Chapter 3
Chapter Three
Ethan
The apartment smells like heaven. Specifically, Cole's version of heaven, which involves something simmering on the stove that I absolutely didn't cook. I nudge the door shut behind me with my foot, juggling my bag, keys and a six-pack of Cole's favorite craft beer. Domestic, I am not, but I know my way around his tastes.
"Babe, I'm home!" I call out, kicking off my shoes and immediately toeing them under the bench by the door. Cole hates when I leave them in the hallway. I swear the man was born with a catalog of rules. One that he conveniently forgets to share with me so he can smack me with a new one every now and then.
"Kitchen!" His voice comes from down the hall, steady and warm as ever, telling me where he is, even though the smell alone informed me where I'd find him.
I can't help but grin. There's something about coming home to Cole that always makes me feel like I've won the jackpot. I'm not saying that because he's tall, broad-shouldered, and rocks a pair of sweatpants like nobody's business. It's got more to do with the fact that I found the love of my life, in my best friend.
I find him at the counter, chopping vegetables with laser-focus, his dark hair pushed back from his forehead. The sight of him in his fitted sweater and jeans is enough to make me rethink every plan I've ever made for the evening.
"How's the sexiest sous chef alive?" I ask, leaning in to kiss his cheek.
Cole doesn't even pause in his chopping. "Calling me a sous chef is like insinuating that someone else is the head chef and we both know that's a pile of rubbish." He smirks at me over his shoulder before turning his attention to the food. "And we're having stir-fry because someone didn't take the chicken out to defrost like they promised."
"Ah... the details." I plop the beer down on the counter and snag a piece of red pepper from the pile he's working on. "You're so much better with them anyway."
He looks at me again, brown eyes narrowing in that way that says he's trying to decide if I'm worth the trouble. Who are we kidding? Of course I am.
"Of course I am. Now put away the beer. I just cleaned up there."
"You know," I hedge, "sometimes this place can do with a bit of clutter."
Cole narrows his eyes at me again. "You're impossible," he mutters, but there's the tiniest hint of a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.
"Impossibly charming. Or you probably wouldn't have married me."
At this he snorts and rolls his eyes. "A questionable decision to be sure."
I laugh at his retort before wrapping my arms around his waist and kissing him on his neck. His freshly showered scent fills my senses and I take a moment to luxuriate in his presence. He's been away for almost a week, and I've missed him more than words can describe.
But we fall into our usual rhythm quickly. Me leaning against the counter being an absolutely useless but entertaining presence, and Cole efficiently preparing a meal that would put most restaurants to shame.
"So," I say, drawing out the word. "I found us an assistant today."
"Yeah? Why do you sound like the cat that got the canary?" Cole arches a brow.
"Because I did. The cutest canary in the city. I think you'll like her. She's adorably rumpled, clumsy and has an unlucky streak a mile wide." I smirk when he chokes on the sip of beer he just took.
"Why on earth would I like that?" he questions.
"You have to see it to appreciate it," I respond. "Anyway, Ms. Harris. She's perfect."
Cole sets down his beer and folds his arms, giving me his full attention. His brown eyes lock onto mine, and I can feel him doing that thing where he thinks too hard. "Perfect how?"
I grin. "She's smart, and other than having the worst day imaginable I get the impression she's organized. Not to mention drop-dead gorgeous. Like you-need-to-see-this-to-believe-it levels of gorgeous.”
Cole's brow furrows. "And you're already commenting on her looks? Ethan, we're going to be her bosses. That's not very professional. Not to mention, a lawsuit waiting to happen."
"No comment, " I argue. "Just observing. You'll notice it tomorrow when you see her anyway. This way I'm preparing you for what's to come so you don't trip over your words."
He sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Ethan, we've talked about this. We put in work and personal boundaries for a reason."
"Boundaries are for boring people," I tease, then soften. "I'm not saying we hire her because she's pretty. I'm saying she is pretty. I've already hired her. You'll see tomorrow. She's got this adorable way about her—tiny, curvy, red hair that goes all frizzy, and freckles you'll want to count when you get bored." I pause to think at that before correcting myself. "You know what, I'd probably count them even when I'm not bored."
"You're not listening to me, Ethan," he mutters.
"Don't act all surprised," I say dryly, then shift gears. "But seriously, I think she'll be a good fit. And she's got this... vibe."
"Vibe?" Cole echoes.
"Yeah. Like... sweet, soft and feminine. But with an edge to it." I hesitate, watching his face for any reaction.
Cole tilts his head, the faintest frown forming. "Ethan... you're not thinking about her being our third, are you?"
I shrug, feigning a nonchalance I no longer feel."Maybe."
He narrows his eyes. "I know that works for your dads, babe," he says, his voice careful.
"No! It's not about them." I pause again. "Okay, yes. It is a little about them, because they're so happy, baby. You can't tell me you don't see it. Lo and Monty with Annie—it's like they found the missing piece they didn't even know they needed."
Cole puts the spoon down he'd been using to stir our food, and leans against the counter, crossing his arms. He looks thoughtful, as always, and my heart does that annoying little flip thing it's been doing since the day we changed our relationship from friends only to friends with benefits.
"And you think... what? We're missing a piece?" he asks, his voice careful.
"No!" I say quickly. "Not missing at all. Lo and Monty were happy together for decades until they found Annie. I'm just saying, maybe we shouldn't discount it as a possibility."
He stares at me for a long moment, and I know he's turning the idea over in that serious, analytical brain of his.
"You're enough for me, Ethan," he says quietly, causing a huge stab to my heart.
I had not meant to hurt him or have him feel like he's anything less than everything I've ever wanted. "And you're everything to me," I reply, stepping closer. "But it doesn't mean we can't explore. I mean, you've seen Annie with them. It's beautiful. Maybe we could have that too."
Cole doesn't answer immediately, his eyes searching mine. Hope builds in my chest as he thinks it over. Finally he sighs. "Let's meet Ms. Harris first."
"Deal," I say, stealing another kiss. "And I'm not saying it has to be her. If you're dead-set against a nice, filthy office romance, we pin it and come back to it later."
His mouth turns up into a smirk. "Does that mean you'll be able to keep your observations to yourself?"
I shrug, before letting my hand wander down to his crotch in a tried-and-true method of distraction. "Maybe, maybe not," I whisper into his neck before biting into the sensitive skin there.
My husband shivers in my embrace before turning down the heat on the stove and dishing up our dinner.