Page 31 of Hard Focus
Chapter Eight
Connie yawned, jaw opened wide until it cracked, the shock running through the joint. “Oh, man.” She barely got the words out, addressing an empty hallway, before she yawned again. It was barely seven, but she was exhausted and struggled to get the key into the lock on her door, blinking through bleary eyes until she was able to twist the key and open the door.
Standing just inside the apartment, she dropped her computer bag and purse, then toed off her shoes and shoved them under the side table where they wouldn’t be a trip hazard when Nelly got home. She’d gotten a text about an hour ago that her sister would be working even later tonight than Connie. Alden’s firm had taken on a new pro bono case, and it seemed Nelly had a knack for investigating whatever it was they were digginginto,because even Taylor had sounded in awe when he talked about Nelly’s persistence and success.
Connie yawned again, ending the motion with a quick headshake to try and throw off the tiredness that was riding her bones.
It had been weeks since she’d slept much, and what little she did manage to get wasn’t restful. Last night alone she remembered waking three separate times from nightmares. Dreams she couldn’t remember, but each time she rose to wakefulness feeling pursued by dark things inhabiting her sleep. It was wearing on her, and even Patty had noticed, asking her today if she planned to pack those bags under her eyes.
Connie drifted through the apartment, pausing for a moment in the kitchen, but everything she could think of for dinner took more effort than she felt worth it. Even eating a container of yogurt would require opening it, which meant exercising a level of physical dexterity she couldn’t muster. She was staring blankly at the closed pantry door, trying to dredge up the memory of what quick food options hid behind the smooth surface when someone knocked on her door.
Tipping her head back against the cabinet, Connie wondered who it could be, confusedly going through the short list of people who could get into the building without buzzing up. Another knock startled her,andshe realized how close she was to falling asleep on her feet. Yawning again, she made her way to the door and stared through thepeepholefor a long moment, not believing her eyes.
Connie opened the door and stood there, looking up into Cole’s face, shocked into silence.
He studied her for a moment, then shook his head and said softly, “Damn, you look tired.”
Shenoddedand then shook her head. “Sorry. Come in.” She stepped to one side, holding the door open for him. “What can I do for you, Mr. Stewart?”
“Call me Cole, please.” He paused opposite her and tugged the door out of her grip, closing it gently. “I just wanted to talk for a bit, but I can come back.”
“Talk—” Connie covered her mouth as she tried to suppress a yawn, blinking through the wetness it left in her eyes. “About what?”
“You know what? It doesn’t matter. I’ve caught you at a bad time.” He turned back to the doorandConnie suddenly didn’t want him to go, feeling a zinging pull of disappointed energy ripple through her at the idea.
“No, stay.” He looked at herandshe smiled. “Truly. I was trying to decide if eating was worth theenergy,but talking I can do. Come, sit.” She paused, then gave him what he’d asked for. “Cole.” He smiled at her, and Connie was nearly staggered by the wave of emotion flooding through her.He’s an interesting man, shethought,and returned the smile. “Would you like something to drink?”
“How about we do this, instead? Let me cook for you.” He started walking towards her kitchen. “You haven’t eaten, and neither have I. I’ll figure out something for supperandwe’ll chat over the meal. Sound good?”
“You don’t have to do that, Cole.” Her protest rolled off his wide shoulders without making animpact,because he kept walking. “Seriously. It’s late for dinner.”
“Yeah, but you said you were hungry. I like cooking, and I’ll get the pleasure of your company. In my mind, that’s a win-win.” He rounded the island and glanced around. “Pantry?” Bemused by his persistence, she pointed to the correct cabinetandhe opened the door, studying the contents for a moment. Nelly had been stocking the shelves for the past few weeks, and Connie watched as he pulled out one of the many box meals stacked there. He looked at her over the top of the container, then asked, “You got any chicken in the freezer?” She nodded.
Over the next half hour, he made himself at home in her kitchen, searching out pans and utensils while he waited for the chicken to defrost in the microwave, then cooking the meat in some concoction that smelled mouthwatering, conjured from what she had believed to be limited spices in her cabinets.
He added the chicken to the box contents, already simmering in a saucepan on the stovetop, and Connie decided to move the conversation past thebrief,polite exchanges they’d shared so far. “So, Cole. What did you want to talk about? You came here for a purpose, and it wasn’t to feed me.” She reached for the pan and laughed when he moved it out of reach. “Hey.”
“You’ll burn yourself.” He gave her a tiny grin. “I’m enjoying this, honestly.” The smile faded. “I got so caught up in having fun cooking for you, I forgot why I came.” Staring down at the pan, he slowly stirred it for a moment. “Give me a few more minutes before we go there, okay?” Cutting his gaze at her, he asked again. “Can you give that to me, Connie? A few more minutes spent just hanging out with a beautiful woman, and no agenda?”
“But there is an agenda, right?” He nodded, and she took a breath, disappointment settling in her chest. “Sure, we can take the time. Like you said, there’s time enough for serious talking when we’re done here.” She turned to the cabinets and took out her toaster. “It looks almost ready, I’ve got some French bread I can toast and butter. Sound good?”
“Yeah,” his response was soft, and she glanced to see him watching her with a grateful look on his face. “Sounds really good, Connie.”
For the next few minutes, they moved around the kitchen as if they’d always shared one. He slid behind her to get a plate out for the bread just before she was about to reach for one, and he had turned with his mouth open in an unspoken question to see she was holding out a serving bowl. Comfortable and easy, having him around felt like a boon after a long day, and she realized without his visit, she would likely have gone to bed withouteating,and felt even worse tomorrow.
Plates and silverware on the table, she watched him settle the bowl of savory-smelling food on top of the trivet she’d placed between the place settings only a moment before.As if we’ve done this a thousand times. Connie couldn’t ever remember doing this with Jonas, and that pulled her up short. She’d cooked breakfast for him occasionally, but their time together had never been infused with this kind of intimacy.
“We work well together,” Cole observed, and she smiled at how closely their thoughts were aligned.
“We do.” She placed the beer she’d grabbed for him on the table and laughed out loud when he shifted it to a coaster, sliding it closer to his plate. “Ready to eat?”
“I’m starved,” he said, but he was looking at her not the food,andthe flush of pleasure that raced through her at the gentle flirting was unexpected. Surprising, because since she’d broken up with Jonas, she hadn’t even looked twice at a man, but now this one standing here in front of her seemed bent on awakening urges and desires she’d tried to bury.
“Look,” she said softly, shaking her head slowly. “I’m probably misreading things, but I don’t want any misunderstandings here.”
“What, Connie?” His hands flexed around the back of the chair in front of him,andshe watched the muscles in his forearms move underneath his skin in a dance of controlled strength.
“I’m not in a place right now to…explore anything.” She tried for delicacy, stumbling over her words under the intensity of his gaze. He kept his gaze on her face, eyes tracking back and forth over her features. “You know, in case that’s what this is.” He swallowed,andshe bit her lips for a moment, shame and embarrassment flooding her face with red. “I got it wrong, didn’t I?”
