Page 19 of Acting Merry
Reese
Cole grabsmy hand and brings it down to his lap. “Reese.” He waits until I look at him, his icy blue eyes locked on mine. For once, there’s no teasing twinkle in them. “It’s gonna be fine.”
“That’s easy for you to say. You don’t know these people, and in a few hours, you’ll never see them again. But these are my friends, Cole. And I’m lying to them.”
He puts the car in park and shifts his body toward me, my hand still resting in his. “You didn’t bring me here to lie to your friends. You brought me here foryou.To make sure you have a good time instead of trying to pretend you’re okay. Right?”
I nod.
“Focus on that. You said you told Hannah that you and I are a new thing. That part’s true. So, let’s lean into thatand have some fun together, okay? Worst case scenario, I fake that work emergency, and we bail.”
I take in a breath. I don’t know Cole very well, but if there’s one thing Idoknow about him, it’s that being with him is highly enjoyable. And I could use a gigantic dose of highly enjoyable to get me through the next few hours.
I breathe and let myself smile. “You’re right. Let’s have fun.”
He squeezes my hand, then lets it go. “If I sense you starting to spiral again, I’m gonna have to take drastic measures.”
“What sort of drastic measures?” I ask warily.
He cocks a brow and puts the car in drive.
“Cole,” I say. “What drastic measures?”
“Just focus on having fun with me, and you’ll never have to find out.”
Oh, boy.
He parks the car right next to Brady’s. So weird to see that car here and know he came with Megan in it.
With a big, calming breath, I go to the trunk to get the bag of stuff. Cole’s beat me to it and is already slipping the handle over his shoulder.
“You ready to have a good time, Reese’s Pieces?” He shuts the trunk.
My entire body lights up with a mixture of nerves and anticipation. “Let’s do it.”
We take the stairs together, my nerves building. Ihaven’t seen Brady since he broke things off with me. I’m so glad I’m not doing this alone.
Little as I know Cole, I feel confident he’s not going to let me make a fool of myself. He’s ready to enjoy himself, and I want to too. I just want to let go for tonight and embrace the unexpected.
I stop on the porch and turn toward him. “Thanks for doing this.”
“You’re welcome.” He reaches to my hair and guides it gently behind my ear.
I suck in a breath at the gesture.
“We have an audience,” he says softly as he looks into my eyes like he just stepped onto the set of a romcom.
I can’t help but steal a sidelong glance at the cabin, where I see Hannah’s blond head peeking around a curtain.
Cole’s mouth quirks upward. “Can you try to look less deer-in-the-headlights and a little more like you like me?”
I let out a laugh and wrap my arms around his neck. “Better?”
“Much better.” His eyes lock on mine, and his hands settle at my waist, warm and steady. “Should we give them something to remember?”
I have no idea who’s watching us, but just the thought that it might be Brady is enough for me to nod.
Cole’s eyes rove over my face for a few heart-thumping seconds, then drop to my lips.
