“It’s nice to meet you, Ms. Rogers. My name is Cole. I’m your daughter’s boyfriend. I’m surprised she hasn’t mentioned me yet.” Another kiss, but this time on the back of my hand as he threads his fingers through mine.
Of all the things he could’ve said, I should’ve known he’d say that.
After all, it’s his favorite thing to say when he knows I’m in an uncomfortable situation.
Dammit.
I want to pull my phone back out of my pocket and ask Google how a person knows they’re falling in love.
But I don’t need to know the answer.
I think I already have it.
Chapter thirty-seven
Cole
Listen, was this thebest course of action? Absolutely not. I hesitated before coming in. I really did. But when I walked past and saw her with that same vulnerability in her eyes that I’ve come to know so well, I caved. When I saw her mom and this man staring at her the way they were, while she hid behind an imaginary shield, Ihadto intervene.
She doesn’t need my protection. I learned that the night we first met. But just like then, I had to dosomething.
Jenna and I have known each other for just over two months, and even on the first night, I felt this overwhelming need to save her.
Like my body was drawn to this complete stranger that I expected to never see again.
Unlike the confusion on her face from night one, the look she’s wearing now screams relief.
Will I hear all about how she didn’t need me to be her savior?
Probably.
I don’t care, though.
I’ve been desperate for an excuse to hold her hand in public.
Kiss her in broad daylight on a random street, right here in town.
Be affectionate with her in any capacity I can, while everyone around us watched and didn’t care.
I know I told the world that I wanted to keep my private life to myself, and I do. But if they just happened to find out that she and I are…whatever we are, I’d wear that shit like a badge of fucking honor.
I realize it could get messy, though. Because according to the world,Marais the woman I’m with, no matter how many times I try to tell them otherwise.
“Sorry, did you sayboyfriend?” Her mom gawks at me, her eyes popping out of her head as they dart between her daughter and I. Jenna shifts in her seat awkwardly next to me, her hands gripped firmly around the mug that houses a black coffee.
That, in itself, is alarming enough.
No creamer?
No ice cubes?
Nocaramel?
“That’s right.” I nod. “Sorry, and you are?” I turn my attention to the man sitting arrogantly beside her mom, holding my arm across the table for him to take.
“Mark Smoak.” He nods firmly, ignoring my outstretched hand, turning his nose up at it in disgust. I shrug, giving him a cheerful smile, and place my arm over the backrest of the booth. Jenna allows herself to sink into my side. I know she might not want me here because of what others might think, but she’s listening to her body, and has chosen to feel safe instead of insecure.
Exactly the way I want her to feel.
