Page 14 of Composed
Before I can gather my bearings, she seizes my wrist and hauls me up and out into the hall. “Girl. You and I are gonna have words about secrets.”
I frown. “What are you talking about?”
“You’ll see.” She drags me down the stairs two at a time and practically throws me at the door. . “Open it.”
I flit my eyes between the black wood and her. “I don’t know if I want to.”
Breaths choppy, she bends and plants her hands on her knees.
“Are you okay?” I curl a hand around her shoulder.
She jabs her finger into my chest and pushes me backwards. “Just open the door.”
“Okay, sheesh.” I curl my hand around the handle.
Here’s hoping the big secret isn’t that I’ve been hiding a serial killer in the fields. That would be hell on our insurance.
I tug the door open, watching Talia with an arched brow. “Now what?”
Her only response is a flick of her fingers.
I shake my head and follow her direction.
I'm about to turn back to her, only to freeze as honey brown eyes lock with mine.
Everything blurs.
I slam my eyes shut, so sure he’ll disappear the way he always does in my dreams when I reopen them.
He doesn’t.
I grip the doorframe with tense fingers.
Long, denim clad legs traipse across the gravel, eating the distance between us until he's right there—staring back at me as if ten years haven't passed since I last saw him.
The world tilts. “Cole?”
Cole Hayes stops just before me, his lips curled into a boyish grin. “Hey, Rixie.”
I open my mouth, but words don’t come.
I’ve imagined seeing him again up-close a thousand times over. But none of the images I can conjure up in my mind are even close to reality. He's broader than I remember. Once pale skin glistens gold under the autumn sunlight. Black and grey ink crawls wraps his neck, disappearing into his hoodie before reappearing on his hands.
Dressed in all black, he’s every dream I’ve ever had come to life.
Blood rushes my ears as my heart thunders.
I hug my cardigan tight around myself, clinging to it like a lifeline.
I try to think of something to say, but I can't look away from him long enough to gather my thoughts. “I…”
A lump forms in my throat.
Talia steps up behind me and invites him inside.
My head snaps her way, my brows rocketing upwards.
She only winks before stepping back and pressing her back to the reception desk.
