46. Chapter Forty-Six
I stare at my phone, unable to wipe the smile from my face.
Cole: I’m taking you out tonight to celebrate your first successful work week.
He sent it twenty minutes ago, and I’ve been unable to respond or stop looking at it. The week has been perfect. Cole and I have fallen into a routine ever since we agreed to make this a thing. Whatever type of thing it is, I’m not sure. It feels weird calling him my boyfriend, because he’s Cole, but we’re more than fuck buddies.
I still feel guilty because of Chris, but I keep telling myself there isn’t much I can do about it. If he was truly my best friend, he’d want me to be happy. And if this were Chris from a few years ago, I think he would accept it. But with the way he is now? I’m not sure. But how fair is it to let him dictate my life? Cole and I don’t talk about it, but I’m sure he feels the same way. There’s no way he doesn’t. Chris is his son. He doesn’t want to hurt him. But Chris isn’t doing the same. He knows he’s hurting his father, and he doesn’t care. All he had to do was talk to him about what has him so mad and everything could have been fixed. Each day that passes, the more I want to tell Cole what Chris is upset about, if only to get the weight off his shoulders. The not knowing would eat me alive. I don’t want Cole feeling that way. Not if I can help it. Yet I’m staying loyal to my friend. Why? No idea.
“You okay?” Jessie takes the seat across from me. We usually spend our lunch together in the cafeteria. He drops his lunch box in front of him and pulls out a sandwich stuffed with lettuce, tomato, cheese, and some kind of meat. His wife really knows how to make a hearty sandwich.
“Yeah, why?”
“You’ve been smiling at your phone for a while. Wasn’t sure if you’d lost your mind or something.”
I chuckle, stabbing a cherry tomato from my salad. “I’m good. Just got news that my boyfriend is taking me out tonight.”
It feels weird to say because I’m talking about Cole, but I guess I should get used to it. It’s a term others will understand.
“I make sure to take my wife out at least once a month. And I always keep it a surprise. She loves it.”
“That’s a great idea.”
“How long have you been together?”
“Officially? A week.” I laugh. “But I’ve known him for a very long time.”
“So it’s about time, then?” He smiles.
“Something like that.”
We make small talk as we eat our lunches. Jessie and I get along well. He’s the only person I’ve spent time with or got to know this week, but I expect that’ll change once I’m on my own. I’m feeling confident about my duties so far, and I’m looking forward to Monday and figuring out my own routine. I have a meeting to attend next week, to get started on my very first project. Tonight is the perfect night to celebrate. I can’t wait to share all of this with Cole.
When we finish lunch, we head back to our floor and spend the afternoon working on sketches for an ad Jessie is working on. I draw up my own stuff on my tablet to familiarize myself with the program they use while listening to what Jessie is saying and checking out what he’s doing. We compare sketches and pull ideas from one another, then go back to the drawing board.
A few minutes after two, my phone rings. I check it, but it’s Daniel, so I ignore it.
He calls again.
I sigh and end the call again.
“If you need to get that, you can,” Jessie says absently, his eyes laser-focused on what he’s drawing.
I shake my head. “Just spam.”
I turn off the vibration on my phone. If he’s calling one after another, this is going to be an all-day affair. I need to block his number later. I should do it now, but I don’t want to be on my phone, even if it is only for a few seconds.
When the day is done, I grab my stuff and unlock my phone to the rideshare app but see a text from Cole that I open first.
Cole: Left early. I’m picking you up from work.
I grin as I ride the jam-packed elevator to the first floor. We all flood out the front doors at the same time. I spot Cole’s giant truck in the visitor parking lot and head that way. I’m barely in the truck before he’s grasping my face and kissing me breathlessly.
“What a way to get picked up from work,” I say when I sit back in my seat. “What was that for?”
“I missed you.”
I smile as I put my seatbelt on. Cole drives off, eying all the people walking out of the building.
“Everyone leaves at four?”
“Most of the designers do.”
“Made any friends yet?”
I roll my eyes. “Like it’s my first day at school.”
He chuckles and turns onto the main road.
“I’m guessing we’re going to the house first?”
“Yep. I have to change. Want to look good for you.”
I roll my eyes. “You always look good, Cole.”
He glances at me from the corner of his eye, grinning. “You think so?”
“Yeah, along with everyone else on the planet.”
“Oh, please.”
“It’s true and you know it.”
He tries to hide his smile, but it doesn’t work. “Maybe I know it…”
I slap his arm playfully.
When we get to the house, we go to our rooms to get ready. I change into different clothes—charcoal grey plaid pants and a white button up. I fix my hair a little. I would usually get a haircut around now, as it’s getting long enough to fall in my eyes, but I’m liking the way it looks. It has a slight curl to it at this length, and truthfully, I love when Cole runs his fingers through it or pulls on it to guide me on his dick. When I’m done, I head downstairs and wait for Cole. I grab a beer. When he comes downstairs, I choke.
“Jesus,” I mutter. “How do you look so good?”
His navy blue slacks fit him too well. They look almost too small. Same with the white button up.
He grins at me, showing off his gorgeous smile, and I swoon.
“I won’t be surprised if I’m mistaken for a troll when I go out with you,” I mutter. “Should probably come up with a few riddles now, to prepare.”
He puts his arm around my waist and pulls me to him. “Well, you’re my troll, baby.”
He kisses my neck, and his cologne smells so good. His lips trail up my neck and along my jaw. I’m growing hard in my pants and so is he. Cole groans when I grind against him, gripping his sides to hold him close.
“Fuck,” he mutters, stepping back. “We need to go or we won’t leave.”
I bite my lip. “I’m not opposed to that.”
“I have reservations. We can have fun when we get back.” He gives me a devilish smile.
I can’t wait.