*Isabella's POV*
As I stepped out of the car and onto the curb, I couldn't help but feel a rush of excitement at seeing Cole again. As he opened the door, I flew into his arms, wrapping my own around him tightly. "Oh my god, I missed you!" I exclaimed, feeling a sense of relief wash over me.
Cole chuckled and wrapped his arms around me, pulling me close. "Oh my favourite bitch, I missed you too," he said, his voice low and smooth. I took a step back and looked around the apartment, taking in the familiar surroundings. But as I caught a whiff of something, my eyes narrowed. "The hell you did," I teased, raising an eyebrow. "This place reeks of a woman's perfume."
Cole's face turned bright red as he looked away, trying to hide a smile. "Ah, yeah, that's...uh...the girl I've been seeing," he stammered, looking like a kid who had been caught with his hand in the cookie jar. "Since that night, you know, when you came knocking at my door needing a place to stay."
I felt a pang of surprise at his words, but then something clicked into place. "You don't have to keep reminding me, Cole," I said, rolling my eyes. But then, as I processed what he had just said, my eyes widened in shock. "WAIT...it's actually a girl?" I exclaimed, the realization hitting me like a ton of bricks.
"Dah," Cole replied, his expression a mix of amusement and annoyance. I raised an eyebrow, intrigued by his cryptic response. "So, is it seriously?" I asked, pressing him for more information about his relationship with this mysterious girl.
But Cole just shook his head, a sheepish grin spreading across his face. "It's complicated," he said, which only made me roll my eyes in exasperation. "Of course it is, everything is always complicated with you," I teased, chuckling at his predictable response.
Cole chuckled, but then his expression turned playful. "Look who's talking," he said, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "You came back from New York in Prada." He teased, his voice rising slightly with worry and frustration. "How much have you spent?" he asked, his tone laced with concern.
I rolled my eyes, feeling a bit defensive. "Relax, will you? I didn't touch your credit card," I replied, holding up my hands in a calming gesture. Cole's expression turned skeptical, and he raised an eyebrow. "Don't tell me you robbed a bank," he joked, a smirk playing on his lips.
I laughed, feeling a bit embarrassed. "Geez, I got a company card," I replied, trying to sound nonchalant. But Cole's eyes narrowed, his curiosity piqued. "Oh, they issued a card for you for New York? Did they have time?" he inquired, his tone laced with sarcasm.
I sighed, feeling a bit frustrated at his nosy questions. "I hate how nosy you are," I said, throwing up my hands in exasperation. "Damien gave me his, okay?" I replied, finally revealing the source of my lavish shopping spree.
"oh he's Damien now did you two.." he trailed off teasing "EW Cole your so disgusting, no" I exclaimed in response "Ok. Whatever you say," he drawled, lips curling into a smirk. "But your smile? Yeah, that shit's telling a different story."
I rolled my eyes. "It's not about him. He's gone… for two damn weeks."
"On vacation," I added quickly, trying to brush it off.
Cole chuckled, a low, knowing laugh. "Yeah, right. Who am I kidding? He never fucking goes on vacation."
I shot him a look, trying to sound confident. "He's on business in Cuba."
He raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. "Lucky bastard. So, we're bossless now. Well, I have a boss—" he paused, smirking, "but you..."
I rolled my eyes again, feeling a little defensive. "Actually, Jacob came back to Raleigh. So, technically, I do have a boss."
Cole's brow furrowed as he thought. "Jacob, huh? He must be the one who's got that stupid smile on your face." His words hit a nerve, pulling my mind straight back to New York—the gala, the flight back, the way I'd blushed every time I thought about him.
Cole's eyes glittered with mischief. "You skank. Did you fuck him?"
My face heated, and I groaned. "Ugh, I wish. No. We just made out." I muttered, feeling both embarrassed and annoyed at how easily he could read me.
Fuck, I wish we had.My mind drifted back to New York—the gala, the flight home. My cheeks flushed hot with the memory. I could still feel the way he looked at me—those eyes, intense and hungry. The way his hands had touched me, firm but gentle, making my skin tingle. And the kisses...damn. Soft at first, then deep, like he was trying to memorize every inch of me. I could still feel the heat of his lips, the way my heart pounded in my chest.
I blinked, trying to shake off the sudden flush of desire, but the memory lingered, vivid and raw. It was so fucking easy to get lost in that moment—so easy to let my mind wander back to that night of the gala and pretend it was happening all over again.