Jade smiled and shook his hand. “Nice to meet you and congratulations.”
Cole turned to his friends. “And you remember Doug, Carmen, and Elise.”
She waved at them.
Elise didn’t respond.
Jade didn’t care.
Clearly flirting, Sean spoke. “If I had known you had a sister this gorgeous, I would have planned to stay a few extra nights. Maybe that would have given me an opportunity to take you out to dinner.”
Jade smiled. “Mr. Pfingston you flatter me.” She didn’t get a chance to turn him down before Cole stepped in.
He warned her with his eyes. “There’s something about mixing my business and personal life that makes me uncomfortable.”
Sean got the message loud and clear. “Of course.” He turned to Jade. “Brothers can be so overly protective, but I understand.”
Jade glared at Cole. “Excuse me, everyone. It’s been a long day, so I’m going to turn in early.” She walked out of the living room as gracefully as she could.
Doug and Carmen exchanged glances with each other. Carmen leaned into him. “Hmm…Cole seems a little too protective don’t you think?”
Doug responded through a smile. “Yep. He doesn’t even realize that he’s playing with fire. But, if Elise’s expression is any indication, she’s going to be the one to burn him.”
Chapter 11
Jade didn’t think Saturday night would ever get here. She was now fully back into the swing of things at the restaurant after getting sick with pneumonia. Her feet and neck were killing her, but it was worth it. She’d made some good tips and would need every bit of that money and more after getting canned from her cleaning job. Jade was still pissed about that. Can’t even take time off in this country for being sick…sick!
Fresh from the shower and dressed simply in a fitted white t-shirt and black yoga pants, she walked barefoot down the long hallway to the kitchen. After living here for a couple of weeks, Jade was still in awe that Cole actually owned a house like this. Wrinkling her nose, she thought to herself that this place was way too big for one person. Personally she would have preferred a much smaller place where you could always know exactly what was going on in every room.
Jade made her way to the kitchen, while pulling her damp hair off of her neck and into a ponytail. When she arrived at the threshold of the kitchen, she stood with her hands on her hips gazing at it like a love sick fool. Even though Jade thought this house was too big, the kitchen was a modern day miracle, and there was nothing here she would change. It was, in fact, her dream kitchen. Jade would have died to have Sub-Zero, stainless steel, restaurant-like quality appliances installed. The granite counter-tops looked as if they had chips of copper within them and the Aspen white, custom cabinets were designed by a master carpenter whose hands had been kissed by the gods. The man even had a stone fireplace in here, not to mention every gadget known to man, and probably some that weren’t. This part of the house was perfect for a family, where everyone could gather around eating and talking about their day. Sadly, she thought she would probably never have one of her own. No, she wasn’t going to start feeling sorry for herself. It was just a shame that Cole never really used this kitchen! His housekeeper stocked his refrigerator and cooked a couple of times a week. Otherwise, that man lived on takeout food.
Thinking of Cole, he’d been such a mother hen since she’d arrived at his home. Being truthful, it was nice to feel cared for and looked after by another human being. As sweet and thoughtful as he’d been, Jade still hadn’t quite forgiven him. She was a mixed bag at best. Angry, yet wanting the closeness they once shared. Her moods had to be driving him crazy. They were even giving her whiplash, but he was like a dog with a bone trying to wear her down with his sweetness. It had been working up until last night when she had to see Elise and her dirty looks. She guessed most men would probably want someone like her; beautiful, cultured, and rich. Too bad being a good person and having a warm heart seemed to never be on the list of qualities when men were looking for a partner in life.
Cole had called earlier today to say he wasn’t coming home until tomorrow. If she were honest, Jade was a little disappointed even after launching Operation Crush the Crush. But it was better than waking up to Elise in the morning. It was a small miracle that Elise hadn’t stayed over since she’d moved in. Even though Cole hadn’t said why he wasn’t coming home tonight, more than likely, he was probably hanging out with her.
