“I-I do.”
He nods, drops his hand, and steps away.
21
FREYA
Alow moan rumbles past my lips as I sink into the huge tub in Cole’s guest bathroom.
It’s incredible.
If I knew this was hiding back here, I might have tried to get myself an invite to stay sooner.
The hot water covers my body until I’m completely submerged up to my neck. It’s bliss.
Cole headed to the airport after breakfast this morning, leaving me in his apartment alone. Of course, it’s not the first time I’ve been here without him, but it feels…different. Tonight, I’m not just working here; I’m also staying here.
In Cole Hansley’s home.
Butterflies flutter wildly in my stomach as the sweet vanilla of the bubble bath I found in the cupboard fills my nose.
I sink as low as I possibly can and close my eyes.
I needed this.
The guys have a game tonight, and Casey and I are heading to a bar that will be playing it to start our night before continuing on to whatever club Casey has chosen.
Honestly, I’d quite happily watch the game here, from the comfort of Cole’s couch and huge TV screen, but I already knowI don’t stand a chance. Casey has it set in her head that we’re going out dancing and drinking, and that’s what’ll be happening.
I’m sure it’ll be fun. I just…it’s been a long time since I did all that. I was a different person back then. A fun person with fewer worries.
Refusing to convince myself that I’m no longer cool enough to go out with a friend and have a somewhat wild night, I reach for the glass of wine I poured myself and take a sip.
Cole gave me free rein to eat, drink, and use everything in his apartment. But while I believe him, I still went to the store for my own bottle. I may have made use of his drinks’ fridge to chill it, but I wasn’t touching a single bottle in there that I hadn’t purchased. I don’t know all that much about wine, but some of them looked fancy and expensive, and I’d never forgive myself if I unknowingly drank a bottle worth hundreds of dollars and didn’t savor every drop.
The cool, fruity liquid slips down my throat a little too easily, and I eagerly take another sip. I haven’t eaten yet, so I take it slow, but I’d be lying if I said the wine didn’t give me a little liquid courage.
By the time I step out of the bath, I’ve got a little buzz on, and some of my nerves over tonight have switched to excitement.
Grabbing my cell from the bathroom counter, I carry it through to my bedroom and switch my relaxing playlist to a party one I used to listen to when I was working in Vegas.
The second the beat of the first Flo Rider song hits my ears, nostalgia flows through me.
Flipping my camera around, I take a quick selfie and send it to Summer along with a screenshot of our playlist.
Freya: Reliving the old days.
With a towel wrapped around my body, I shimmy my ass toward the vanity to start getting ready. My bottle of wine sits there waiting, and I eagerly refill my glass.
Confident that I’m alone, I belt out each song at the top of my lungs as I blow-dry and curl my hair, and then I set about applying my makeup. Tonight, I want to embrace the old Freya, so I apply it like I used to.
Once I’m done, I sit back and just stare at myself. Recently, I’ve been feeling flickers of the old me coming through. But right now, I feel her more than ever.
My red lips twitch at the corners, and something twinkles in my eyes.
I think it might be happiness, but I’m terrified that if I identify it, I might scare it off.
With my confidence growing about tonight, I walk toward the three dresses that hang on the closet doors.
