Reaching out, I take her hand and lace our fingers together. “I’ll walk you out.” She doesn’t resist like I expect her to; instead, she falls into step beside me.
Once we reach her car, I open the door for her. “You got plans tonight?” She bites her bottom lip as those green eyes watch me. Lifting my hand to her chin, I gently apply pressure so she’ll release her lip. I should be the only one allowed to bite them. “Don’t.” My voice is soft, softer than I’ve ever used on a woman before.
“I’m just going to grab some dinner on the way home, a drive-thru or something, and then finish the book I was reading.”
“Can I take you to dinner?”
“Cole. . . .”
“We both have to eat, nothing more.” I make an X across my chest. “Cross my heart.” I wink.
“I don’t know if that’s such a great idea.”
“Sure it is. I can answer any questions you may have about being on the road and what our everyday lives are like. I’m sure Logan tells you a lot, but this is coming from a band member. Get the scoop so you can make an informed decision.”
I can tell that my excuse has her. She’s going to say yes. And I’m more excited about that than I should be.
“Okay, but nothing else. I’ll follow you.” She steps toward the open door of her car.
“I can drive us,” I offer.
“No, really, it’s fine. I’ll just follow you there.”
“Fine. At least give me your number in case we get separated, so I can reach you.”
She’s reluctant, but when I hand her my phone, she types in her contact information. I want to fist bump at this breakthrough. Instead, I smile, waiting for her to get in the car and buckle up. Once she’s strapped in, I shut the door and jog to my truck. She’s making me work for it, but it’s . . . fun. It’s been a while coming for us. She thinks she’s keeping me at bay, when really she’s just making the chase that much more exciting.
My palms are sweaty as I grip the wheel. What the hell was I thinking? I never should have agreed to dinner. It was those brown eyes that captivated me. That and it really would be nice to get an inside look at what it’s like being on the road. Logan can try to convince me all she wants, but the reality of the situation is that she really has no clue. This will be a first for her as well. She does have the advantage of being married to the lead singer; me, I’m just the tagalong best friend.
I’ve read the tabloid headlines. Do I want to live the life of a rock star? Do I want to be engrossed in that world? I know because of my association with Logan that I will be a little bit regardless, but being on tour with the band and hanging out with my best friend at her house with the band members is two totally different things. This is not an easy decision to make.
Cole taps his brakes and hits his turn signal. It’s not until we’re in the lot that I realize we’re at a Subway. I can’t help but grin. The famous Cole Hampton rolling up in a Subway to order dinner. It’s so hard to see them as normal, everyday people, but I have to admit they don’t live the catered life you think of when you think rock star.
Cole appears at my door and pulls it open. Reaching out, he offers me his hand. Hesitantly, I place my hand in his and he helps me from the car.
“This place looks dead tonight, and they’re cool.”
“Cool?” I ask.
“Yeah. Me and the guys come here a lot. The staff is used to us and they respect our privacy. They don’t tweet it out and ask for pictures. They let us be . . . normal.”
“That’s good that you have that here, close to home.”
“Yeah, it’s rough on the road.”
Before I can reply, his hand is on the small of my back and he’s leading me inside.
“Hey, Mr. Hampton,” a teenage boy behind the counter greets us.
“Tommy, enough with the Mr. Hampton. That’s my dad. Just Cole, my man.” He holds out a fist and the kid, with a blush on his face, connects his to Cole’s.
“Go ahead and order, sweets.” His deep timbre causes me to shiver.
“Uh, I’ll take . . . um, a six-inch turkey on wheat,” I stumble through my order. After I tell him what I want, Cole suggests I find us a table. I look around the empty room and then back at Cole. He simply grins and winks. “Here.” I hand him some money.
“Not happening, babe. We’ve had this talk and we can have it again, but it’s going to be the same outcome. Besides, I asked you here. My treat. Now, find us a spot and settle in, because I’ve got to educate you about life on the road.”
Not wanting to make a scene—not to mention it would be pointless because Cole is not the type to give in on this kind of thing—I politely thank him and grab our drinks. I pick a table at the very back of the restaurant. Hopefully, it stays slow, but if not, this should give us some semblance of privacy.
“I’m an open book,” Cole says, sliding into the booth across from me. He passes me my sandwich and a bag of chips.
“Thank you.”