Page 25 of The Truth of Loving You

“I’m Lisa. Nice to meet you.” She gave me a little wave since my hands weren’t free.

“Lisa owns the place.” Cole gestured to the deli.

“It’s fantastic,” I said.

Before Lisa responded, Cole said, “He lives in the city. You can save your pitch about weekly lunch specials.” He affectionately pulled her closer.

“How do you know my boy?” Lisa asked.

Cole went rigid, so I opted for a partial truth. “He tattooed me.”

Cole visibly relaxed, and I tried to figure out their relationship.

“What is going on over here?” Sara stormed toward us with fire in her eyes.

“Sara,” I said in warning.

It never occurred to me that my overprotective sister would run into Cole again.

She stood between us with her feet shoulder width apart and her fists on her hips. With Isaac in my arms, I was handicapped.

Sara pointed a finger at Cole. “I know what you did to him.”

Cole reared back as if Sara had slapped him. His eyes shot to mine, and I shook my head. Sara absolutely did not know what Cole and I had done.

“And you made him walk to Brooklyn!”

“You walked,” Cole inhaled deeply, “to Brooklyn,” he said with a dip in his voice that sounded like regret.

Isaac decided he did not enjoy the angry tones and woke up wailing.

“Sara, don’t.”

My sister was about to start a tirade as she held her arms out for Isaac.

I held him tight and said, “I’m only giving him back if you promise to walk away.” Her stare was murderous. “I’m serious. I’m going to talk to Cole, and you’re leaving.”

Stiffly, she nodded, I handed over Isaac, and she marched up the sidewalk back to the restaurant.

Lisa cleared her throat. “I’ll meet you at the house later.” Her eyes ping-ponged between us as the tension got higher. She stretched up and Cole dutifully bent as she kissed his cheek. “Be nice.”

She gave me a small smile before following Sara’s path.

“You walked all the way to Brooklyn.” Cole brought my attention back to him.

“I did not tell her anything about that night,” I explained in a rush. “I was upset and she assumed some things, and I didn’t correct her. Eventually, I’ll tell her the basics. She’s my best friend, but I never thought...”

There were so many things I never thought, so I didn’t know how to finish that sentence. And I should not explain Sara’s anger to Cole.

Cole studied me, and I fought the urge to insist he tell me what to do so I wouldn’t have to navigate this conversation. My discomfort won out. “What do you want?”

“To talk.” Cole’s shrug feigned nonchalance. “I tried to return your clothes after you blocked me, but you weren’t home.”

“Are my clothes being held for ransom?” My lips twitched at the thought of Cole clinging to my clothes.

“A man’s gotta use what he’s got.” Cole’s face softened when he smirked. “What do you want? I’ll give you whatever, but I need to apologize.”

I held up my hand to tell him to stop, but I reconsidered my strategy. “I want the painting in your living room. The metal one.”

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