Page 66 of Cole

Annie shifted slightly, her shoulder pressing against his. “I was just thinking about how unexpected this all is. A few weeks ago, you were just a basketball player my brother talked about constantly. And now…”

“Now?” Cole prompted when she didn’t continue.

She turned to face him, her eyes searching his. “Now you’re Cole. Not just the basketball star, but someone who makes me laugh, who listens when I talk, who notices when I’m uncomfortable in a crowd.”

The sincerity in her voice made his heart beat faster. Cole had dated women who were attracted to his fame, his money, his status—but Annie looked at him like she saw beyond all that, to the person he sometimes forgot existed beneath the jersey.

“I like being that person for you,” he said softly. “And I like who I am when I’m with you.”

Annie’s smile was gentle in the golden light. “Me too.”

The confession hung between them, weighted with possibility. Cole felt drawn to her, pulled by something deeper than physical attraction. He leaned forward slightly, giving her time to pull away if she wanted.

She didn’t.

Their lips met softly, tentatively. Cole kept the kiss gentle, one hand coming up to cup her cheek. When they separated, Annie’s eyes remained closed for a moment longer, her expression peaceful.

“I’ve been wanting to do that all night,” Cole confessed.

Annie’s eyes fluttered open, a smile playing at her lips. “Me too.”

A chime from Cole’s phone interrupted the moment. He reluctantly checked it, finding a text from his teammate Marcus:Where’d you disappear to? Coach is looking for you.

Cole sighed. “Duty calls. Coach is making the rounds, wants all players present for the final thank-yous.”

Annie nodded, understanding in her eyes as she stood and slipped his jacket from her shoulders to return it. “We should get back.”

Cole took the jacket but caught her hand before she could step away. “This feels like the beginning of something important, Annie. Not just a weekend in LA.”

Her expression softened. “I feel that too.”

“Good,” he said, brushing one more quick kiss against her lips before they headed back toward the lights and noise of the gala.

The walk back to the ballroom felt different somehow, as if something fundamental had shifted between them. Cole’s handstayed firmly entwined with Annie’s, his thumb occasionally brushing across her knuckles in a gesture that felt both casual and intimate.

As they approached the entrance, the sounds of the gala grew louder. Cole felt Annie’s grip tighten slightly.

“Ready to face the crowd again?” he asked.

She nodded, but she didn’t let go of his hand.

Inside, the event was winding down. Groups of elegantly dressed attendees were saying their goodbyes, while others lingered near the bar for one last drink. Cole was immediately spotted by the team’s head coach.

“There you are, Halverson.” The coach beckoned them over. “Need you for the final toast and donor acknowledgments.”

Cole nodded respectfully. “Be right there, Coach.” He turned to Annie, his expression apologetic. “This shouldn’t take long. Will you be okay for a few minutes?”

“I’ll be fine,” she assured him, releasing his hand. “Go do your thing. I’ll wait over here for you.”

Cole hated to leave Annie on her own, but the sooner he went, the sooner he’d be done and back at her side.

He kept an eye on her as he joined the others on the stage, wanting to make sure she wasn’t harassed by anyone. Now that the alcohol had been flowing for awhile, anything was possible.

When he saw Coach’s wife approach her, he relaxed a little. The woman was highly respected, and she’d make sure no one was rude to Annie.

Thankfully, the closing of the gala didn’t take long, and Cole was soon back with Annie. After saying goodbye to the people he knew that were still there, Cole took Annie’s hand and led herfrom the ballroom and out to the front where their limo waited along with several others.

Once they were settled in the back of the limo, Cole turned to Annie.

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