Chapter 15
Cole figured out where everything was in Seth’s modern-day kitchen, so it was easy to find the cookware he needed to eat breakfast and cleaned up. He then loaded his camera into his bag, preparing for his next photo shoot on the books. His phone chimed, and he looked at the screen, seeing his new assistant, Bree, had sent him a reminder text.
10:16 AM… Cole: On my way
“You can tell your brother I fixed the leak in the kitchen sink,” his father said, while repacking his toolbox.
“Sure. I’ll catch you later. I have another photo shoot.”
His father cleared his throat. “I’m guessing a career change is out of the question for you.”
Cole forced a smile. “I can’t do what I love?”
“That can only take you so far. Creativity is fine but—”
“It’s not a doctor or lawyer. Right?”
“It’s more practical. I worked hard so you could have the opportunities I didn’t.”
Cole breathed through his nose and clasped his camera bag. Regardless if his father approved or not, he couldn’t show up late. “I’ll take my chances. I’ll see you later.” He didn’t stick around to listen to his father’s response. He didn’t care to hear it, anyway.
****
Leah drew in a long breath as she exited her car. The reflection of the nearing sunset glowed on the glass windows of Cole’s studio. She inched closer to the door. Her heart thudded though she willed herself to relax. She entered the shop and caught Cole with his camera in hand. Recognition dawned on her face at the sight of Miss. Adele and her husband, Victor, standing in front of the backdrop.
A smile tugged at Leah’s lips as the older couple embraced one another, staring into each other’s eyes. Cole captured the romantic moment on camera, pivoting to photograph all the angles. She recalled him doing the same for her own photo shoot, his precision impeccable. Cole left nothing unturned. He had a keen eye and could see the natural beauty in the world.
Leah’s eyes followed him as he snapped photos of the beloved couple. Then his eyes met hers. For a moment, she froze. Cole’s eyes glowed with affection, and then he resumed his work.
She swallowed as she moved to the corner of the room, rubbing her forearms as she waited. Like her parents, Miss. Adele and her husband had a forever love. Leah’s lower lip quivered. She touched her hand to her heart as Mr. Victor kissed his wife’s forehead.
“And we are done,” Cole said.
Miss. Adele clapped her hands. Her husband extended a hand to Cole, who returned the gesture.
“Thank you so much,” Miss. Adele said. She spread her arms wide and embraced Cole.
“You’re welcome. I appreciate the business,” Cole replied. “I’ll let you know when the photos are ready.”
Victor loosened his tie. “Now I can get out of this getup.”
His wife giggled. “You looked very handsome.”
“Thank you, honey,” her husband replied. He extended his arm, and she looped hers through his.
Leah placed her purse on the chaise lounge.
“Leah?” Miss. Adele greeted.
She embraced her favorite baker. “Nice to see you both.” She gave Victor a once over. “You look very suave in your tie.”
He stroked his white goatee. “Thank you, Leah.” His glacial blue eyes gleamed.
Miss. Adele cocked her head toward her husband. “So, I had to nag you to wear a tie, but someone else mentions it and your chest puffs out?”
Victor cleared his throat. “We’ll see you around the bakery, Leah.” He turned his head to Cole. “Have a good one, Cole.” He took his wife’s hand and escorted her outside.
Leah giggled, still hearing their bantering in the background. She wrapped her arms around herself and turned around. Cole stood a few feet away from her.
She gestured her thumb toward the door. “They’re cute together. What were their photos for?”
“Fortieth anniversary.”
She inched closer. “That’s sweet. It’s nice to see love like that.”
“Yeah it is. So… you ready to see the pictures?”
Leah took a calming breath. “Yes.”
He extended his hand and winked at her. Her heart skittered, and she clasped it. His strong fingers laced between hers, fitting perfectly.
“So, all the photos are on this USB drive,” Cole said as he released his grip. He opened his laptop and loaded the images.
