ago. The woman had been invaluable.

Cole: Yep. She’s retired but said she’s here for me when I need her. She’s good.

Aging Movie Star: Glad to hear it. My manager will send presents, but longer term, he can buy a house for them, hire a couple of nannies.

Cole: For now, they’re going to stay here. Hopefully, the PI will come through for us with a good family.

Aging Movie Star: And if not?

Cole: One step at a time…

Aging Movie Star: Got it. Okay, they’re calling my name. ‘Night.

With Christmas ten days away, he had to get going. Starting tomorrow, he’d have a fire in the hearth, decorations everywhere, a tree lit up… He’d look up how to make sugar cookies and shit like popcorn garlands.

Just thinking about it yanked his heart into a painful knot. He’d always known he led a privileged life—the chef, the drivers, nannies, jets, yachts. He knew he wasn’t like other kids. But where Jaime had envied Cole’s freedom and money, Cole had longed for the classic father who grounded him for not doing his chores and the mother who helped him with his science projects.

Shipping this late might be an issue, so he’d better start ordering presents. With no clue what kids their age would like, he typed the question in the search bar.Toys for Six-Year-Olds.He’d just get one of everything recommended.

Right when he’d put ten things in his cart, Hailey came up to the counter armed with plates. “You missed out on a delicious dinner.” She stuck out her neon orange tongue to let him know she was kidding. “At least their bellies are full. What’re you doing?”

He turned the screen toward her.

It took her a moment to figure it out. “You’re buying presents?”

“Yeah, I figured we should start ordering now, so things get here in time.”

“But we don’t even know what they like. Or what they already own.” She shut off the faucet. “Speaking of which, I saw their garbage bags.”

“Yeah, that was awful. I went to pick them up, and the neighbors handed them to me. They said something about grabbing what they could.”

“Do you think we can go to their house? There must be important documents, baby books—”

“Chase got all that, but yeah, I’ll ask him if we can get in there.”

“Good, because even if they don’t know it now, they might want their mom’s favorite necklace or their dad’s baseball hat. You know?”