Jade rolled her neck and shoulders as she walked over to the cabinet to pull out a package of microwave popcorn. The thought of him spending the night with Elise was unnerving, and she did her best to shake it off. It was ridiculous that it even bothered her.
Staying with Cole is only temporary. Jade repeated it over and over to herself like a mantra. The moment she had enough money saved for first and last month’s rent, she was going to get her own place. Especially since controlling how her heart would speed up when his name popped up on her cell phone, or when he was around, had been more challenging than it should have been.
Anxiously, Jade bit her bottom lip as she put the popcorn in the microwave. Her life had indeed been turned upside down recently, but the most surprising part wasn’t all the changes. The surprise had been how easy it was to release the anger she’d held on to for years after spending time with Cole. Granted she ran for the exits more often than not, but still just being around him had soothed some of her pain and an emptiness in her soul. It honestly freaked her out more than anything. She needed her anger to keep her feelings from spiraling out of control. She knew it was stupid to still have butterflies in her stomach for a man she didn’t really know. At least, not since she was sixteen. So much had happened over that time. And while Jade had been able to keep her attraction to Cole under wraps, she knew women had a particular radar to detect that kind of thing. Jade was sure Elise probably had as well. Despite her feelings for Cole, Jade had her pride and respected boundaries. Even though she couldn’t stand Elise, she was Cole’s girlfriend. He had never really been the type to cheat, or at least, he wasn’t when they were younger. He dated lots of girls back then, but when he had a girlfriend, it was always one at a time.
Sighing loudly, she wondered why she had never been able to manage her head and heart when it came to him. He’d hurt her and abandoned her. Jade should hate him forever, but she didn’t. Nevertheless, Cole no longer held that space on her pedestal. He had fallen far from grace and was no longer her very own knight in shining armor, or the standard by which she measured other men. Jade learned pretty quickly that a knight in shining armor was only a mythical creature.
All in all, they seemed to co-exist easily enough except for when he was hovering over her like she was a child. Considering everything that had transpired between them, co-existing with Cole hadn’t been as difficult as she’d initially thought it would.
The microwave dinged taking Jade away from her private thoughts as she pulled the popcorn out. “Damn.” She bobbled the bag sitting it on the pot holder. That sucker is hot. All Jade needed now was her favorite drink and her night would be set. When she opened the refrigerator to grab it—it was gone. What the hell? She looked all around. She whispered to herself, “I know I put it here.”
“Jade?”
At the sound of her name, she jumped then frowned. Was that Cole? What was he doing here? He said he wasn’t coming home until tomorrow. “In the kitchen!”
A second later, he came through the kitchen door loosening his tie from around his neck and putting his work bag down on a chair in front of the island. “Hey.”
“Hey. You’re home?”
“Uh…yeah. I do live here.”
“No need to be sarcastic, Mr. Thornton.”
Cole grinned. “God that butter smells good. I smelled the aroma all the way down the hall.” He reached for the bag and opened it. Then grabbed a handful. “How was work?”
Jade still stood in front of the refrigerator with the door wide open.
“It was work, and I survived. I thought you said you weren’t coming home until tomorrow?” She bent low and continued to look for her lemonade. It had to be in there somewhere. She bought it especially for tonight. “Hey, you didn’t by any chance see my lemonade did you?”
“My plans changed. Are you talking about the Hubert’s lemonade that was in there earlier?” Cole’s expression was heavy with mischief. “I hadn’t seen one of those since we were back at Marymount.”
Slowly, Jade rose from the refrigerator after searching everywhere and noticed a flash of guilt on his face. She squinted her eyes accusing him with them. “Well, did you see this particular one because it’s not in here?”
The look on his face gave him away. “Actually, yeah. I drunk it this afternoon when I came home to pick up some papers I’d left.”
Jade was pissed as she closed the door. “You have every drink in that refrigerator known to man, and I only had this one, and you drank mine?”
A devilish grin appeared on his face. “I meant to replace it, but I forgot. I’ll leave a note for Olivia to buy some when she comes to bring groceries next week.”
