I hold my hand up. “Stop. Stop this. You have to know how crazy this is.”
Cole stares into my eyes, and there’s no missing the pleading look on his face. “Just hear me out.”
I open my mouth and then close it as Frank comes back with coffee and shakes. “The burgers will be out in a minute.”
No one says anything, and Frank backs away with his hands held up.
Eleanor pats Cole on the hand. “Cole, can you give Luna and me a few minutes?”
Cole looks at me, and I find that he’s wanting my approval.
I nod in agreement because this is good. I can tell his mom what a crazy idea this is, and she can help me.
Cole stands up, and his mom gestures to the bar. “Go have a seat.”
Cole wants to say something, but he simply nods. As he walks away, Eleanor smiles at me. “Okay, now let's get to know each other.”
I hold my hands up. “Ms. Kingston?—”
She stops me. “Please. Eleanor.”
I nod. “Eleanor, I just met your son this morning and?—”
She tilts her head. “How did you meet?”
Embarrassed, I rub my hands together. “Uh, I also run the animal shelter across the street, and I was a little short on the rent. Uh, the landlord and I had a disagreement, and Cole stopped to help me.”
She’s smiling at me and nods. “And how did Cole help you?”
I lift my shoulders. “He uh, punched the guy when he called me a name and then bought the building.”
Her eyes widen, and she sits back. “He bought the building?”
I nod, and her smile gets even bigger. “I know this is fast to you, but I hope if my son wants to marry you, that you will hear him out.”
I open my mouth to argue with her, but something stops me. Instead, I ask, “You’re okay with Cole marrying some womanthat he doesn’t even know… that you don’t know? I could be arranging this whole thing. I could be manipulating him.”
The smile never leaves her face. “You’re not.”
“How—” I start but don’t get more than one word out.
Eleanor leans forward. “Because I know my son, and if he says he wants to marry you, then I trust his judgment.” She reaches across the table and squeezes my hand. Her hands are soft, nails polished, gold on her fingers. The difference between our two hands shows exactly why she shouldn’t want me as a daughter-in-law. I do not fit in with her family.
I shake my head. Why am I even thinking about this? I’m not marrying Cole Kingston.
Eleanor squeezes my hand, bringing me from my thoughts. “Just hear him out. Can you do that?”
Dumbly, I nod. What else can I do?
Frank comes back, and Eleanor releases me so that he can set the food on the table. Eleanor waves at Cole to come back and slides over to let him sit down.
She picks up her coffee. “Give Paul my food. I just want coffee.”
I watch Cole pick up her plate and take it over to the man he was sitting next to. Eleanor explains, “Paul is my driver.”
I nod.
When Cole comes back to the table, he pushes my plate toward me. “Eat.”
