Page 79 of Cole

Annie wondered briefly if maybe he had talked to Cole already, which is why he was acting different.

A pit opened in the bottom of Annie’s stomach. If he had, what would that mean for her and Cole?

“You need to tell him, sis.” Benji rested his elbows on the edge of the coffee table. “He needs to hear it from you.”

“What if it changes everything?” Annie’s voice was barely above a whisper. “What if he can’t handle it?”

Benji picked up his icing bag and began to outline another tree. “Then he’s not the man we thought he was. You won’t know for certain until you tell him.”

Annie knew Benji was right. But the reality she couldn’t ignore was that her dad’s wealth did make her a target, and it could make Cole one, too.

“How do you plan to tell Amelia?” Annie asked, wondering if their dad was giving Benji as many hassles about his girlfriend as he was Annie about Cole.

“Dad has forbidden me from saying anything to her about it,” Benji said with a frown. “He’s certain that she won’t be someone I keep in my life long term. So he doesn’t want her to know.”

“I’m convinced Dad wants us to let him pick out the perfect spouse for us.”

“I think so too,” Benji said. “It’s probably why Julian is still single and dating anything in a skirt.”

Annie rolled her eyes at the mention of their older brother.

“Julian’s dating habits have nothing to do with Dad’s control issues,” Annie said, though she wasn’t entirely convinced of that herself. “He’s just… Julian.”

“True,” Benji conceded, carefully placing silver balls along the edge of his cookie. “But you have to admit, it’s not a coincidence that the only one of us who’s completely public about his identity is also the one who refuses to settle down.”

Annie couldn’t argue with that logic. Their eldest brother lived his life defiantly in the spotlight, seeming to relish the attention their father so desperately wanted the rest of them to avoid.

“I just wish…” Annie trailed off, staring at the half-decorated cookie in her hand.

“Wish what?”

“That I could be normal. That I could fall in love without all this… complication.”

Benji’s expression softened. “Is that what this is? Love?”

Annie felt heat rise to her cheeks. She hadn’t said those words aloud yet, not even to herself. “I don’t know. Maybe. I’ve never felt anything like this before.”

Her phone buzzed again, and both siblings glanced at it. Cole had finally responded.

Cole:Meeting was tough. Coach wasn’t happy with our defense. Sorry I haven’t been more available lately.

Annie read the message twice, searching for clues to his mood. It felt formal, distant.

“You should call him,” Benji suggested, reading over her shoulder.

“No, he’s probably busy with team stuff.” Annie set the phone down without responding.

It’s no problem. I know your road trips are busy. Hope you’re getting rest.

It barely scratched the surface of what she wanted to say to him, but she couldn’t seem to find the words, given the uncertainty she felt.

Putting her phone aside again, she focused on her cookies. They worked in companionable silence for awhile, the only sounds the crackling fire and occasional clink of icing tools against plates. Christmas music played in the background, as it had all throughout the day.

“Do you remember much?” Benji asked suddenly. “About… before?”

Annie didn’t need clarification. “Bits and pieces. More feelings than actual memories. Sometimes I dream about her. Angelica.” The name of her twin sister felt strange on her tongue—they rarely spoke of her directly. “I wonder if we’d still look alike. If we’d finish each other’s sentences. If we’d be close or competitive.”

“Dad hired another investigator last year,” Benji said quietly. “I overheard him talking to Mom about it.”

---