“You were always doing crap like that.” Jade mimicked him. “Mr. ‘I don’t put poison in this body.’ Didn’t you say that a couple of days ago? Yet, you drank my poison?”
He was full on laughing because Jade’s pissed look was just like when they were kids. “I drank it because I couldn’t resist. You know, I don’t have too many fond memories of my childhood, but a cold Hubert’s lemonade on a hot summer day, after playing basketball with Robert—and you on the sidelines cheering us on—was one of them.”
Jade didn’t want to remember, but she did. “Well, it’s fall, not summer, and I hope you got a headache from all the sugar.” A smile threatened the corners of her mouth until they turned up completely. “I swear it seems some things never change. You were always stealing my Hubert’s.” Jade pointed her finger at him. “I fully expect you to replace my drink. I was all set to have it with my popcorn and the movie I rented.”
Cole grabbed another handful of popcorn then moved next to her. “What movie?”
He was too close. God, he smelled good. Inwardly, she gave herself a mental shake. What was wrong with her? What happened to Operation Crush the Crush? “Oh…just a chick flick I was going to watch in my room.” That should scare him off. No man willingly watched that kind of movie.
He ate a few kernels of popcorn. “Why don’t you bring it down here? We can watch it together.”
Well, that didn’t work. She was more than a little hesitant. “Um…that’s okay. I’m sure you wouldn’t like it.”
Cole tossed the remaining kernels of popcorn into his mouth. “I could actually use the distraction. Let me go change and I’ll meet you in the movie room. Be right back.” He started to walk out of the kitchen but turned around to make one more request. “Would you grab a couple of glasses and a bottle of Merlot from the wine rack?”
Chapter 12
A few moments after Cole had gone upstairs to change, Jade still stood absolutely motionless; rooted to the very same spot she’d been standing in before. This night wasn’t going at all the way she’d planned. And where in the world was the movie room located? She hadn’t really explored much of the house because she’d been sick, and truthfully wanted to avoid Cole as much as possible. He was so easy to be with that if they continued on this trajectory, she wasn’t sure she could keep her emotions in check.
Inwardly, she groaned then dragged herself over to the wine rack to find a bottle of merlot and couple of glasses. Maybe she could pretend that she wasn’t feeling well and high tail it back to her room. All kinds of ideas started to run through her mind.
It took less time for Jade to figure out where the theater room was than it did for her to load the digital player. Where was the blasted thing? How on earth did you open the glass case on the wall? The player had to be one of the digital looking boxes with all the blinking lights inside, but it wouldn’t open! A barefoot Cole, clad in a pair of loose fitting sweatpants and a gray hoodie, walked into the room just as Jade threw up her hands in frustration.
“You still don’t have much patience do you?”
She jumped. “Jeez Cole! Can you stop stalking around the house and sneaking up on me? It’s making me crazy.”
A slight frown appeared on his forehead as he pressed his lips together. “Hmm…I can see that.” Cole moved a little closer then reached for the movie. “The control panel is over here.” He walked back over to the theater seats and plopped down. The media panel sat within the glass table right next to where Jade had put the popcorn, wine, and glasses. The media center remote was in-between the love-seat like chair and another one that was identical to it. The theater room boasted two rows of them each separated by a big, glass table. As large as the room was with the high ceilings, it appeared smaller. Maybe it was the darkness that made it seem cozier than its actual size. There was another fireplace in this room too. Jade wondered, how many did he have? Cole touched the digital pad on the large glass table, and a box-like contraption rose up from it. He tapped it, and the panel door opened just like magic. “You can’t put the movie in from the glass case on the wall. You have to put it in from here. Come take a look and I’ll show you how this stuff works.”
Jade would have had to move closer to Cole than what was comfortable, so she decided she didn’t want to know that badly. “Uh. That’s okay. I won’t be here long enough to use it. If I want to watch a movie, and you’re not here, I’ll just watch it in my room.”
