“Everyone is expecting you in there in like, two minutes, so if you can dothat,I feel sorry for her.”
“Goodbye, Mia.”
“Wow,” I said, stepping back into his embrace. “As if you’d be done in two minutes.”
“I don’t know. Our first time after you got back took a lot of effort, babe. I’d missed you.”
“Well, you did very well, then. I don’t think I lasted long.”
“You don’t need to.”
“Sucks to be a man.”
“Doesn’t suck to be your man.”
“Are you flirting with me again, Cole Benson?”
“I do believe I am.”
“Well, good. I don’t want you to ever stop.”
He shook his head. “Never. You’re stuck with me. I’m never letting you go again.”
“You didn’t before.I’mnever lettingyougo again.”
“Promise?” he murmured against my mouth, groaning.
“Promise,” I replied, and I’d never meant anything more in my life. Cole had been a huge part of my past, but he was every part of my future.
Chapter 25
Oakley
In the week that followed Frank’s sentencing, Cole and I spent some time doing normal things together. Not thinking or worrying about trials or deplorable men. We didn’t even talk about our future or anything heavy.
We’d had fun. It was the best week of my life, going on dates and spending lazy evenings in bed.
But our time in that fantasy was limited.
I was ready to work out the details of never leaving him again.
That was why I sent him to work this morning. That, and the fact that now any time he had off was unpaid.
I parked the rental car beside Marcus’s in front of the gym.
My heart fluttered as I remembered the countless times I’d been dropped off here. The gym was magic. As soon as my feet stepped through that door, I could fly.
It had the power to shrink the things I was dealing with until I got a couple hours reprieve.
It still smelt the same when I walked inside, just like a gym, faintly of feet and cleaning products.
I pushed the double doors open, and I was smiling before Iknew it. Springboards, beams, benches, trampolines, vaults, bars were a happy part of my childhood.
“Oakley!” Marcus called. A grin spread across his face as he jogged over to me. “I’m so glad you came. How are you doing?”
I gave him a hug. “God, this place takes me back. It looks great, Marcus. I like the new equipment.”
“Feel free to try it out.”
