The difference is suddenly so clear it hurts. Vanessa wants access. Cole wants permission. My hands tremble in my lap. I curl them into fists to hide it, but Cole sees anyway. He takes one hand slowly, giving me every chance to pull away, but I don't.
“I’m scared,” I say.
“I know.”
“Not just of whoever took the picture.”
His thumb moves once over my knuckles.
“I know that too.”
“I’m scared I’m going to look back at my entire life and find her fingerprints everywhere.”
The words break open at the end.
Cole’s face tightens, but his voice stays gentle. “Maybe you won’t.”
“And if I do?”
“Then you look at it one piece at a time.”
“I don’t want to.”
“No.”
“I want to go back to this morning.” My laugh is bitter and wet at the edges. “No. Not this morning. I want to go back to the boat. I want to be that woman for five more minutes. The one who felt wind and sun and not this.”
His hand tightens around mine.
“You are still that woman,” he says.
I shake my head from side to side, tears beginning to roll down my cheeks.
“Yes,” he says. “You were scared before the boat. You were scared after. In between, you breathed anyway. That counts.”
My eyes sting. He says things like they are simple facts. No sweeping promises. Somehow that makes them harder to dismiss.
“You make me feel stronger than I am,” I whisper.
His gaze darkens. “No.”
“Cole …”
“I don’t make you strong. I’m just close enough to see it.”
My breath catches, and this time it has nothing to do with panic. Cole sees that too.
For a few seconds, neither of us moves. The little bedroom hums with afternoon light and marsh quiet. Outside, somewhere beyond the cottage, an egret cries. Inside, Cole’s hand holds mine like a promise he is trying very hard not to make. His eyes drop to my mouth.
“Kara,” he says, and my name sounds like warning and want at the same time.
“I know.”
“You don’t,” he says shaking his head.
“I do.” My voice is soft, but steady. “I know I’m scared. I know I’m confused. I know everything is a mess. But I am not confused about this.”
His jaw flexes. “You’re my client.”
