“Protest?”
“I won’t cook.”
Cole’s eyes widened. “You not cook? Dad will starve.”
She squinted, eyes lit with an inner glow of mischief. “He knows how to make a grilled cheese sandwich.”
Cole rose from his seat and walked over to hug his mother. She rubbed his back.
“I love you, Mom.”
“I love you.”
Chapter 16
Leah faced her mirror and smoothed the front of her emerald green sleeveless dress, pirouetting to look at the cutout back. While the gold pumps completed her look, she had a pair of ballet flats stuffed in her clutch bag. Her head jerked toward the door when she heard the doorbell.
When she opened the door, Cole stood in his black tuxedo, his eyes gleaming. “You look… incredible.”
Warmth spread through Leah. “Thank you. You look good too.”
Cole extended his hand. “Ready to go?”
Grateful her neighbor agreed to watch Chip, Leah pivoted to grab her purse. “Ready.” She placed her hand in his hand. Sensations danced through her fingers and heat coursed in her veins. She quickly released his hand and slid into the passenger’s seat of his truck.
“Nervous?” Cole asked.
“Why should I be nervous? I’m not the one getting married.” Disappointment sagged through her. “Sorry that came out wrong.”
“I’m here if you want to talk about it.”
Leah shrugged her shoulders. “It’s weird going to a wedding, and I… thought I’d be married by now too.”
“Is that what happened with your ex?”
“I got dressed up for a romantic dinner, and next thing I knew, Brian tells me he’s moving to Chicago. He broke up with me, and I left.”
Cole looked at her, a rueful smile on his face. “He must not have known what he had.”
Leah gave half a smile.
“So… I’m guessing this has to do with your dating… what was it?”
“Hiatus.” She shrugged her shoulders. “It’s nothing set in stone. I wanted to take some time for me.”
“So, if a man was interested in you, would you give him a chance?”
“If I liked him back, but I would still want to take things slow. The last thing I need is a rebound relationship.” She raised an eyebrow, tilting her head toward him. “Why do you ask? You’re not going to chase away my prospects, are you?”
“I have to make sure we keep the ‘heartbreakers’ away.”
“You were always protective of me.”
“Still am.”
Leah’s eyes scanned Cole once again in his tuxedo. A smile tugged at her lips.
****