I’ve been thinking about going back to school to pick up where I left off years ago, but I haven’t decided if I want to apply for Music Therapy or Psychology. Plus, the tuition is a bit higher than what is left in my college fund. I’ll need to check if the schools offer a scholarship or apply for a student loan. I managed to pay part of the hospital bills with the help of Maggie and Benjamin.
The four of us went to visit Josh today. Cora lit one of her scented candles that we made last week, and then placed it in a glass candle holder beside the headstone. She sat cross-legged on the grass and told him about the play house and that she, Joce and Cole were working on it. She also talked about Sirius, the cat. I teared up when she told Josh about his birthday party-get together which we had weeks ago. Cole took me in his arms and held me while I cried, unable to hold back the tears.
Joce was her usual quiet self as she lay a pair of black and white knitted gloves—she knitted them in her crafts club at school—beside the headstone on the grass. She was worried Josh was cold wherever he was.
We arrived back home three hours ago. The girls dragged Cole up to the roof terrace to put the final touches on their house and they have been up there since then.
Things have finally calmed down. Every time I think of Josh, I am so thankful to God that he blessed me with such an amazing friendship. He might not have lived his life to its fullest, but I’d never seen him more content. He had once told me that he couldn’t have asked for a better life.
I wipe the tears trailing down my cheeks with my hand and smile. “I could never repay you for what you did for me, Cole and the girls,” I whisper under my breath. “You are loved and will always be in our thoughts.”
After setting a beer for Cole and three bowls filled with vanilla ice cream with pieces of orange fruit tossed in on a tray, I head out to the terrace, my thoughts on the call I’ve just had with my mom half an hour ago. She and Pete will be arriving tomorrow before dinner. I’m really excited to see them.
Cole is sitting in a corner inside the house, his knees pulled up and his elbows planted on his thighs, listening to Cora and Joce discussing their plans for the house. Sirius is lying on a black and white pillow the girls set aside for him on the floor when Cole brought him over the first time a few weeks ago.
God.
That look on Cole’s face leaves me breathless. His entire world is right there in his eyes. His gaze shifts to mine and his lips tip up at the corners in that special Cole smile, spreading across his features until it reaches his eyes. Tingles sweep through me and I grin at him.
“I brought refreshments.” I point to the tray.
There’s a burst of clapping as the girl’s dash out of the house, heading for the little table.
Cole unfolds himself from the floor, and walks toward me. He looks so sexy, with the tool belt hanging low on his hips. The gray T-shirt frames his chest, outlining the nipple ring and the toned muscles beneath.
“That look on your face, Snowflake.”
I squint up at him. “What look?”
“You look at me like that every time I’m wearing this tool belt. Do you get off watching me wearing it?”
I grin. “You know I do. You drove me crazy when you took me to your father’s company and I had to watch you walking around while carrying heavy stuff and building things.”
“Say it.”
I quirk my brow at him. “Say what?”
“That I’m good with these tools. You wouldn’t know what to do without me.” He pokes my ribs without warning.
“Ow! That hurts,” I yelp.
“Admit it, and I’ll make you feel better.”
I laugh, shaking my head. “You’re too cocky for your own good.”
He grins wide and bows at the waist. “Thanks for noticing.” He grabs me so fast I don’t see it coming and pulls me into his chest for a hug. The Cole kind of hug.
He kisses my neck and then smacks my rear, and signs, “God. I am in love with a girl who gets horny when she sees me wearing a tool belt.” He leans forward, his lips brushing my ear. “On a scale of one to ten. How wet are you?”
I turn and start walking backwards. “A hundred. And I am in love with a man who turns me on just by looking at me.” I bite my lip and slant my head down, looking at him through my lashes. “A man that drives me insane with every command that leaves his mouth. I am in love with you, always have been, and always will be, Cole Holloway.”
The smile on his face slowly fades as he closes the distance between us. “I love you, Eleanor Holloway.” He cups my face in his hands and leans down to kiss my forehead. “I will never ever let you go.”
I shiver and sigh as his lips leave my skin. “Dinner is almost ready. Come inside when you and the girls are done?”
“Cool. I will clean up first.”
I wink at him and smile coyly. “Oh, don’t clean up. You look so hot when you are dirty and sweaty.”
His jaw drops and his eyes darken. “Fuck.”
I dart a look at the girls and back to Cole. “Watch your mouth, baby.”
“Sorry.” He leans forward and grips my hips. “You love it when I do dirty things to you?”
I lift on my tip toes and nip his chin. “You have no idea. I want you in my bed after the girls go to sleep.”