Leah settled in the chair next to him. Her lips parted as she glanced at the screen. Who was the confident woman staring back at her? Her smile was fearless. Her poise graceful. She pressed her lips together. When was the last time she looked in the mirror and loved what she saw? Joy overwhelmed her as her eyes welled up with tears.
“Leah? What’s wrong?” Cole put an arm over her shoulder.
She pressed both hands to her cheeks. “I’m not supposed to cry. It’s not you. They’re so… beautiful.”
“It’s you, Leah.”
His compliment washed over her, soft as the south wind. She turned her head to face him. His eyes glowed with tenderness. They shared the same look at the movies. She froze, biting the inside of her cheek. If only they didn’t sit so close. If only his fingers didn’t stroke her arm. Was it hot suddenly? Every cell in her body came alive, and her chest rose and fell with deep breaths.
“Thank you,” she choked. Then she brought a hand to dab her eyes dry.
“You’re welcome. Are you okay now?” He smiled.
No, because I like you and I’m not ready to have feelings for anyone. Still, she forced a smile. “I’m okay.”
Cole released his embrace and scrolled through the pictures. Leah threaded her fingers through her hair and crossed her legs. She focused her eyes on the screen.
“What do you think?” he asked, sounding hopeful.
“They’re incredible.”
“I’m glad you think so.” Cole’s shoulders sagged. Was that a touch of annoyance in his voice? He then pinched the bridge of his nose.
Leah raised an eyebrow. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah. I’m sorry. That didn’t come out right.”
“Want to talk about it?”
Cole leaned back in his chair and rested his hands on his thighs. “Sometimes I still hear my dad in the back of my head. I still don’t think he’s on board with my career choice.”
Leah’s eyes roamed his studio. “He knows that you own this place, right? You’ve traveled all over the world.”
He gave a half-smile. He folded his arms across his chest. “I know. Still, I wish he understood.”
She touched his forearm. “He loves you. He may never understand, but you’re doing something you love. All parents want their children to be happy.”
Cole met her gaze. “That’s what I’ve missed.”
She furrowed her eyebrows. “What do you mean?”
“About being home. I’ve missed talking to you. I haven’t had that in a long time.”
He straightened in his seat. The distance between them decreased, and Leah’s lips parted. He would not kiss her, was he?
“Thank you for making me feel at home again.”
She cleared her throat. “You’re welcome.”
He kneaded his shoulder. “So, um… which ones do you like best?”
Leah pointed to the photo of her in the sundress leaning against the tree. “This is one of my favorites.”
“Saved.”
She heard the double clicks as he saved her picks. By the time they had finished, Leah had picked thirty photos.
She smiled. “How many did we take?”
“About a hundred.”
Her eyes bugged, but then her lips curved upward. “I’m proud of you. The photos are great. I can’t wait to upload them.”
“I’m glad you approve.” He cleared his throat. “So… I wanted to ask you something.”
“Okay?”
“Nothing wrong, but I’m photographing Holly’s wedding. I don’t have a plus one, so… I wanted to ask you to go with me?”
She tucked a hair lock behind her ear. “I got an invitation to her wedding. In fact, I designed her wedding dress.”
“You’re kidding?”
“No.”
“Leah, you’re amazing.”
She shrugged her shoulders. “I do okay.”
His eyes turned serious. “Never downplay what you do. Your work is incredible. I’m as proud of you as you are of me. And…” He leaned in closer, with his eyes gazing at her. “You still didn’t answer my question.”
“Sure.” Did I say that?
Cole’s eyes twinkled with clear satisfaction. “Great.”
She pointed at him. “But it’s not a date. We’re two friends going together.”
Cole raised his hands in a surrendered gesture. A smile tugged at his lips. “Not a date. Two friends hanging out.”
She eyed him but her smile gave her away. “Okay. I’ll go with that, but when they bring the cake out, I get first dibs after the bride and groom.”
“You have such a sweet tooth.”
She shrugged her shoulders. “It is what it is.”
