“Oh boy,” I hear Emma say. “That’s going to take some getting used to.”
I laugh against Cole’s mouth as we break our kiss and rest my cheek against his chest. Emma’s grin of amusement makes me feel as though a giant weight has been lifted from my shoulders. Knowing she’s willing to overlook her initial shock and accept this new relationship I have with Cole makes my heart feel whole again.
Our day seems to fly by, but not a moment is wasted. A good portion of the afternoon we spent in the lake after Cole and Emma located an old rope swing they used when they were kids. We took turns climbing the rocks and swinging like idiots from that questionable piece of rope—having the time of our lives and acting like teenagers without a care in the world instead of people in their mid-to-late twenties with jobs and responsibilities.
”Jesus,” Cole says and blows out a breath of air as he shakes his head. A low fire burns in the fire pit, its flames flickering light across our faces in the darkening sky. We’re seated across from it in Adirondack chairs—Cole and I occupying the same chair on his insistence. Ever since he and I … connected on a deeper level last night, he’s been very adamant about keeping me close. But I’m not complaining because I love being in his arms.
“Two hundred people?” Cole raises an eyebrow and loads his voice with disbelief. “Do we even know two hundred people?”
“The party certainly has blown up from the small gathering of friends and family she’d first talked about,” Emma explains with a small laugh. “But, hey, you only turn fifty once, right?”
“Yeah,” Cole says, and I notice the slightest change in his demeanor. His muscles bunch and tense like he’s uncomfortable.
Emma must’ve noticedtoobecause she reaches over and lays her hand over his. “It’s a lot of people, I know, but it’ll be okay. I’ll be there and Jenna too.” She gives him a gentle, understanding smile. “We’ll get you through it. Plus, you might get to bypass the whole mingling thing because Mom will want to keep you all to herself.”
Cole chuckles, but it’s forced.
“I better get going,” Emma says, sounding a bit reluctant as she stands from her chair.
“Are you okay to drive?” I ask as I move from Cole’s lap to give her a hug. “If you’re too tired, you can always crash here.”
“I’m good,” she says with a smile. “I’ve been gone all day with no valid excuse, so I’m going to have to do some creative thinking on the drive home.” Emma releases me and turns to Cole, wrapping her arms around him and hugging him tightly. “I’m really glad you’re home, big brother.”
“Me too, Em,” Cole says and returns her hug.
Emma slowly backs away from Cole and looks to both of us, trying to hold back a smirk. “You guys have fun, and I’ll see you both on Saturday.”
Cole and I stand side-by-side as Emma makes her way to her SUV. When the headlights begin to back out of the driveway, Cole draws me in and kisses me—needy, yet tender and reverent. It almost brings tears to my eyes as I read into it. He needs me, just as much as I’ve realized I need him.
“I love it when you kiss me like that,” I say, soft and dreamy as he presses his lips to mine once more before moving to my jaw.
“Oh yeah,” Cole murmurs against my skin. “What else do you love me doing to you?”
I tug on my bottom lip with my teeth as I give him better access to my neck. “I have quite the growing list, and if you want to move things inside, I’ll be happy to share them with you.”
Cole chuckles and pulls back to look at me as he trails his fingertips along the outer edge of my face. “I’m all for doing that. But first, I just want to hold you for a while.”
He takes my hand and pulls me down into the chair with him so I’m resting across his thighs like before. Tucking my head against the curve of his neck, I relax into him and watch the tiny ripples dance along the top of the lake. Our breathing is synchronized. Our hearts beating in time. And for a moment, it’s as if our bodies are so in tuned with each other that we share the same soul. A cricket choir in the background sets the theme for our romantic night in the great outdoors, and in this moment I am beyond happy, beyond content, I’m … I’m …oh gosh. I think I’m falling in love.
