Page 11 of Cole

Annie turned back to their table and used one of her napkins to clean her hands, then lowered them to her lap. The elegant way she moved seemed at odds with what he knew of her so far. It was almost like she was an undercover queen who was slumming among the peasants.

But as far as he knew, there was no monarchy missing their queen. Or even missing a princess. But there was just something about her movements and interactions with them that gave her a regal air.

In some ways, she was very similar to Lexi. Maybe that was why the two of them were getting along so well.

Once they had all finished their ice cream, they decided to free up the tables, since the place had a fairly steady flow of customers.

As Annie got to her feet, she glanced around. “Oh. I see some friends. I’m just going to say hello really quick.”

Cole watched as Annie walked to a couple who sat at a table not far from theirs. The man had been there when they’d first arrived, but the woman had shown up shortly afterward.

The pair got to their feet, and each gave Annie a hug. The three remained standing, and when Annie turned to rejoin the group, the pair came with her.

“These are a couple of friends of ours,” Annie said. “Andrew and Dawn.”

They each greeted the pair, then they all moved outside to the sidewalk in front of the ice cream parlor. Cole wanted to talk more to Annie, but before he could edge closer to her, she and Benji were saying goodbye.

After they’d done that, the brother and sister walked down the sidewalk with their friends away from their group. Cole watched them go, only pulling his attention from them when he got a jab to his ribs.

“What’s that for?” Cole asked when he turned to see Aiden standing beside him.

“You’re staring.”

“I suppose I am,” he said, glancing over to see Annie disappear into the driver’s seat of a mid-size SUV.

Benji gave a little wave, which Amelia returned, then he slid into the passenger seat of what Cole assumed was his sister’s car.

“She isn’t your usual type,” Aiden said as he stood shoulder to shoulder with Cole, watching as Annie backed her car out of the angled spot she’d been parked in.

“I know. She’s just an interesting combination.”

“What do you mean?”

“She seems very… mannerly,” he said. “But also super casual, with her messy bun and everything.”

“I suppose.” Aiden shrugged.

“She just seems interesting.”

“Are we heading home?” Skylar asked, interrupting their conversation.

“Sure. Might as well,” Cole said. “Hanging out on the sidewalk isn’t my idea of a good time.”

“You might think otherwise,” Aiden said, nudging his arm. “If Annie was still here, too.”

“Maybe,” Cole conceded with a shrug. “But since she’s not…”

“What is going on with you and Annie?” Skylar asked, her attention fully on Cole.

“Nothing.”

“Ain’t that the truth,” Aiden said.

Cole rolled his eyes at the man, then turned to say goodbye to Wilder and Lexi. He let Aiden drive again, choosing instead to pull out his phone. Remembering what Annie had said about what she did for a living, he searched for the website she’d mentioned.

Butterfly Wings. He could immediately see why it would appeal to people wanting to buy stuff for their kids. It was a professionally designed site with plenty of options.

He knew nothing about children or women’s clothing, but he thought that his mom and the other women in the family might be interested in what she offered. He’d have to pass the information on to them.

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