Page 56 of Unbreakable Bonds (The Boston Romance #2)

But I barely hear her. My eyes keep scanning the crowd, hoping for a glimpse of him, dreading not finding one.

The bouquet he dropped catches my attention – such a beautiful declaration of love now scattered across the pavement, some petals already trampled by passing feet. The sight makes my heart crack.

"Alisha!" Amanda's voice cuts through my spiral. She's standing in the doorway of the store, gesturing urgently for me to come back. I take one last, desperate look down the street, my shoulders dropping in defeat as I realize he's truly gone.

Walking back to Amanda feels like moving through water, each step heavy with regret. Her face mirrors the ache in my chest.

"You saw what happened?"

She bites her lip and nods. The sympathy in her eyes breaks the last of my control, and tears spill down my cheeks. Amanda wraps me in a fierce hug, her embrace both comfort and anchor.

"Don't worry," she whispers against my hair. "When he comes back, you'll have time to explain, and he'll understand. Cole loves you."

I pull back, running trembling hands through my hair. God, I hope you're right. But the memory of his eyes – those warm blue eyes turned to ice – makes doubt curl cold and heavy in my stomach.

"Alisha?"

I turn to find Carmen holding the fallen bouquet, carefully gathered from the sidewalk. The flowers seem dimmer now, their beauty muted by circumstance.

"I'm genuinely sorry," she says, her voice thick with regret. "I never intended to cause trouble for you." She extends the bouquet, and I take it mechanically, my fingers brushing against the soft petals.

The stunning arrangement now feels like evidence of everything I might have just lost.

"I need to explain." The words come out shaky but determined as I stride into the store, laying the bouquet on the counter with trembling hands. I grab the store phone, punching in Cole's number from memory. Each ring echoes in my ear like a countdown.

"Fuck!" The curse slips out when his voicemail picks up. I close my eyes, trying to steady my voice. "Please call me back. I promise, things are not what they seem. I love you."

The words feel inadequate, but they're all I have. I end the call, releasing a long breath that does nothing to ease the tightness in my chest. The bell above the door chimes, and my head snaps up, hope flaring – but it's just customers, a young couple holding hands and browsing.

Amanda and I greet them automatically, years of retail experience taking over while my mind races with thoughts of Cole. The contrast between their obvious happiness and my current turmoil makes my throat tight.

"Why don't you go to the back and place the flowers in a vase?" Amanda suggests softly, her eyes full of understanding. "I'll handle the customers."

I nod gratefully, gathering the bouquet and retreating to the kitchen. My hands shake as I pull a crystal vase from the cabinet – the nice one we usually save for special occasions. The irony isn't lost on me.

Carmen follows me in, her heels clicking against the tile floor. "I'll try to call Jeremy." She digs through her designer bag, pulling out her phone. The hope that flares in my chest dies quickly when she lowers the device with a grimace.

"Sorry, he turned off his phone."

I turn back to the flowers, my fingers trailing over the velvety petals of a deep red rose. Each bloom was chosen with such care, such intention. Please, Cole, come back and let me explain.

The hours that follow are torture. Every chime of the door makes my heart jump. Every phone call that isn't from Cole chips away at my hope. By closing time, my nerves are frayed raw.

Amanda and I walk to our cars in silence, the parking lot already dark with evening shadows. The weight of Cole's silence sits heavy on my shoulders. Where is he? Is he alone, or is Jeremy with him?

A tap on my shoulder pulls me from my thoughts.

"Is Samantha home?" Amanda asks.

"Yeah, she texted me."

"Well, then I'm coming with you." Her tone brooks no argument.

"That's sweet, Amanda, but—"

"No buts." She cuts me off with fierce determination. "You need a friend, and I'm your friend. So let's go. We are going to order a delicious pizza that we can devour as we wait for Cole to return."

I'm too exhausted to argue, too grateful for her presence to pretend I want to be alone. As we get into our separate cars, Amanda waves through her window, and despite everything, a small smile tugs at my lips. Damn, I'm lucky to have such good friends.

The drive home feels endless, my mind replaying that moment in the diner over and over. The look in Cole's eyes. The flowers hitting the pavement. The silence that followed. Each replay brings fresh waves of anxiety, but underneath it all, a determination grows.

I won't lose him. Not like this. Not over a misunderstanding.

I just need him to give me a chance to explain.

The aroma of melted cheese and garlic fills my apartment as Samantha leans back in her chair, letting out an exaggerated groan. Her hand pats her stomach as she declares, "Oh god, I might burst. I'm never eating this much pizza again."

I watch her, grateful for these moments of normalcy despite the anxiety churning in my gut. Amanda's laugh breaks through my thoughts as she rises from her chair, dramatically slapping her behind.

"Guess skipping the gym is not an option this week," she sighs, pushing out her bottom in an exaggerated pose that makes both Samantha and me crack genuine smiles.

Amanda flops back into her chair, grinning. "Last night I ordered sushi for two, and afterward, I ate a bucket of Ben & Jerry's ice cream while watching Magic Mike ." She fans herself with her hand. "I love that movie."

"Why don't you ask Brian to help you stretch those ice cream muscles?" The teasing words slip out before I can stop them, a brief moment of lightness in the heavy evening.

Samantha's laughter mingles with mine as Amanda rolls her eyes, but the moment shatters as my phone suddenly chimes. My heart leaps into my throat as I practically launch myself across the room to grab it.

"Oh, thank God! It's him." My fingers tremble as I unlock the screen.

Amanda appears at my shoulder, her presence steady and supportive as she peers at the message. "What is he saying?"

The words on the screen make my breath catch: Meet me at the diner across from the store.

"He wants to meet," I whisper, hope and fear warring in my chest.

"So... Go!" Amanda's hands land on my shoulders, giving me a gentle shake. "I'll stay with Samantha."

"Are you sure?"

"Duh," she says, spinning me toward my room. "Go! Samantha and I are going to have girls' time."

I pull her into a quick, fierce hug before grabbing my purse. When I turn, Samantha is there, wrapping her arms around me. Her embrace reminds me so much of Cole it makes my heart ache.

"Did you and Cole have a fight?" she whispers, worry clear in her voice.

I pull back enough to meet her eyes, seeing so much of her father in her expression. "Don't worry, Sam. We had a misunderstanding, but I'm going to make it right. We just need to sit down and talk."

She studies my face for a moment before nodding, pressing a quick kiss to my cheek. "Okay. See you two later."

"Oh, and don't forget to put on your red lipstick!" Amanda calls out as I head for the door. "It's his kryptonite!"

A small laugh escapes me, but it fades quickly as I step into the hallway. My teeth worry my bottom lip as I walk to the elevator, my mind racing with all the things I need to say, all the ways I need him to understand.

The parking garage is eerily quiet this time of night, my heels echoing against the concrete as I walk to my car. As I slide behind the wheel, one question circles in my mind like a prayer: Will he forgive me?

I check my reflection in the rearview mirror, Amanda's words echoing in my head as I carefully apply the red lipstick. My hands are steady now, purpose replacing panic. I'm going to fix this. I have to.

Because a life without Cole's warmth, without his love, without his trust – that's not a future I'm willing to accept.