8. Cole
COLE
T he lights of the community hall cast a warm glow over the business appreciation gathering as I escorted Tori inside, my hand resting against the small of her back.
She looked stunning, her eyes bright with excitement, her confidence shining through in the way she moved.
Her navy dress hugged her frame perfectly, understated but graceful, much like her.
This was her world—one she’d built from scratch—and I felt proud just standing beside her.
Tori greeted friends and fellow shop owners, introducing me with a smile that hinted at both pride and a touch of self-consciousness.
As she led me through the small crowd, introducing me to the different people who made Oakridge run, I admired her poise.
She had truly built a life here, independent and strong, a long way from the shadows of her past.
“This is Cole Valen,” Tori introduced, her voice carrying a hint of pride, which made my heart ache in a good way.
Each introduction seemed to unfold another layer of her world—the quirky bookstore owner who stocked Tori’s clothing line.
The older couple who owned the bakery down the road, and the slightly eccentric guy with the coffee shop who apparently brewed the “best latte on the East Coast.”
She laughed with her friends, her cheeks flushed with the warm color of happiness.
But even as she moved through the crowd, seemingly relaxed, I could tell she was still shaken.
I knew Marcus had been at her store earlier, lingering like a damn shadow that refused to let her move on.
If Aden, Shaw’s security specialist, hadn’t intervened, I dreaded what Marcus might have done.
It was hard not to think about the fury I’d felt, my hands balling into fists as I hurried to her store.
And seeing her now—smiling, happy, strong—was both a relief and a reminder.
Marcus was a threat that I knew would need to be dealt with sooner rather than later.
I shook the thought away, though, forcing myself to focus on her instead of letting my protective instincts derail the evening.
She deserved a night that was solely about her.
“Are you alright?” Her voice broke through my thoughts, her face searching mine. “You seem a little distant tonight.”
I smiled, slipping my arm around her waist to pull her close.
“Sorry, I was just thinking about a business proposal. But don’t worry—it’s only you on my mind tonight,” I told her.
She laughed, that light, musical sound I was beginning to crave.
It was amazing, the way she could draw me out of my own head so easily, make me forget the weight of everything else.
We found our way to a quieter corner of the hall where I could stand close to her without feeling the eyes of her friends on us.
Just as I was about to say something, she took a breath, the look in her eyes softening.
“It means a lot that you came tonight. I know you just came from a long meeting,” she said.
“Tori,” I said, my tone serious as I met her gaze. “Coming here and spending time with you is always worth it.”
Her smile faltered for a second, and a flicker of uncertainty danced across her expression, as if she didn’t quite know how to respond.
I could see the faint hint of vulnerability in her eyes, and my chest tightened.
I reached for her hand, feeling her fingers slip into mine, soft and warm.
We spent the rest of the evening talking, laughing, and sharing stories of her early days in Oakridge.
Each story she told revealed a bit more about her journey, her resilience, her determination.
I could see why she was so admired here, why her friends looked at her with respect.
As the evening wound down, I offered to walk her home.
She hesitated for a moment before nodding, a small smile curving her lips as she thanked the host.
Once outside, we walked in comfortable silence.
The cool night air was refreshing, and I could hear the distant chirping of crickets, adding to the quiet intimacy of the moment.
We reached her apartment building, and I felt my heart pick up, even as I told myself not to rush things.
Tonight had gone perfectly, and I didn’t want to spoil it by pushing her to move faster than she was ready.
She turned to me, the faint glow from the porch light casting a soft sheen over her features.
I could see the uncertainty in her eyes, the wariness that told me she was weighing her next move.
For a split second, I wondered if she would invite me in.
I would have loved nothing more than to spend just a little longer with her, to be alone with her in the warmth of her apartment.
But as quickly as the thought crossed my mind, I knew better.
She wasn’t ready—not yet. I wasn’t going to push her, not when she was still healing from everything Marcus had put her through.
“Thank you for tonight,” she said, her voice soft but genuine.
She glanced down at our hands, still linked together.
“It was my pleasure.” I took a step closer, brushing a strand of hair from her face, and I saw her inhale, her breath catching.
Her gaze held mine, vulnerable yet brave. She was letting me in, little by little, and I was grateful for every step she took toward me.
Leaning in, I pressed a soft kiss to her cheek, lingering just a bit longer than necessary.
She didn’t pull away, and I could feel her relax against me, her hand tightening around mine.
“I’ll text you tomorrow,” I whispered against her skin, pulling back just enough to look her in the eyes. “Goodnight, Tori.”
“Goodnight, Cole.” Her voice was barely more than a breath, her gaze holding a warmth that made my chest tighten.
