But there’s also a part of me that is curious, because as far as I'm aware Cole hasn’t dated anyone since Layla, and that ended at least seven years ago.
“I don’t think I’ve seen you like this about a girl since Layla,” I say, wanting to get an update on the situation.
Layla Chaney’s family owns the golf course on the far side of the lake, and the Bennett family sold cranberries to them for their clubhouse. Cole and Layla met in middle school, and I swear they were going to be together until they weren’t.
Cole’s face falls into a scowl and he changes his percussion from matching the beat of the song to a nervous tap before looking at me and saying, “She reached out this morning.
“For what?” I almost yell, in response. I may not have been in town or even on speaking terms with Cole when everything went to shit but I heard enough to know that if Layla even considers walking back into his life, we’d all have a problem with it.
“She lives in the city and saw that we were at the bar last night in my stories. Said she wanted to check in and see how things were going.” The look on his face tells me he is extremely unsure of what to think about this entire situation. Cole was convinced he and Layla were going to be married, even had a ring ready to propose when she finished college. So when she abruptly ended their relationship, he was heartbroken. I know he’ll always have a place in his heart for Layla and the growing up they did together, but she needs to drop off the face of the earth.
“I didn’t realize you still talked,” I respond, trying to be encouraging and also friendly.
“We don’t,” he whispers as if unsure if it’s a real fact or just a dream.
"We haven’t spoken since she told me off for asking questions about her reason for breaking up. That was basically seven full years ago. I honestly didn’t even know she still follows me.”
I make a mental note to continue checking in with him and to keep plugging Caroline because while she is a terrifying person, she at least loves with her heart.
Hearing his stomach growl, I realize we didn’t eat breakfast, or anything for that matter this morning and reach into my backpack to find a snack. Feeling grateful for Ollie’s constant need to care for those around her and her little snack bag she packed us as if we were going to be driving across the state.
His stomach growls again, this time louder, as if it knows I’m looking for a snack. Cole clasps his hand over his stomach, trying to quiet it as I open the brown paper bag, finding not only a large supply of granola bars and sour gummy candy but also a small folded up piece of paper.
“Here, eat this before you turn into a monster,” I say, handing him a chocolate chip peanut butter granola bar. My heart starts to beat faster as I look at the folded up piece of paper unsure of what to expect. Part of me is terrified she’s changed her mind and wants to protect her heart while the other part of me is excited knowing it’s not.
My fingers fumble the paper as I attempt to unfold it, and I feel Cole’s side eye and judgement as he silently laughs at my new found clumsiness.
Hi :) I thought since letters kept us whole ten years ago, it would be fun to bring them back now. And idk about you but I still have all those letters from boot camp, which might be embarrassing…but whatever. I just wanted to say thanks for coming up with Cole this weekend and telling me the truth. <3 Ollie
I cannot help but smile knowing she kept the letters. Mine stay in the same keepsake box as Jarred’s tags and letter and I’d always reread them when feeling beaten down and broken from the military. Ollie’s been the only consistent factor keeping me sane through the years.
Chapter 32
Olivia
It’seasytofallback into my routine of running, work, reading, sleep, and repeat. Each day feels lighter knowing Noah was truly in this for the long hall. I may not fully trust him yet, or be prepared to jump head-first into this relationship quite yet but the thought of a future makes me happy.
Work’s been smooth, the new patients actively participate in their care, and are excited to do it at home. All of us in the office have been getting lunch together and we're planning a huge community outreach event to do in a few weeks, to support an underprivileged area. This is uncommon because, typically, my entire office sticks to themselves, does their job, and goes home for the day. Ilove my job and my place of employment but it would be nice to have more camaraderie amongst us. Create a family within the office, because it’s true that I spend more time with these people than my own family or friends.
I’m just coming back into the office after lunch with Mason and Savannah on a Thursday when my phone starts to ring. Ipull it out of my scrub top pocket and see that it’s Cole. I normally would think that him calling me in the middle of a work day was weird but we just found out Penelope is getting divorced and she and the boys are moving home, so we’ve been chatting almost every day.
“Hey!” I say as I answer the phone.
There is a brief moment of silence before I hear him say “Liv” in a super low tone. Before he has the opportunity to say anything else I’ve put him on speaker and start sprinting to my car as I text the office manager.
Something is wrong.
“What's wrong, Cole?” I snap a little out of breath from the sprint.
“We had a call today, the old shed down Jameson Road caught fire,” he starts to tell me, and I feel every ounce of my heart sink.
Someone died. I know every member of that fire department. I know no matter who it is, I have to get home. We are family.
“Who?” I ask, yelling at this point.
Silence.
Then I hear a gulp as his voice shakes a little.
