Page 36 of Don't Leave
I shift my attention away from the room as an older man who looks to be about fifty or so, walks into the foyer. A heartfelt smile curves his lips upward and it instantly eases my frazzled nerves as he stretches out a hand for me to shake.
“Hi, you must be Cassidy. It’s nice to meet you. We’re so pleased you were able to join us for dinner.”
He pumps my hand so enthusiastically that I’m unable to stop the small smile from creeping its way across my face. A moment later, he turns to Cole and claps him warmly on the back.
Cole’s gaze darts around before settling on his stepfather. “Where’s mom?” His brows draw together. “Is she here?”
Thomas runs a hand through his thinning gray hair. “She was called into work about thirty minutes ago. But you know your mother, she had everything prepared ahead of time or we’d be ordering a pizza. Everything is in the oven and should be ready in an hour or so. I would imagine that she’ll be back by then as well.” He waves us into the living room. “Come and sit down. Can I get either of you something to drink?”
Cole takes the flowers from my hand. “Sit down, Thomas. I’ll put these in a vase and grab a couple of waters.”
His stepdad smiles after him as he walks away. Once he’s certain that Cole is in the kitchen, rifling around in the refrigerator, Thomas leans toward me with a mischievous grin as if we’ve been friends for years. Oddly enough, that’s exactly the way it feels.
“Did you two come up with a signal if this dinner looks like its heading south?”
My eyes widen as my mouth tumbles open. “Um, no.” Heat gathers in my cheeks until it feels like I’ll self-combust.
How could he have possibly guessed that?
No…seriously.
“Guggenheim,” Cole yells from the kitchen.
I bury my face in my hands, embarrassed that he just outed me within five minutes of meeting his stepdad.
As soon as we leave, I’m going to kill him.
Thomas chuckles as Cole returns to the living room with a wide grin curving his lips and his dimples popping. It’s probably the only thing that saves him from being a crime scene victim later this evening.
I give him the evil eye and mutter, “I hope you enjoy the dinner your mom made because it’s going to be your last.”
His chest rumbles with barely suppressed laughter as he offers me a bottle of water. When I yank it from him, he leans over and brushes a soft kiss against my lips.
I feel the curve of his mouth pressed against mine as he whispers, “Don’t be mad, I’ll make it up to you later.”
The guy has the audacity to wink at me.
In front of his stepdad.
Could I be more embarrassed?
Nope. Don’t think so.
“You won’t be able to make anything up to me later because you’ll be dead,” I grumble, attempting to shove him away from me.
My death glare has zero effect on Cole, because he practically plunks himself down on top of me before grabbing my hand and dragging it onto his lap as if for safekeeping.
His stepdad beams as he watches our interaction.
It takes about twenty minutes or so for me to loosen up and enjoy myself. No one is more surprised than me when the next hour flies by with lots of amusing stories about Cole growing up. It’s nice to see Cole with his stepdad. You can tell by their effortless banter how much they enjoy each other’s company.
Then again, Cole is so easy to get along with. He has such a chill, laidback personality. On top of that, he’s a nice guy. Inmy limited experience, there aren’t too many of those floating around.
As Cole and Thomas discuss the upcoming hockey season, I can’t help but take in everything about him. From his disheveled hair and gorgeous, golden-brown eyes to his lopsided smile and broad shoulders that are chiseled perfection. His chest is droolworthy and those rock-hard abs are totally dreamy.
I should probably stop with the mental inventory because I’m kind of getting turned on and that’s not good for business.
His ex may want him back, but she isn’t going to get him. She might have been foolish enough to break his heart, but I won’t be making the same mistake. I understand what I have in Cole, and I plan on holding onto him with both hands.
