Chapter 13
COOKE
“This is good for you, man.” Merritt's voice on the other end of the phone call is as excited as I've heard him in a while. “I'm glad you took my advice. Finally.”
“Me too,” I hear Laurel say in the background, followed by her laughing squeal.
It's easy to picture Merritt reaching for her, his big hands easily pulling her close.
He'd been the kind of guy that was happy alone on his mountain.
Until Laurel literally crashed into his life.
There was no turning back for either of them.
It had been fast and exactly perfect for them.
Now they're hosting fundraisers for an animal shelter that Laurel had interned at, raising money so they can take care of the animals and train service dogs for veterans. It's heartwarming and adorable. Even I can see that.
“Go have fun.” My friend signs off and the call ends. I stare at the screen, my mind analyzing different scenarios, the same way I would if I was trying to craft a deal.
Until Gretchen appears in front of me and I can't think about anything but her anymore.
She looks gorgeous.
She looks happy.
Then it hits me.
She looks like home.
The nerves I felt before disappear. All I want to do is pull this woman into my arms, make her gasp as I kiss her, and learn everything that she likes.
That's too much too soon, probably.
Instead, I stand and offer her my hand. The smile that lights up my face when her fingers land against mine feels completely natural.
“You look beautiful.”
“Thank you.” She runs her hands down the sides of her skirt. Smoothing away something I can't see. Maybe, possibly, she's feeling a little nervous, too. Just like me. “Now, where are you taking me?”
Her eyes shine as she looks up at me, and I again have to fight back against the instinct to kiss her.
“Someplace where our options aren't just burgers and pizza.”