“It was that simple?”
Cole chuckles, shaking his head at me. “No, El. Nothin’ is ever that simple.” He lets out a soft breath. “It was the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make, but I know it was for the best.”
“I’m sorry that happened,” I say, my voice soft and quiet against the noise inside the bar.
“It’s not uncommon and it is what it is, ya know?” Cole pauses, chewing on the inside of his cheek.
“So, are you back for good then?”
Cole lifts his drink, taking a sip as his gaze pins mine. “I think so.” His tongue darts out to wet his lips. “Coming home was always my plan, it just happened a little sooner than I expected.”
He tilts his head to the side. “What about you? What’s new with Ella Dani?—”
“Well, shit Cole,” Cash calls out, cutting off Cole as he comes striding over toward the bar with Cade behind him. “Why didn’t you tell us Ella brought our drinks?”
Cole runs his tongue over his top teeth, turning in his seat to look at his brothers. “Y’all were busy.”
“Thanks, Ella,” Cade says, smiling as he takes his drink. I nod at the three of them as Cash and Cade slide back onto their barstools. I glance over my shoulder, seeing that one of my other customers' drink is empty. She sees me looking at her and smiles. I use the opportunity to excuse myself from my conversation with Cole. I don’t know what he was going to ask, but I have an idea it might be about my life now.
“I’ll be back with your food in a bit. If y’all need anything, just let me know.”
My life is good. It’s better than it was before, but that doesn’t mean I feel like spilling all the details to a man I haven’t seen in years.
I end up getting Miss Nancy another drink and check on the rest of my customers to stay busy on the opposite side of the bar. One of the cooks rings the small bell to alert me and I head back, grabbing two plates to take out before returning for the third.
All three Wild brothers are sitting and waiting with smiles as I set their plates in front of them. Cole’s eyes meet mine.
“I’ll be right back with yours.”
“Take your time,” he says softly, mischief dancing in his eyes. “I’m a patient man.”
My breath catches in my throat and heat immediately creeps up my neck. Spinning on my heel, I control my movements,forcing myself to walk—not run—back to the kitchen as my heart pounds erratically in my chest.
My hands are shaky as I grab Cole’s plate and I force myself to pause and take a few deep breaths. He doesn’t make me uneasy, not in a bad way. Just in a way like I’m standing face to face with an old crush who’s a grown ass man now.
I have a daughter to worry about and I swore I would never put myself in a vulnerable position to get hurt again. Cole can be nice to look at and that’s it. Nothing more. Ever.
“Here you are,” I tell Cole, setting his plate down in front of him.
“Thanks, El,” he murmurs, his blue eyes slowly searching mine.
I shove my hands awkwardly into the pockets of my apron. “You guys enjoy.”
The three of them dig in and I leave them to it. A few customers pay their tabs and head home for the night, right as we end up getting another late evening rush. Ignoring Cole’s gaze that follows me around, I throw myself into my work, making sure that everyone is taken care of.
By the time I’m done, I see that the Wild brothers finished their meals and left more than enough money lying on the bar next to their empty glasses. My eyebrows pull together. Certainly, this was a mistake.
I lift my eyes, doing a quick survey of the building when I see Cole coming out of the bathroom. Excusing myself past Rose and Remi, I slip out from behind the bar and half jog across the room, holding out the two-hundred-dollar bills.
“Hey, Wild!” I call out to him when I see him reaching for the door to walk out of the bar.
He slowly turns around, tilting his head to the side as the corners of his lips twitch. “Hey, El.”
I hold out the money to him, along with the bill. “Here, you left way more than what your bill was. Do you have less than this or I can get you change.”
His brows furrow. “No, that wasn’t a mistake.”
“But—but this is way more than what your bill was.” It’s like a ninety-dollar tip.
