Free Love Redone in Hidden Harbor (Island County Book 2) by Karice Bolton Page B

Samler and I caught you.”
    That was so not what happened.
    “Remember how I got you to come out of the car?” He kept talking, but all I let myself hear from him was blah, blah, blah, I left you and screwed up your chance at a real loving, adult relationship.  
    “I’ll be right back.” He knocked on the window, and I jumped.
    When I was positive he wasn’t facing me any longer, I glanced over at him and it was the death of me. Dark blue jeans hugged Cole’s long, lean legs and with each step he took, the fabric tugged perfectly around his thighs. Even though it was cold outside, he wore nothing more than a black thermal that stretched across his broad shoulders. He looked absolutely incredible and all he did was wake up on a Saturday morning.
    I, on the other hand, had my hair in a loose bun because I was too lazy to do anything else with it this morning. I’d put on pink sweatpants that accentuated my thick thighs, and a white sweater that was far too baggy; both of which had seemed like a good idea for my trip to the flower warehouse this morning, and now not so much, and another reason why I’d be staying in the car until he left. I moved the black scarf up my chin and watched him grab one of the Adirondack chairs off my porch. He turned around, but I darted my eyes away before he caught me looking.
    As he made his way over, I let out a groan. This was going to be a long afternoon, and I still needed to finish a bridal bouquet for tomorrow. Cole plunked the chair down next to the driver’s door and tapped on the window just to make sure I knew he’d arrived.
    This time, I didn’t even flinch.
    “I really had no idea you owned the floral shop,” he began.
    Right. I think we established that before your fiancée ran off.
    “But I’m not sure things would have worked out any different even if it had been another owner,” he continued. “It’s a small island, and I’m sure we would’ve run into each other at some point over the weekend.”
    I stayed quiet and focused on the gutters dripping water from last night’s rainfall. Why wasn’t it pouring now when it could actually do some good?
    “You’re really talented, Natty. I always knew you’d wind up doing something creative.”
    An unexpected shiver rippled through my entire body. It wasn’t that I wanted approval from him. It was just how he spoke, how his words ran through me, and how the tone of his voice carried me into a past full of mostly wonderful memories.
    Okay, back to reality.
    “I don’t think it was an accident we’ve run into each other. I really don’t. I’ve come to believe in fate and destiny over the years. I don’t think it’s an accident at all.”
    Of course he didn’t. They never did. I’d seen this a thousand times.
    One.
    Last.
    Fling.
    “I talked to Sophie last night, and it seems your interpretation of events is quite different than mine. Different enough it concerns me.”
    I wasn’t going to take the bait.
    Cole propped his elbow on the side mirror and even that closeness was too much for me. The attraction I felt to him was unhealthy. I shouldn’t feel his energy coming through the glass, not after this many years.
    But I did.
    I felt every part of him.
    “I wish this could be a two-way conversation.” He let out a sigh and ran his finger along his jaw. “I know you can see me.”
    My hand slid to the handle on my seat, and I reclined back. Now lying down and staring at the ceiling, I shut my eyes and congratulated myself on getting Cole out of my side view.
    “Cynthia left this morning.”
    You should have followed her.
    “I don’t know what the future holds there.”
    If he was trying to seduce me, those weren’t the magical words.
    “I think there’s been a lot of dishonesty in the relationship.”
    Why was he telling me this? I didn’t want to be involved.
    “You and I never had that problem. We told each other everything, remember?”
    Up until the end when it counted.
    “I’m sure