“The gala, then the charity auction in six weeks.” Just thinking about it makes my pulse quicken. “Jennifer was thrilled with Saturday, so I'm hoping she'll give us more creative freedom.”
Cole reaches for my hand. “You love this, don't you? The complexity of it all.”
“I do. It's like conducting an orchestra. All these moving pieces that have to work together perfectly to create something memorable.”
“I’m proud of you.”
His words bring a warmth that spreads through my entire chest. I've been complimented on my work before, but never bysomeone who truly gets what it means to be at the top of your game.
Cole knows about carrying responsibility, about delivering when it matters most. His pride in me feels like recognition from an equal.
“Thanks,” I say, standing up. “I need to check on my apartment this morning and see how the renovations are going.” As good as it feels lying in this bubble, real life is beckoning, and I really do need to get a move on.
“I'll come with you.”
I blink at him in surprise, my heart doing something fluttery that I try to ignore. “You don't have to do that.”
“I want to.”
“Okay,” I say, trying to keep the nervousness out of my voice. “But we should get ready. I can’t be late for my meeting with Jennifer.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Cole says with a grin.
I lean over to plant a noisy kiss on his lips. “I’ll be ready in twenty minutes.”
I gather my scattered clothes from the floor and pad out of his room completely naked, not bothering to cover myself.
Behind me, Cole lets out a whistle. “I like this view. Think you can come back and do that again about twenty more times?”
I wink over my shoulder, giggling.
Twenty minutes later, I emerge from my room dressed in a navy blazer over a white silk blouse and tailored black pants.
Cole is already waiting in the kitchen, holding two to-go coffee cups. He's changed into dark jeans and a casual button-down. Seeing him like that makes me want to drag him back to his bedroom.
“Thought we might need caffeine for the morning,” he says, handing me one. The cup is warm against my palms, and the rich scent of coffee wafts up my nose.
“You're amazing.” I take a grateful sip. It's perfectly made. Strong but not bitter, with just a hint of cream. “How did you know how I like my coffee?”
“I pay attention.” There's something in his voice that makes my stomach flutter. “I'll follow you to your apartment.”
“Sounds good.” I grab my leather portfolio and keys, already mentally running through my agenda for the day.
As we head for the door, I'm surprised by how much I want to share this part of my life with him. But the desire is tangled with anxiety. What if he sees how different our lives really are?
Cole is used to luxury. My apartment is going to look like a shoebox in comparison.
He takes my hand as we walk across the basement garage, his masculine fingers curling around my slender one, engulfing it.
“Just so you know,” I say as we reach our cars, my cheeks heating with embarrassment, “my place is nothing like yours. It's small. Really small.”
Cole pauses beside my car, studying my face with those perceptive eyes. “Harper, I don't care how big your apartment is.”
“Easy to say when you haven't seen it yet.” I unlock my car, suddenly self-conscious about everything. My modest car, my modest apartment, my modest life. “I'm just managing expectations.”
“The only expectation I have is seeing where you live.” He walks over and cups my face in his hands, and the gentle touch makes my anxiety ease slightly. “Stop overthinking this.”
“Okay.”
