“Arabella?”
She turned as someone called out her name, surprise filling her as she saw who it was.
Although she shouldn’t be surprised. It had been bound to happen at some stage. Unfortunately, he wasn’t alone. Keira stood next to him, her hand held firmly in his.
They must have just walked in the door. Arabella took the slice of cake, paying for it with a forced smile before turning back to Cole.
He was a handsome guy.
Although not as gorgeous as Eli or Kellan.
Okay, where did that thought come from? She shouldn’t be comparing him to them. It wasn’t like she’d ever been interested in Cole that way.
And she’d been a means to an end for him. She knew that and it didn’t even really hurt. But it did hurt to learn that he could be caring . . . that he had actually always been in love with the woman beside him. And the man who just stepped into the bakery behind them.
Julian’s face filled with surprise as he saw her. Arabella pulled her true thoughts and feelings deep inside her and forced a bland smile onto her face that she knew didn’t reach her eyes.
“Hello, Cole, Keira, Julian. How are you all?”
“What are you doing here, Arabella?” Cole asked bluntly.
Horse growled at him and Cole stared down at him in surprise. As though he’d only just noticed that there was an oversized dog standing next to her.
“Cole!” Keira scolded, looking up at him aghast.
“What?” he asked. “We’re all wondering why she’s here. In Haven?”
“You’re being a bit blunt, though.” Keira gave her an apologetic smile. “Sorry.”
Arabella waved her free hand through the air. “That’s quite all right. I actually live here now.”
“You live here?” Cole repeated. “Why?”
“Why not?” She moved quickly through the tables, tripping over a chair leg.
Urgh! Embarrassing. Why did she have to get all clumsy now?
She quickly sat down before she landed on her butt.
Hopefully that would be it.
“Sit, Horse,” she ordered. Horse sat but he continued to glare at Cole . . . who was following her.
Awesome.
She picked up the cake fork off her plate.
“Why are you living here? Why would you follow me?” Cole demanded.
“Cole, it’s been years,” Julian said. “I’m pretty sure that she didn’t follow you here.”
“I didn’t,” she said, giving Julian a grateful nod.
“Then why is she here?” Cole asked. He leaned over her with a frown. “What’s going on?”
Horse growled and she tightened her hold on his lead.
She had to remind herself that while Cole could be intimidating, he wasn’t going to hurt her.
