Page 15 of Composed
I stumble as Cole inches forward.
Pins and needles flood my fingers as I force myself away from the frame and out of his reach. Not that I’m expecting him to throw his arms around me or anything. I wouldn’t, in his shoes.
Drawing in a slow breath, I push every thought from my mind and focus on Talia as she commands the room.
“…a drink or anything?” Talia asks. “We’ve got tea, coffee, water, some Coke, I think. Only zero though. Hendrix doesn’t do sugar. Well, unless it’s in—”
“Tea. Two sugars, right?” Cole’s eyes flash mischievously.
Fucking butterflies stir to life in my veins.
“Exactly!” Talia shouts, gaze darting between us. “How do you know that?”
“Educated guess.” Cole glances at me, his back pressed to the wall, arms folded and ankles crossed, lips titled into a knowing smirk. “But no, no drink for me, thanks. I’ve gotta get on the road soon. I just need a word with Rixie, if that’s alright with you?”
Talia makes a noise.
I turn to her as she purses her lips, her expression wide.
Rixie, she mouths.
I lift a shoulder in a shrug, not nearly ready to get into the details surrounding the first and only time someone has given me a nickname.
Talia brushes her hands down her grey knitted sweater before pinning me with a piercing stare. “Hendrix, come find me when you’re done.”
I nod. “Will do.”
“Alright, I'll get out your hair, then.” She turns to Cole with a smile. “It was nice meeting you.”
“You too." He smiles.
Talia disappears up the stairs, leaving Cole and I alone.
I nibble at my cheek.
Cole turns back to me, his head tilted. “She seems nice. Friend?”
“Yeah, and my business partner.”
“Cool.” He nods.
Silence stretches between us, thick and suffocating.
I drum my fingers against my thighs, searching for something—anything—to say.
This isn’t how it’s supposed to feel. Not with him.Neverwith him. Guess I only have myself to blame for it. Still, it fucking stings.
“What—”
“Do you—”
We both break into laughter, and he gestures for me to go first.
My stomach swims. “Why are you here, Cole?”
“I just…” He tips his head back against the wall. “There’s something I want to ask you, but I think it might be best to do it without prying eyes.”
I follow his pointed stare to the stairwell. Talia is leaning against the top railing, her head poking over the side. She spots us, face dropping comically before she dips out of sight.
