Chapter 15 #2
“Yellow is my favorite color. My favorite food is homemade apple pie. I also like to paint.”
Cole doesn’t say anything at first and I reach up to push a chunk of my hair behind my ear.
A nervousness washes over me and I quickly push the uncomfortable feeling away.
My spine straightens and I stand firm in the things I told him, feeling confident, even though the self doubt creeps around the edges.
I chose the safest, most superficial option of telling him the same kind of things he said to me.
He turns to face me and I mimic his actions. “You hate apple pie,” he finally says. “You still paint?”
“Um,” I start, my eyebrows momentarily pinching together. It wasn’t the question I was expecting. “I do, but just for fun.”
“I’d like to see them sometime.”
Absolutely not. My paintings are private. Chloe and Remi are the only ones who see them and I’ve been turning down Remi’s stupid suggestions of doing something with my art for a while now.
“They’re not all done. I ran out of supplies and haven’t had a chance to get more yet.
” The words tumble from my lips in a nervous rush.
I shouldn’t have even brought up painting, but I didn’t think that was the one piece of information he’d hold on to.
“I don’t think they’re ready for anyone else to see. ”
He stares at me for a second, his gaze holding onto mine before he nods. “That’s okay,” he assures me with a tender smile. “You can always tell me no, but if you ever decide to change your mind, I’d very much like to see them.”
My lips part and I shut them before responding. “Okay.”
Why can’t my brain form any coherent thoughts tonight?
A droplet of rain randomly falls from the sky, landing on my cheek. Lifting my chin, I tilt my head back, watching the clouds as they begin to hide the stars. There’s a low rumble of thunder off in the distance and I feel another drop of rain on my skin.
“Well, this is disappointin’,” Cole says quietly as he lets out a sigh. “I suppose we should probably go.”
I’m not ready to return to reality. It’s like we are encapsulated in our own little bubble, tucked away from the rest of the world.
Chloe is safe with Remi and this is the first time in many years that things have been quiet in my soul.
I haven’t once looked over my shoulder, haven’t second guessed a single second on this beach with Cole Wild.
“Just a little bit longer?”
Cole smiles and nods, a look of contentment settling across his expression. “As long as you want.”
Silence settles around us, enveloping us in its warmth. It isn’t long before there’s another rumble of thunder, followed by a flash of lightning, illuminating the night sky.
“Wyatt’s comin’ back to town next week,” I say, lifting my eyes up to look at the sky.
“Oh yeah? How long will he be here?”
“Only for the day,” I say, my voice quiet. “It’s the anniversary of our parents’ accident, so he said he’d come visit their graves with me.”
Cole is quiet for a beat. “I’m sorry, El.”
“It’s okay,” I offer, shrugging my shoulders, turning back to look at him. “It will be three years, which is crazy.” I let out a breath, shaking my head. “I miss them, but it’s gotten easier, ya know?” Guilt pricks my heart when I admit the words out loud.
Cole nods, his expression thoughtful. “They’d be proud of both of you.”
My chest constricts and emotion wells in my throat. “Thanks,” I say, my voice barely above a whisper. I roll my lips, tears stinging my eyes as a crack of lightning sounds around us, streaking across the sky as it illuminates the darkness.
Cole immediately steps closer. “Let's get out of this storm before we get struck by lightning.”
The droplets of rain are progressively getting larger as they begin to fall faster. “I think that might be a good idea,” I agree with a soft laugh.
It’s as if the sky decides to open up at that moment, bringing on a downpour. Cole grabs my hand, making a run for it as we race across the beach, back toward the path that cuts through the dunes. My feet pound against the ground and laughter bubbles out of me as my hair whips behind me.
We’re out of breath when we reach Cole’s truck and he fumbles with the key and ends up dropping it on the ground. “Dammit,” he groans, laughing as he bends down to pick it up.
“Shoot, I forgot my shoes,” I half laugh, half mumble, bumping into the side of him accidentally.
Cole stops, turning to look at me as the rain falls harder. Concern washes over his expression and he shifts his weight like he’s about to move in the direction we came from. “I can go get them.”
I shake my head dismissively, reaching out to grab his arm to stop him. “It’s okay, I have other pairs.” Cole falls silent, his eyes scanning my face like he’s memorizing the placement of every freckle before his gaze meets mine again. “What?”
His eyebrows pinch before releasing. “God, you’re beautiful,” he breathes, like the admission is a weight off his chest. Something unreadable passes through his eyes and I find myself drawn to him.
My feet move without my direction, inching closer to him until I have to tilt my head back to look up at him. He looks conflicted as torment weaves itself through his expression and the fire burning in his eyes. He lifts his hands, his movements soft and slow as he cradles the side of my face.
He slowly lowers his head, his lips a fraction of an inch away from mine. My breath gets caught in my throat, my heart threatening to break free from my rib cage as Cole’s breath fans across my face.
“I really wanna kiss you right now, but I’m not goin’ to.”
Rejection hits me like a freight train. “Why?”
“Because once I start, I’m afraid I won’t be able to stop.” He pauses, pulling back enough that his gaze collides with mine. “When this does happen, I want you to be ready for it. I don’t want you to second guess anythin’ between us.”
My heart lodges in my throat. “What if I’m never ready?”
“One day, El,” he says gently as he lifts his head and presses his lips against my forehead. “One day, you will be. And I’ll be here waitin’.”