Cole rubbed the back of his head. “I uh…” He blew out his cheeks. His forehead furrowed. “I don’t know how to ask this. It probably doesn’t matter, anyway.”
She tilted her head toward him. “Something wrong?”
“It’s um… Seth mentioned about asking you, and I wondered…”
“If there’s anything between us?” “We’ve been hanging out lately.”
“Seemed close when he hugged you at the movies. I’m sorry. I know you can take care of yourself. I like… being there for you.” His eyes glowed with affection.
“I know.” Her fingers ached with the need to touch his face, but she held them in place in her lap.
“Anyway. The wedding starts at two on Saturday. I’ll be arriving an hour early to capture scenery shots along with the incoming guests.”
“That’s fine.”
“Pick you up at twelve thirty?”
“Wouldn’t it be easier to meet you there?”
He rubbed his palms together. “It would, but I would rather have you with me. It’ll be like old times. Us hanging out.”
“Okay. Twelve thirty is perfect.” Leah, what are you doing?
****
“I don’t believe you when you say you’re eating,” Cole’s mother said.
He kissed the top of her head. “I am and if you tell me what’s on the menu tonight, I’ll eat that too.”
She clasped his hand and led him to the kitchen. “Your father and I already ate. Seth is running late, but you’ll see him later, anyway.” She clapped her hands. “I get my baby boy all to myself.”
“Not a baby anymore.”
She pointed to him. “To me, you always will be. Now what do you want on your plate?”
“Mom, I can make my plate.”
She dismissed his response with a wave. “Nope, as long as I’m here, I’m taking care of you. That is until someone else takes my place.”
“Take your place?”
She served his plate with green beans and salmon. “All mothers know that with their sons. Until you take a wife, I’ll be the only woman in your life.” Then her eyes gleamed. “I don’t mind passing the torch to another woman, as long as she loves you for you.”
Cole wrung his hands together. He made the first step in asking Leah to be his date for the wedding, but what would happen afterwards? His forehead creased.
“Does she know?” his mother asked.
He swallowed. “What are you talking about?”
His mother’s eyes narrowed at him. “You can’t fool your mother. I know my sons like the back of my hand. As for you, I’m referring to Leah. Does she know that you’re in love with her?”
A chill went through Cole. “Mom, Leah and I have been—”
“Friends, I know.” She bobbed in her head in plain agreement. “You used to hang out after school and study here in my living room. Not to mention you would sneak some of my chocolate chip cookies.”
“Her idea, not mine.”
She set his plate on the kitchen island. “All I know is I’ve never seen you light up before the way you do around her.”
The pit of his stomach fell along with his gaze. “Seth still has feelings for her.”
“Does Leah know?”
“She says they’re friends, but I know Seth. If he wants her, he won’t relent. I’ll lose like I did the last time.”
His mother reached over and patted his hand. “Why don’t you tell her? See how she feels.”
“I wanted to so many times. Even when she came by for her photos today, I…”
His mother tilted her head toward him. “She’ll never know unless you tell her.”
“Hopefully, I can do that this weekend.”
“This weekend?” her eyes sparkled. “You mean at Holly’s wedding?”
“I asked Leah to go with me. I don’t know what will happen, but I want it to be a start.”
“Your father and I were planning ongoing, but he has a surprise for me.”
Cole folded his arms across his chest. “Still the romantic, huh?”
“He’s a little challenged in that department, but I love him. I’ve gotten some interesting gifts over the years from your father.”
“He hasn’t been back by my studio.” Cole’s shoulders tensed, and his mother gave him a comforting pat.
“I’m proud of you. I always wanted you to be happy.”
“And Dad?”
“That’s his way. He needs time to get used to the idea.”
Cole rolled his eyes. “How much time does he need? I’m almost thirty.”
His mother’s eyes narrowed at him.
He sighed. “I didn’t mean that the way it sounded.”
“I know, but you two will find some common ground soon.”
“And if we don’t?”
His mother tapped her fingers to her lips. “I’ll protest.”
“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.”