I laugh softly, looking at the small pile that we had collected at the counter. “Yeah, you’re probably right,” I agree, sticking my spoon back into my bowl. “I’ll be right back.”
I get up, watching Chloe shoving another spoonful into her mouth. Wyatt laughs at her, taking a bite of his and I leave them both at the table. I head back into the ice cream shop, walking over to the counter to grab more napkins. After collecting more than enough, I hold them in my hand, making my way back out onto the sidewalk. A couple passes by me and I sidestep to avoid walking into them, right as I collide with a hard, warm body.
“Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry,” I say in a rush, my eyes widening as a few napkins break free from my grip. I reach to grab them as they float through the air, but a hand grabs them first.
“Well, hey there, darlin’.” His voice vibrates through my body, immediately capturing my attention. My eyes bounce to his, my heart skipping a beat inside my chest.
“Cole.” I let out a breath, heat creeping up my neck as it threatens to spread across my face. “Hi. I’m sorry, I didn’t see you.”
“No worries,” he says, waving his hand before handing me the napkins. “I told you before, you can run into me anytime.” He pauses, his head tilting slightly to the side as he looks at the creamery and back at me. “Are you eating ice cream for breakfast?”
A sheepish grin breaks out across my face and I nod before motioning over to the table. “We were at the cemetery and it was Wyatt’s idea.”
Cole’s expression softens, his eyes warm and tender as he stares at me for a moment. My breath catches in my throat, my heart jerking. His feet move, inching closer to me as he extends his arm. His fingertips brush against mine and my stomach flutters, just as I think he’s going to pull me to him.
“Oh thank god, there you are,” Wyatt’s voice sounds behind me, immediately pulling me from the moment. Cole’s hand drops away and my fingertips itch to feel his again. “Your daughter is about to be covered in chocolate.” I turn around to look at him and he looks past me. “Well, aren’t you a sight for sore eyes?” He laughs, walking past me to Cole.
I leave the two of them to reunite, hearing the sound of their voices behind me. I walk back to the table where Chloe’s waiting. The bottom half of her face is covered in chocolate and she smiles at me, licking her lips as she puts her spoon back in the ice cream.
Laughter bubbles out of me and I slide onto the seat with her, turning her to face me and I start to wipe the chocolate away. “Uncle Wy was right. It looks like you took a bath in chocolate.”
Chloe giggles, wiggling in her seat as she half fights me, reaching for one of the napkins to try to help clean her own face. My own ice cream is melting, Chloe’s is three quarters of the way gone, and Wyatt’s bowl is empty.
I clean Chloe’s face as best as I can as Wyatt and Cole walk over to the table. Wyatt slides back into his seat, but Cole doesn’t move to sit beside him. He stands at the table, sliding his hands into the front pockets of his jeans.
He dips his chin at Chloe, smiling at her. “Hey Miss Chloe.”
“Hi!” She says brightly, lifting her hand to wave at him. Cole chuckles, staring at her for a moment before looking back at me. His lips part slightly, his blue eyes lingering on mine.
“Did you want to sit?” I ask him, my voice soft and I motion toward the bench. My heart pounds a little harder inside my chest.
Cole shakes his head. “Thank you, but I oughta get goin’. Cash’s waitin’ for me to get back.” He glances at Wyatt. “What time are you headin’ out?”
“Later this evening,” my brother tells him, rolling his wrist to check his watch. “Probably after dinner.”
Cole’s head bobs up and down in understanding. “We’ll plan on gettin’ together next time you’re in town.” He looks at me, mischief dancing in his eyes before he looks at my brother again. “Is it okay with you if I take Ella out to dinner again sometime?”
My eyes widen, my stomach doing a somersault as I’m caught off guard by his question. What the heck is he doing?
Wyatt raises an eyebrow at Cole, glancing at me before looking at him again. His eyebrows slowly lower and he narrows his eyes at Cole for a moment. “You like spending time with my sister?”
“She keeps me out of trouble,” Cole tells him, winking at me before looking at my brother. He gives him a simple shrug. “I like company that isn’t either of my brothers, sometimes,” he tells him with a chuckle.
“I don’t mind,” Wyatt says after another moment of silence.
“You don’t?” I blurt out, before I get the chance to swallow back the words.
Wyatt looks at me. “You deserve to have some fun, Ella. I trust Cole and he knows I’ll—” he pauses, curling his fingers into a fist as he sticks out his thumb and runs it across his neck, “if he does anything,” he adds.
Cole chuckles. “I like being alive very much, thank you,” he tells both of us. “So, what do you say, El? You wanna get dinner later this week?”
My heart crawls into my throat and I look at my brother and back at Cole. “I’m off on Thursday.”
“Perfect,” Cole smiles, showing his white teeth. “I’ll pick you up at six.” Cole puts his hand out to my brother. “We’ll catch up soon, bud.”
“Sounds good,” Wyatt stands, shaking Cole’s hand as they pull each other in for a half hug. “Thanks for watching after these two.”
Cole releases him, taking a step back. “Always,” he promises my brother, grabbing the brim of his hat as he dips his chin. “Y’all have a good day.”
