Page 36 of Riding the High

True, but you said yes so what’s that say about you?

Six o’clock, don’t be late.

VIXEN

You better be feeding me.

Title of your sex tape.

VIXEN

So yes?

Yes I will feed you.

VIXEN

Happy and fed wife, happy life.

I smirk and put my phone in my pocket. I look up to find Bev eyeing me carefully from the other side of the desk.

“You have an awful gooey look on your face,” she notes, closing her notebook and placing her pen on top, “which I’m hoping means you’re going to take my advice. I like you, Cole, and I don’t want that jackass for a boss.” She nods her head to the left, where Brent’s corner office sits three doors down.

I stand, put my hat back on and grin at her.

“Time will tell, and thanks, Bev. You’re an angel,” I add before heading out the door. My plan circulates and grows as I go back to my own office. Because, suddenly, I feel creative as fuck.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Ginger

Idon’t even get the chance to knock on Cole’s glass front door before Mabel is pulling it open at 6:05, squealing my name and attaching herself to my leg immediately.

“Did you bring me another piece for my garden kit?” she asks, her eyes that match her dad’s glimmering with excitement.

“Mabes, don’t ask someone if they bought you a gift,” Cole calls from the kitchen. His space is open, aside from a half-wall, so I can see him puttering around, popping dinner ingredients on platters. The house is always cozy and tidy but could use a bit of help in the décor department. A few generic scenic prints hang on the walls, and there’s a large sculpture over the living room sofa which Cole made in his senior year of high school. The floors are rustic barnwood, and fishing and sports magazines line the wrought-iron coffee table in front of the overstuffed sofa. Through the back window, maple trees frame the yard and, beyond that, Sugarland Mountain creates a breathtaking backdrop.

“Of course I did,’ I say, winking at her and pulling the newest addition to her kit out of my bag. “This one’s a flower press,” I tell her. “We’ll have to do it together, but any flowersyou see that you want to preserve from the garden can go in here. Once we press them, you can keep them forever.”

This kid is always outside, and has been collecting rocks, bugs as pets, sticks, greenery and flowers for the last year. She’s a child after my own heart. I was the same when I was young.

“I want to plant some flowers. Daddy doesn’t know how to grow things.”

“Hey, that’s not fair. I didn’t kill the succulent Nana gave you,” Cole says as he rounds the corner from the kitchen.

“That’s ’cause you don’t ever have to water it!” Mabel retorts. He shrugs, and I smile at their adorable dynamic.

Maybe it’s the new-husband factor, or the dad factor, or some combination of both, but tonight, Cole looks way too good. He’s tanned, clean-shaven, and the color of his blue t-shirt against his amber eyes makes him look just about perfect. But the best part of Cole’s getup? The grilling apron he’s wearing that says “Grillmasters Motto: It’s not burnt, it’s flavor.”

I run my hand down Mabel’s hair.

“Go easy on him. He’s a busy guy, your dad,” I say, “Besides, it’s not his fault he’s terrible at taking care of plants.” She laughs as I tweak her chin, and Cole grunts at my insult. “Why don’t you show me where you want to grow flowers?”

Her eyes light up and she takes my hand, leading me toward the yard.

“Nana said maybe she can help me. Sometimes her back bugs her though.” Mabel rambles as we head through the back door. Cole follows.

“Been meaning to get on that garden. We’ll do it this summer, okay Mabes?” he says, keeping pace behind us.

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