Page 64 of Chasin' Cole

"Lacey," I swallow hard. "She didn't tell me either."

I step aside to let him in. He brushes past me with a duffel bag clenched in his hand.

My heart hammers in my chest from how good he smells. He still smells the same. The same musky cologne. A hint of birch.Cole. My Cole. No, not your Cole anymore.

I close the door and lock it before paddin' over to the kitchen and grabbin' a mug from the cabinet. I pour Cole a cup of hot apple cider.

He drops his bag by the hallway as I lean against the kitchen counter, holdin’ the mug in my hand. He slowly makes his way over to me. I hold out the apple cider and our fingers graze. A warmth I haven't felt in a year settles over my chest.

"How was your trip?" I ask.

Cole takes a sip, his eyes never leavin' my face. "It was good. Long, but good."

"I'm glad to hear that."

"We finished two weeks early. That's why I'm home for New Years," Cole explains as he sets the mug on the countertop.

I lean back against the cool counter and grip the edge with my fingers. "That's great."

He takes a step closer. "What have you been up to?"

"I bought a house," I tell him as he takes off his jacket. My eyes rake over his toned chest, visible through the cotton material of his shirt.

"Really?" Cole gives me a genuine smile.

"Three and a half acres and a barn, too," I add.

As he lays the jacket on the counter, he asks, "How's the boarding business?"

"Good," I wrap my arms around my midsection. "My friend, Jordan, is helpin' me with a website."

"That's nice of her," Cole moves closer again.

"Him," I correct.

There's a slight tick in his jaw he tries to hide by runnin' his fingers over it. "A friend or a boyfriend?"

"I think I should show you to your room," I change the subject. I'm not ready to tell Cole I went on a date while he was gone. Even though I had every right to.

"Oh," Cole briefly closes his eyes. "We're done talking?"

"We can catch up tomorrow mornin'," I suggest. "It's been a long day and I'm ready for bed."

Cole follows me down the hallway. I push open the door across from my room. "Here it is."

He glances at the room before his eyes settle back on me. "It's really good to see you, Rose."

"You too," I shrug.

"So, I don't get a hug?"

A hug?

I'd much rather kiss him. Or drag him into my room and...

A hug.

I can do a hug.

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