My eyes flickered around the room, searching for a clock. When I found it, I winced when I saw that I should be walking down the aisle in just a few minutes.
That thought had me adjusting the Santa hat still perched on my head, which, of course, drew their attention.
“Now I have to know what’s going on with the Santa suit,” Karina teased. “I didn’t think they hired entertainment for soirées like this.”
“We don’t,” Cole said, sounding amused. “But my omega here marches to the beat of her own drum.”
My omega melted at the pride in his voice, like he thought that was something to be proud of, not hidden away.
“Good,” Karina said definitively. “She’ll fit right in with our family. Maybe she’ll loosen you up a little.”
She shot him a pointed look.
“Mom,” he groaned.
“Don’t ‘mom’ me. Now, when are you coming to the estate? I’ve already texted your brother, he’s beside himself.”
“Oh, I’m sure he is,” Cole replied with a roll of his eyes.
It was such a candid gesture that it took me by surprise. I didn’t think the big, bad CEO had it in him. Honestly, it made him seem almost human. Everything he’d said and allowed tonight, did.
Cole looked at me for a long moment. To an outsider, it might’ve looked like one of those pack things, silent communication without words, but I knew better.
This was Cole trying to find a way out of this. Or maybe to ask permission.
Nothing could’ve prepared me for the words that came out of his mouth next.
“We’ll be there this weekend.”
Aspen
Far too many drinks and questionable decisions later, I found myself standing outside, tucked close to Cole’s side to keep my face obscured. It had been several hours, and I’d all but abandoned my belongings. Thank god I had my phone on me at least.
Not that any of that seemed important now. I’d settle my boxes at their place later. For now, I was going to keep my head straight until I was back at my place.
Thank god the doorman and I were on good terms, at least. .
“Is your car here, honey?” Karina asked. I swear this woman exuded ‘mom’ energy.
“No, but I’ll just catch a cab,” I said easily, shivering as the evening air blew past us. It had already dropped several degrees, and I was grateful for the fur-lined suit that I had taken… or stolen, rather.
“Don’t be silly. You’ll ride with us,” she said, ushering me forward.
Cole’s arm was still around me, playing the part he’d sold to his mom, and here I was, still following along with it. Clearly, I had lost my damn mind.
She was so sweet that part of me wanted to stop this farce and tell her the truth. The other part wanted to soak in the motherly adoration while I could. It wasn’t exactly something I’d ever experienced.
Cole led us to a sleek BMW SUV, holding the door open for me and depositing me in the front seat, not giving me a chance to argue before helping his mom into the back.
“Just swing me by my hotel first, honey,” she said easily as soon as he climbed into the driver’s seat.
The ride was quiet. Cole didn’t strike me as the type to fill silence with small talk. Karina did, however. She’d just had several glasses of wine and was happily humming Christmas songs to herself in the back seat.
When we pulled up to the hotel, she blew Cole a kiss, said a hasty goodbye to me before yelling back. “Can’t wait to see you guys at the estate!”
Then she disappeared inside.
We sat there in silence for several minutes after she walked away, until finally, I couldn’t take it anymore. I turned toward Cole who looked worried now.
