She looks over, studying me in that way people do when they’re deciding if they can trust your advice. “You like it here, then?”
“Yeah.” I nod. “Started over here and ended up staying.”
“That’s good to hear.” Then she smiles. “Thanks for today, Cole. I really do appreciate it. Movers are insanely expensive these days.”
“Sure thing.”
She tilts her head, the edge of a smirk returning. “You always this talkative?”
I snort softly. “Only when I’ve got something worth saying.”
She grins, like she’s tempted to push me further, then takes another sip of her beer. The air between us hums quiet with the faintest hint of tension. Snow still drifts outside, catching in the amber light spilling through the window, and I catch myself staring at her reflection in the glass instead of the city beyond it.
Her knees are drawn up, sweatshirt hanging off one shoulder, that dark hair falling loose now. There’s a faint red mark where her beanie sat for most of the day.
I stand, grabbing the empty pizza box before I say something stupid. “You should get some sleep. Big day tomorrow. Unpacking, decorating, pretending the elevator isn’t possessed.”
She laughs quietly. “I’ll add that to my to-do list.”
When I move to the door, it sticks again on the top hinge. Without thinking, I crouch down and pull my multi-tool from my jacket pocket. Two screws, a quick adjustment, and it stops catching. Easy fix.
Hailey watches me from the couch, chin resting on her hand. “You really can’t turn it off, can you?”
“Occupational hazard,” I mutter, pocketing the tool. “You’d be amazed how many doors in this city are just waiting to fall off.”
“I don’t doubt it.” She smiles, soft this time. “Thanks again.”
I nod once and tug my coat off the back of the chair. “Get some rest, Hailey.”
She stands too, arms folded loosely across her chest, and for a heartbeat we just… look at each other. She’s close enough I can smell the faint mix of pizza and either her perfume or soap, something sweet and vanilla. My pulse kicks hard, and I have to remind myself she’s Maddie’s best friend. She’s off-limits.
“Good night, Cole,” she says finally, her voice low.
“Night.”
I pull the door closed behind me, and it clicks smooth now, no catch. Outside, snow’s piling on the hood of my truck, coating everything in that muffled winter silence. I climb in, start the engine, and sit there for a minute while the heater fights the cold.
She's not in my head. It’s just nostalgia. Just my brain remembering an old face in a new city.
CHAPTER 4
Hailey
“This place looks like Santa’s Pinterest board exploded,” Maddie whispers, eyes wide at the garlands and the handwritten menu on a chalkboard shaped like a snowflake. We decided a quick cup of coffee and a pastry were needed before Cole comes to pick her up for the airport.
“It’s cute,” I say, even though the barista in a sequined elf hat is putting actual glitter on someone’s latte.
We slide into a booth by the window. Outside, downtown Denver looks dipped in powdered sugar.
“Two peppermint mochas and two of the Santa belly pastries,” the barista calls a few moments later.
“I’m going to feel like Santa after this thing.” I take a bite of the buttery pastry, flakes of dough falling from my mouth to the table.
She shrugs, unapologetic. “I’m carb-loading for the emotional labor of leaving my best friend, so it doesn’t count.”
That lands low in my stomach. I force a smile, remembering that this isn't just a typical day in Chicago. Today is the day Maddie flies home and I’m left all alone here. “We’re FaceTiming every day. Nonnegotiable. Morning coffee check-ins. Outfit approvals. Cat videos. Date recaps.”
She taps her phone like she’s scheduling us into her calendar already. “And I’ll hoard airline miles so we have no excuse to come visit each other.”
