Sometimes it seemed like yesterday. They’d spent just nine days together, yet those few days had shaped her life. A life she wouldn’t even have if it weren’t for him. She knew that now, even if she hadn’t really grasped the fact at the time. If he hadn’t taken her from Chuck that night, she’d be dead, her body probably dumped in the desert.
Yes, Cole had saved her life…and then he’d broken her heart.
She was devastated when she’d left that day. Riding away in that cab, she’d felt used and betrayed. How could they have shared what they had, and then for him to have just walked away? Like it had been nothing to him. Like she had been nothing to him.
Now he claims that’s not what happened. She’d often wondered since that day if it was Mack who wanted her gone, if the things he’d told her were true. What would have happened if Cole hadn’t left that morning?
She shook herself. What was the point in torturing herself with all this? It didn’t matter anymore. The only thing that mattered to her now were her children.
Her cell phone rang.
It was after ten. Her first thought was of Melissa. Something had happened. She jumped off the bed and dashed to the table where she’d left it. Picking it up without looking at the number on the screen, she answered in a panic, “Hello?”
“Hey, it’s me.” Cole’s voice was in her ear.
“Oh, hello.” She grabbed her chest, relief sinking in.
“You sound shocked. I said I’d call.”
“Yes, I know. It’s just late, and I thought maybe it was the hospital calling. That something had happened to Melissa.”
“Oh. Yeah. Sorry to call so late. I guess I didn’t think.”
“No. That’s okay.”
“Where are you staying?”
“The Daylight Inn by the airport.” She frowned. “Why?”
“Can I come by? Talk to you?”
“Ah, TJ is asleep and—”
“Please.”
That shocked her. Cole asking please? “All right. I guess so.”
“What room?” he asked.
“106. It’s in the back.”
“Be there soon.” He disconnected.
Fifteen minutes later Angel heard the distant roar of a motorcycle. It got closer and closer. Pulling the curtain back, she saw him roll around the corner and coast into a spot. She watched him cut the bike off and dismount, then pull his helmet and glasses off. She moved to open the door.
Cole looked up at her and moved toward her, his eyes never leaving hers.
Angel felt a jolt move through her body. He still has the power to unnerve me. She stepped aside, and he came in.
His eyes immediately went to the sleeping child lying on the far bed.
“Sit down,” she offered, indicating the small table and two chairs. She sat in one chair, crossing her legs.
He pulled the other over near her and sat.
They were so close, their legs were almost touching. She waited for him to talk, not really sure why he’d come.
He leaned forward, resting his forearms on his knees. “I’ve thought about you. Many times,” he said softly, looking down.
Of all the things she thought he might say, that wasn’t one of them. She stared at the top of his head. His blond hair looked a little longer now. It was still shot through with lighter streaks. She longed to reach out and touch it.
When she didn’t say anything, he looked up. “I’ve wondered, ya know?” He shrugged. “What would have happened…with us?”
Angel nodded. Staring into those blue eyes of his, she felt like she was in a trance. She’d forgotten how attractive he was. She took a breath and looked away. “I’ve wondered, too.”
“I didn’t send you away.”
She looked back at him.
He was shaking his head. “I never would have ended it like that. I never would have hurt you like that.”
“Why did Mack tell me that you did?” she asked.