Page 67 of Cole

“I’m sorry about the interruption back there,” he said softly, taking her hand again.

Annie smiled, the passing streetlights casting alternating patterns of light and shadow across her face. “It’s part of your job. I understand.”

The driver navigated through the late-night LA traffic, the city lights blurring past the tinted windows. Inside the car, a comfortable quiet settled between them. This silence felt like a conversation of its own—filled with shared glances and the gentle pressure of her hand in his.

“How did you find meeting the coach’s wife?” Cole asked.

Annie laughed softly. “She made a point of telling me how refreshing it was to see you with someone who—and I quote—‘seems to have an actual conversation with you rather than just hanging on your arm.’”

“She said that?” Cole grinned. “She doesn’t mince words. Been with the team longer than most of the players.”

“It was nice to meet her,” Annie said. “She seems like a lovely person.”

As they approached her hotel, Cole felt an unsurprising reluctance to let her go settling in his chest.

“What time do you fly out tomorrow?” he asked as the limo slowed to a stop.

“Around ten.”

Cole had hoped to see her again, though he’d known it was likely not possible between morning practice and the team’s own departure. “My practice starts at eight, then we’re wheels up by one.”

The driver opened the door, and the sounds of the city filtered into their quiet bubble. Cole stepped out first, then offered his hand to help Annie. They walked slowly through the hotel lobby, neither seeming eager to reach the elevators.

The elevator arrived with a soft chime. They stepped inside, and Cole pressed the button for her floor. As the doors closed, he found himself studying her profile, trying to memorize the curve of her cheek, the exact shade of her eyes in the elevator’s harsh lighting.

“What?” she asked, noticing his gaze.

“Just trying to remember everything about tonight,” he admitted. “So I can replay it when I’m in some hotel room across the country.”

Annie’s cheeks flushed slightly at his words, but she tugged him out of the elevator when it reached her floor.

The hallway was quiet, the late hour ensuring their privacy. Cole leaned down, drawn to her like a compass finding north. This kiss was different from the one in the garden.

Deeper, more certain, a promise rather than a question. Annie’s hands found their way to Cole’s shoulders, and she rose slightly on her toes to meet him.

When they separated, Cole rested his forehead against hers, unwilling to put any more distance between them than necessary.

“I wish we had more time,” he whispered.

“Me too,” Annie replied, her fingers lightly tracing the collar of his shirt. “But we’ll have phone calls. And texts.”

“And video chat,” Cole added. “So I can actually see you.”

They reached her door all too soon. Annie slipped the key card from her clutch and unlocked it, but didn’t push it all the way open immediately. Instead, she turned back to face him.

“Tonight was perfect,” she murmured. “Thank you.”

Cole tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, his touch lingering. “I’ll call you tomorrow after we land.”

“I’ll be waiting.”

He leaned down for one more kiss, gentle and sweet. “Goodnight, Annie.”

“Goodnight, Cole.”

He waited until she was safely inside before reluctantly turning away, wishing he had a definite date for when they’d see each other again. As he walked back toward the elevator, Cole found himself doing something he’d been doing more of lately—offering up a quiet prayer of gratitude for the unexpected blessing that had come into his life.

In the quiet of the hallway, he felt a sense of peace settle over him. Whatever was starting between them felt right in a way nothing else had before. Distance and time apart would be a challenge, but Cole was no stranger to overcoming obstacles. And something told him that Annie was worth fighting for.