“This was not a date. I can buy my own way,” I counter.
“I don’t care. You’re not paying. Put that away.” He glares at the bill in my hand. “I’m just going to meet Mable at the counter.” He slides out of the booth and walks away.
I’m not angry. In fact, it’s nice that he wants to treat me to breakfast. Not necessary, but nice nonetheless. Not a very Cole-like thing to do. Then again, I don’t really know him all that well, just from hanging out in group settings and from what I’ve learned from Logan. Instead of placing the ten back in my purse, I leave it on the table for Mable. I’m positive Cole will give her a big tip, but a little more won’t hurt. After I tuck the bill underneath a plate, I slide from the booth and end up meeting Cole at the door. “Thank you,” I say, looking up at him.
Reaching out, he tucks a loose strand of hair behind my ear. “You’re welcome. Let’s get you home.” His large, warm hand settles on the small of my back as he leads me to the car.
When I dropped her off at her apartment, she declined help with her bag. It was just a small overnight bag, so I didn’t argue with her. It might not have been the most gentlemanly thing to do, but I needed to get away from her. I had planned to convince her to invite me in, maybe taste those lips again. Kacen, however, interrupted the plan. As soon as I pulled out of the diner, he texted me.
Kacen: Off. Limits.
Those two words from my best friend changed my plans. He’s fucking cock-blocking me from fucking Hawaii. I’ll let him, until he gets back. He and I are going to have a talk. If Stacy is on board and so am I, there is no reason why the two of us—who are grown-ass adults, by the way—cannot indulge in each other. One more week and then it’s game on.
“Unca Cowe!”
Crouching, I open my arms wide and wait, bracing myself for the impact of my four-year-old niece, Mia. She doesn’t disappoint as she launches herself at me and wraps her arms around my neck.
“Missed you,” her sweet little voice says next to my ear.
Pulling out of the hug, I stand with her in my arms, acting like she weighs a ton. “Mia, you’ve grown. I can barely lift you.”
Her little giggles touch my heart. I love this kid something fierce. “I four now,” she announces proudly.
“That’s what your mom said. I might have something for you.” I point to the gift bag I abandoned when I walked through the door.
“Yay!” she cheers. “I get presents fir my birfday.”
“That’s right. You’re a big girl today,” I agree with her, dropping a kiss to her cheek.
“Mia,” my sister Chloe scolds her. “How many times do I have to tell you not to answer the door without an adult with you?” She stands with her hands on her hips, just like our momma used to. She really has this mom thing down.
Mia scrunches her eyebrows and looks at me. “Unca Cowe, you adult?” she asks.
I couldn’t stop the grin if I tried. “Yea, Miss Mia, I’m an adult.” My sister exhales loudly at my admission. “But I think what Mommy means is that you have to have someone beside you when you open the door. Was I standing beside you?” I ask her.
Sadness takes over her face as she shakes her little head. “No,” she answers softly.
“Mia, remember when Mommy and Daddy talked to you about stranger danger?” Mia nods. “We want to make sure that no one ever takes you from us. It’s important to wait for an adult,” Chloe explains.
“Me sorry.” Her lip quivers and I’m done with the conversation. I understand that she needs to learn the rules, but it’s her birthday party and “Unca Cowe” can’t handle the tears. She’s breaking my heart.
“Hey, I heard you had a princess cake. Can I see it?” Just like that, her frown is turned upside down and her face lights up.
“Sophia. She’s bewtiful,” she informs me.
I let my niece drag me through the house by the hand. She jabbers on about decorations and presents and I simply follow along, letting her do her thing.
“See, Unca Cowe? Sophia.” She points to the cake on the table. “Bewtiful,” she says again, her eyes lighting up.
I swing her up into my arms. “You’re beautiful,” I tell her, which causes her to giggle. The doorbell rings and she wiggles for me to let her down. “Remember, an adult.” She nods her little head and takes off running.
“You need one,” my brother-in-law Kyle says from beside me.
“Why, when I can borrow yours?”
“Speaking of, I want to take Chloe out of town for a weekend. You up for uncle duties?”
“You know it. We’re trying to finalize a short tour coming up in the next few months, but nothing going on really. Kacen and Logan come home tomorrow, so we’ll be recording again soon. Nothing she can’t be there for.”
Kyle laughs. “She still talks about the last time you took her with you.” He changes his voice to mimic Mia. “Unca Cowe wet me sing and it was so fun!”