“Good morning,” I whispered, closing my eyes at the feel of his fingertips gently gliding across my jaw.
“Morning,” he replied and kissed me. “I love spending Sunday mornings like this, and every other morning actually.”
I sighed and pressed my head into his shoulder, breathing him in. “Me too.”
“What are we doing today then?”
“You don’t have to keep me busy to stop me thinking about tomorrow, Cole.”
His chest bounced gently underneath me as he laughed.
“You know me too well. Are you okay about tomorrow though? You’ve not really mentioned the trial recently.”
“That’s because I’ve been too happy.”
Cole grinned, making that little dimple show. “What made you so happy?”
“Watching Hollyoaks again. I missed it,” I replied.
His fingers suddenly jabbed in my side gently as he started tickling me.
“Cole! No!” I squealed and wriggled, trying to get away. “Okay, okay! It’s you!”
Cole stopped immediately. “I thought so.”
It suddenly occurred to me there was something I needed to do.
“I’d like to go shopping today. I kind of have a feeling that this will the last time I’ll be able to do it in peace.”
Once the reporters learned I was back instead of giving evidence from Australia, I knew they wouldn’t leave me alone. The case had become high profile because the arrest of my father uncovered one of the biggest paedophile rings in our area ever. That was the only thing I was proud of, stopping that.
“Whatever you want,” he replied, kissing my forehead.
I got up and pulled the cover off him. “Let’s get ready then.”
This was going to be the last day that was somewhat normal, and I was determined to make the most of it.
“No trial talk today. It’s banned,” I said to Cole as we walked downstairs.
After breakfast, I went to have a shower and get dressed. Cole’s house was empty, and I didn’t ask where everyone was because I had a feeling they had gone out to give me and Cole time alone.
I got out of the shower and dressed in jeans and a T-shirt. Cole was sitting on his bed when I got back into his room. He frowned. “Why’d you get dressed?”
“Because, we’re going out now!” I shook my head and sat on the bed. “Do you need to shower first or are you walking around dirty?”
“I happen to like dirty.”
“Shower, Cole!” I ordered, and tried not to grin.
While he was showering, I put on some make-up. Every time I brushed mascara over eye lashes or stroked lip gloss across my lips it was like sticking two fingers up at my dad. I could finally make choices for myself and wasn’t controlled by him.
“Are you ready?” Cole asked as he walked back into his bedroom. He wore a white T-shirt and dark blue jeans. Even dressed so plainly he still took my breath away.
“I’m ready.”
I got off the bed and set down my compact mirror on his bedside table. In the corner of his room was a stack of large cardboard boxes where he had started packing. In about two weeks he would be moving into his first house. His and the vendor’s solicitors were currently sorting out all the legal stuff, but because there was no chain the sale was going through quickly.
I couldn’t wait for him to move in. We already had most of the paint he needed and had chosen a new kitchen and bathroom suite. The carpets were picked out, and he was going to order a little closer to the time.
“Where is everyone?” I asked. I couldn’t not ask any more. There was no way I wanted his family to feel like they had to go out of their own house because of me.
“Mia’s taken Leona to her Tots Music and Movement class, and my dad’s taken Mum somewhere.”
That didn’t really answer my question. I wanted to know if they had planned to do that anyway.
Cole grabbed his keys and slipped his shoes on. “Mall or town?”
“Mall. That okay with you?”
He shrugged. “I couldn’t care less, Oakley!” Right, he hated shopping.
Neither of us spoke on the drive to the mall, but we didn’t need words. I was content to sit with him and mentally plan what I was going to buy. I didn’t really want anything in particular, just retail therapy. We pulled into a parking space and got out.
“Where to first?” Cole asked as we walked towards the entrance. His hand quickly found mine, and we both squeezed at the same time.
After shopping and one of the best Indian meals I’d ever had, we went back to Cole’s parents’ house. There driveway was empty still. Cole must have arranged an all-day thing with them. “Where is everyone?” I questioned again. I felt a really uneasy being the reason they were kicked out of their own house.
“Still out I guess,” he replied. “Want to watch a movie or…?”
“Movie sounds good. ‘Or’ later.”
He smiled. “Definitely or later.”
I slumped down on the sofa and sighed. “Thanks for today. It was nice to do something normal.”
Cole sat beside me. “How do you feel about tomorrow?”