7. Tori
TORI
T he final transaction of the day was done, and I was counting up the register when Candy gave me a concerned look.
“Are you sure you don’t need me to close the store?” She lingered by the door, glancing outside.
“Thanks, but no need.” I forced a smile, wanting to ease her worry. “I appreciate it, really, but I’m fine. Cole’s picking me up in a bit.”
At the mention of his name, Candy’s eyes lit up, concern replaced by something far more mischievous.
“So, things are heating up between you two, huh?” Candy asked.
“Not like that,” I chuckled, glancing down as I finished counting the bills.
I continued, “He’s just taking me to the small business appreciation event at the pavilion. Strictly business, I swear.”
Candy rolled her eyes, smirking.
“Business? Right. Well, have fun… and don’t do anything I wouldn’t do,” Candy said.
I laughed as she left, shaking my head. Moments later, my phone chimed.
Cole: Five to ten minutes late because of traffic. But I’ll be there soon.
It amazed me, if I was being honest. He was so consistent, so thoughtful.
Cole never seemed to get tired of driving all the way out here from the city just to spend time with me.
And why? What did he see in me, a small-town boutique owner with more baggage than I could carry some days?
The bell to the store suddenly rang, and I looked up, automatically reaching for the “Closed” sign.
“We’re closed,” I called, glancing back at the register. “Come back tomorrow.”
No answer. I glanced up, expecting to see someone just turning around.
But my blood ran cold instead.
Marcus stood by the door, his dark eyes fixated on me with a smile that only made my stomach twist.
Every instinct in me screamed to run, but I stayed still, forcing my expression to remain calm.
“Well, hello, Tori,” he said smoothly, stepping forward with a bouquet of black roses in his hand.
“What are you doing here?” My voice came out sharper than I’d planned. “We’re closed, Marcus.”
“These are for you.” He extended the black roses, a forced smile still in place, though I could see it wavering.
“No, thank you,” I said, the words like sand in my mouth. “I’d like you to leave. My boyfriend is picking me up soon.”
His smile dropped in an instant.
“So it’s true. You’re dating Cole Valen?” He sounded almost amused. “Guess he’s an upgrade from me, huh? I hear there’s a big event tonight in town. Let me guess… he’s your date?”
My stomach dropped. How did he know about the event? Had he been keeping tabs on me?
I pushed down the cold coil of fear building in my chest, trying to sound braver than I felt.
“Marcus, what do you really want from me?” I asked.
He gave me a look that could almost pass as remorseful if I didn’t know better.
“Tori, you’re the one that got away. It took me five years to realize letting you go was the biggest mistake of my life. I want to win you back,” he said.
I didn’t believe him for one second. Lying was second nature to Marcus.
He could bend the truth without blinking, mold words to his advantage as easily as he breathed.
I'd spent years being fed half-truths and manipulative promises, each one hollow yet persuasive enough to keep me tethered in his grasp.
I’d watched him lie to friends, charm strangers, and manipulate anyone who crossed his path—always with that smooth, effortless confidence.
It was frightening how believable he could make anything sound, even as his true intentions twisted beneath the surface.
I forced myself to hold his gaze.
“You didn’t let me go, Marcus. I left.” I wanted to keep the bitterness out of my voice, but it slipped through. “And I’ve moved on.”
Just as he started to speak again, the door opened, and relief flooded me.
But it wasn’t Cole—it was a tall, muscular man with dark hair and a friendly smile, likely a few years older than me.
“Sorry,” he said, looking around, “but are you still open?”
“We’re closed. Leave, buddy,” Marcus snapped, glaring.
The newcomer shot him a look but then turned back to me with a smile. I tried not to show my relief at his presence.
“Actually, you can browse,” I told him, my voice calm as I turned back to Marcus. “I think it’s time for you to go.”
Marcus’s jaw clenched, his face twisting with frustration as the man began browsing the racks.
The slight distraction allowed me a chance to breathe, but only for a second before the bell rang again.
Cole stepped inside, looking calm at first glance.
But as soon as he took in the scene—Marcus leaning over the register, a bouquet of roses on the counter, and my tense expression—his jaw tightened.
A dangerous glint darkened his green eyes.
His gaze flicked to the stranger, then back to Marcus, his mouth a hard line.
He strode to my side without a word, his hand brushing against my arm in a gesture that was reassuringly possessive.
“What’s going on here?” His voice was low, calm—but the edge was unmistakable.
Marcus’s smile returned, but now it was mocking.
“Nothing to worry about, Valen. Just catching up with Tori. Right, Tori?” Marcus asked.
I could feel Cole’s gaze on me, but I couldn’t tear my eyes away from Marcus, feeling a mixture of anger and fear.
“Marcus was just leaving,” I said firmly, hoping he’d take the hint.
Cole’s hand moved to rest on my shoulder, and his calm exterior began to crack as he looked back at Marcus.
“You heard her,” Cole told Marcus.
Marcus sneered, but he didn’t move.
“You think you can keep her, Valen?” he said, voice dripping with arrogance. “I’m not done here.”
Cole’s grip on my shoulder tightened slightly, his voice dangerously quiet.
“Listen carefully, Marcus. Tori and I are together, and she’s made it clear she doesn’t want you around. So if you have any respect for her—or yourself—you’ll leave. Now,” Cole said icily.
For a second, Marcus looked like he might argue.
Marcus lips curled into an ugly sneer, but then he stepped back, throwing one last glance at me, his eyes promising this wasn’t over.
He tossed the bouquet onto the counter before he finally strode out.
As soon as he was gone, Cole’s hand slid to my arm, turning me to face him.
His eyes searched mine, his jaw tight with worry and something else—something fierce and protective that took my breath away.
“Are you okay?” His voice was gentle, but the intensity in his gaze hadn’t lessened.
I let out a shaky breath, nodding. “Yeah. I’m okay.”
The man who’d been browsing cleared his throat awkwardly. “I, uh… I’ll come back another time.”
He quickly made his way out, leaving Cole and me alone in the quiet of the store.
Cole didn’t release his hold on me, though.
His hand moved to my cheek, his thumb brushing gently along my skin, his gaze never leaving mine.
“Tori, why didn’t you call or text me immediately?” he asked, his voice rough with a blend of frustration and concern. “If I’d known, I would have?—”
“I didn’t want you to worry,” I admitted, feeling a pang of guilt as I looked into his eyes. “I thought… I thought I could handle it on my own.”
His gaze softened, but his jaw remained tight.
“You don’t have to handle it alone, Tori. Not with him. I’ll always be here for you. That’s a promise,” Cole said.
I felt a lump form in my throat as his words sank in, the weight of his loyalty and protectiveness wrapping around me like a shield.
I’d spent so long doing things alone, keeping walls up to keep myself safe, but with Cole… those walls felt unnecessary.
It was both terrifying and incredibly freeing.
Before I could find the words to thank him, Cole’s expression softened, and he leaned closer.
“Let’s get out of here. You don’t need to think about him. Just me,” Cole said.
I nodded, and as he led me to the door, I felt a warmth flood through me.
As soon as we stepped outside, Cole pulled me to him, his arms wrapping around me.
My heart pounded as his face neared mine, his green eyes searching my face, as if asking for permission.
Then his lips pressed against mine, firm yet tender, his hand slipping to my waist as he held me close.
I felt a thrill run through me as I melted into him, the world fading away until it was just us, wrapped in each other’s warmth.
When he pulled back, his gaze lingered, fierce yet soft.
“I’m not going anywhere,” he whispered, brushing a strand of hair behind my ear. “No one’s ever going to hurt you again. Not while I’m here.”