I watched as she unlocked her door and slipped inside, her silhouette lingering for a brief moment before she closed the door.
Turning, I made my way back to the car. Tonight had felt like a turning point, and I knew there was no going back now.
I’d find a way to deal with Marcus, to make sure he stayed out of her life.
She deserved peace, and if I had any say in it, I would be the one to give it to her.
Returning to my apartment, the familiar silence wrapped around me, but tonight it felt emptier.
I tossed my keys onto the counter, loosening my tie as I glanced around.
The image of Tori flickered in my mind, filling the space in a way that wasn’t just physical.
I could see her standing by the kitchen, pulling one of those quirky mugs out of the cupboard, maybe leaving her jacket draped on the couch.
Small traces that would turn this place into something more. Into something warmer, lived-in.
But then reality settled in like a weight on my chest. Tori loved her life in Oakridge Bay.
She had her boutique, her friends, the life she’d fought to build.
I knew she wasn’t looking for an escape, for something new in the city with me.
No, she was rooted there, every bit as stubborn and unyielding as the old trees lining the mountain roads.
I raked a hand through my hair, feeling the ache that lingered after each trip back.
The city lights blinked from beyond the window, indifferent to whatever war waged in my head.
The truth was, there were nights when the drive, the back-and-forth, felt like an uphill climb.
The company headquarters were here.
I’d worked my way up from the ground floor, putting everything I had into building my life, my career, here.
Was I willing to let that go for her?
With a sigh, I grabbed my phone and dialed Shaw’s number. It rang twice before his gruff voice came through.
“I heard from Aden. Is your Tori alright?” Shaw’s tone was casual, but I could hear the underlying concern.
Aden’s report from earlier had given me a good sense of what happened.
Still, hearing Shaw mention her as my Tori stirred something deep inside me.
“She’s shaken up,” I replied, pacing the living room as I tried to shake off the frustration.
I continued, “But she refuses to show it. She doesn’t want anyone knowing how much he got to her.”
That was Tori—strong, fiercely independent, but carrying a world of hurt just under the surface.
“She’s really something, huh?” Shaw chuckled, as though he understood more than he let on.
“Yeah, she is,” I said, and there it was—my answer, plain as day.
I knew we hadn’t been dating long, but somehow, I was certain Tori was it for me.
I hadn’t even fully admitted it to myself, not in so many words, but there it was, unbreakable and undeniable.
She’d put down permanent roots in Oakridge, and no part of me wanted to pull her away from that.
“Pity she saw Aden,” Shaw commented. “You want me to send a replacement to keep things under wraps?”
I hesitated. Aden had gone above and beyond; he was the reason I hadn’t charged in there like a storm tonight.
Tori had barely noticed him hanging back, and with how discreet he was, I didn’t think she’d pick up on his presence going forward.
“Actually...I’d like to retain him. He knows what he’s doing, and I think he’ll be good for the job,” I told Shaw.
There was a beat of silence before Shaw replied, “Alright, if that’s your call. Aden’s the best, so I’ll set it up. But Cole, if this escalates, you know we’ll need to handle it differently.”
“I know.” I didn’t like thinking that far ahead, but I knew Shaw was right.
Marcus had already crossed a line.
After we ended the call, a text buzzed from my sister.
Lacey: Family dinner at the lake house next weekend. You coming?
The lake house.
The family had spent so many weekends out there growing up, surrounded by water and pine trees, that it felt almost like its own world.
A world without boardrooms and city traffic, just open air and memories.
An idea took root. Tori might need an escape, a place where Marcus couldn’t reach her, where she’d be safe for a few days.
I typed out a quick response to Lacey, letting her know I’d be there, and that I wanted to borrow the lake house for next weekend.
That would give me a few days to put everything together, to make sure the invitation didn’t seem as out of the blue as it felt.
The more I thought about it, the clearer it became.
If I wanted a life with her—really wanted it—I couldn’t just expect her to slot herself into mine.
No, I’d have to meet her where she was, be willing to take that leap for her.
And if bringing her into the family fold, even for a weekend, showed her that she was already a part of my life… then that was the least I could do.
I could still feel the tension in my shoulders, the residual anger from Marcus’s intrusion.
Knowing he’d been in her space, that he’d had the audacity to try and worm his way back into her life, made my blood simmer.
I trusted Tori to handle herself, but even steel had its limits. And she’d been through more than enough.
There was no way I’d allow him to rattle her, not after everything she’d built to stand on her own two feet again.
I stared out at the city lights again, but this time, they felt different.
Tori already on her way to becoming mine. I’d just have to make the next step count.