Page 64 of Cole

“Shouldn’t that be WAFs? Wives and fiances?”

Cole chuckled, thankful that the interaction hadn’t completely ruined the evening. “I’m sorry for your experience with Lisa and Megan.”

“Is that typical for them?”

“Those two are the closest of the significant others on the team. Where Lisa is, Megan is usually right beside her.”

“Are you close to the men they’re with?”

“They’re both good guys,” Cole said. “But I’m closer to other men on the team.”

Voices that had been distant began to grow louder, and Cole looked over to see if the people approaching were ones he knew. They ended up being strangers, though judging from their clothing, it was obvious they were part of the gala.

Once they’d moved on, Cole turned his attention back to the woman at his side. He didn’t want the evening to end, but he knew it couldn’t go on too much longer.

He and the team were flying out the next day for the first game of a series of away games. But they’d be having a practice in the morning first. So these hours with Annie would be his last for awhile.

“Thank you so much for coming out to spend the last couple of days with me.” Cole reached out to take Annie’s hand and, feeling how chilly her fingers were, took both in his hands to warm them up. “I’ve never enjoyed a gala as much as I’ve enjoyed this one.”

The soft glow of the lights strung throughout the garden cast a gentle illumination over Annie’s features. He’d meant what he’d said earlier about her being beautiful.

Megan and Lisa had been right in stating that she wasn’t the usual type of woman he brought to events that required he have a date. However, he wasn’t looking at this as a one-time thing. He hoped that this was going to be the first of many. She was now the only date he ever wanted for any future events.

“I’ve enjoyed it too,” she said, her fingers tightening around his. “Meeting people who obviously think highly of you. Seeing you in two very different environments. Watching you thrive on the court and also fit in so well in a tuxedo.”

“So, would you come back again for another event?”

Her hesitation puzzled him, but then she nodded. “If I can make it, I’d definitely come back.”

“Maybe Benji, Dawn, and Andrew could come with you for another weekend in LA.”

Annie gave a soft laugh. “You won’t have to ask Benji twice. I think if I came and didn’t bring him, he wouldn’t talk to me for weeks.”

“If that was true about one of my siblings, I think I’d happily leave them behind.”

Laughing, Annie leaned forward to rest her forehead on his shoulder. Cole let go of her hands and wrapped his arms around her.

He loved that they could talk about boring and mundane things, as well as more significant topics. But by far, their moments of laughter were among his most favorite. Especially when he was the one making her laugh.

“I’m going to miss you,” he murmured against her hair.

“I’m going to miss you, too.”

“I’d say I wish you didn’t have to go, but since I have to leave too, I still wouldn’t have you around.”

“Do significant others travel with the team ever?”

“Some do, but they don’t travel on the charter with us, and they stay apart from us. The coaches want no distractions.”

Annie shifted to look up at him. “Would I be a distraction? You still played really well when I came to your game last night.”

Cole chuckled. “Maybe I was trying to impress you.”

“You don’t have to impress me, Cole,” Annie said. “I was already impressed before we ever met. And getting to know you hasn’t changed that. In fact, being here with you tonight has impressed me even more.”

“But you know that I’m more than just a wealthy basketball player, right?” Cole asked.

She hadn’t struck him as a person who was swayed by his fame and fortune. It was one of the reasons why he was so comfortable with her. He felt like she had been quite open with him, and he didn’t sense any ulterior motives from her.

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