His shoulders tensed just a bit. She’d only been in his life a little more than a couple of weeks. Thinking about her leaving was the last thing Cole wanted. And nights like tonight were rare. So rare they were basically non-existent. Jade went to work, came home, and retreated to her bedroom. Every now and again, Cole would catch her briefly in the kitchen before or after work. Still, he let the remark slide for now because he had no intention of letting Jade get away from him anytime soon. Instead, he put the movie in the player. “What are we watching anyway?”
The seats in the theater room had been made for lovers. It made it impossible to sit too far away, but Jade hugged her corner as she sat next to him. “It’s called Pieces of Me. It was a book I read a long time ago by the author, LaShawn Vasser, and they turned it into a movie.”
“Is it good?”
“I enjoyed the book. It’s a modern day fairytale. Sweet girl meets a handsome, wealthy man who has a heart of gold on the inside but is rough on the outside. They are forced to get to know each other when their plane crashes on a deserted island.” She shrugged. “That kind of stuff doesn’t happen in the real world, but I loved it anyway.”
Cole hung on almost her every word. “Hmm…almost sounds a little like us except for the romance part. I don’t know. You probably wouldn’t be here if you had another choice.”
“Cole let’s not…”
He interrupted her as he opened the bottle of wine and poured each of them a glass. “It’s fine, Jade. I get it. I would be upset too if I’d done the things you think I did.”
He didn’t know that over the past couple of weeks, Jade desperately wanted to let go of the past. She was tired of carrying it around with her. But, with Cole, she needed it. She needed that armor of protection. Even at her angriest, somehow he still managed to send shivers down her spine.
“Are you cold?”
Did she shiver? Oh, God and he noticed. Jade sucked in her bottom lip and lied. “A little.”
He pushed another button, and the fireplace came on.
Her voice came out in a near whisper. “Are we ever going to watch the movie?”
“Of course. You want to see it, so let’s get to it.” He pressed the button, and it began to play.
Part of the way into it, Jade pulled her knees up to her chin with her eyes glued to the screen. Cole couldn’t get into the film because he’d been transfixed by all of Jade’s expressions. She had al
ways been interesting to watch. When she reached over to get another handful of popcorn, she caught Cole’s eyes staring at her. She held her breath and suddenly her mouth felt like cotton. By some miracle, she managed to speak. “What? Why are you looking at me like that?”
“You know I can tell almost everything you’re thinking by how expressive your face is? You’ve never been able to keep a straight face.”
She didn’t like being scrutinized and prayed that he couldn’t read her thoughts that easily. However, nobody had ever been better at reading her than Cole. Jade needed to change her expression and the subject quick. “What happened to your plans tonight? Elise right?” Talking about Elise helped to remind her of a whole host of things.
Cole picked up his wine and took a long sip before answering. “Yeah. She’s a bit upset with me.”
Jade picked up her glass and took a sip from it too. She laughed a bit to herself. He was always pissing off his girlfriends, and they used to always come to her hoping she would give them inside information. She never did. “You seem to have that effect on women. Always have. What did you do now?”
“I won’t propose.”
Jade stopped laughing. “Wow. Cole that’s pretty…um…serious. Are you sure you want to discuss this with me?”
As if it were the most natural thing in the world he responded. “Why wouldn’t I?”
“I don’t know. It just seems a bit strange?”
Determined to break through her shell he answered as honestly as he could. “Does it really feel strange, Jade? I just don’t think time can erase the bond that we had. Even though it’s been years, I haven’t been this at ease with talking to someone in a very long time.”
She couldn’t hold his gaze and decided to take another sip of her wine instead. “W-Why? Why won’t you propose if you don’t mind me asking?” She slowly put her glass back down.
Cole stared into his wine glass. “I care about Elise a lot, but I’m not sure if I can see me spending the rest of my life with her. Don’t get me wrong, it’s nothing against Elise. I just can’t see myself married to anyone. I’m too messed up to be someone’s husband.”
The Right Side of My Pillow Page 7
