Cole & Jamie

Chapter 15

This is the life.

The sun warmed my back as I lay in one of the many loungers surrounding Cole's pool. I'd taken Cole's advice and only worked half the day, so I took the morning shift and the girls will close the store tonight. The girls didn't mind, they all but pushed me out of the store this afternoon, and for once, I didn't mind.

I never considered myself the sunbathing type but I could definitely see the appeal now. I've also never had unlimited access to a pool before. Outside of the local YMCA, my neighborhood didn't have a public pool growing up and once I moved to New York swimming wasn't my top priority. But here Cole has one at his full disposal, and since we're dating I guess that means that I have one too.

Cole's house is like a paradise. I have no idea why he ever wants to come to my house when he can spend his time here. He has the pool, an amazing kitchen, his studio, and even a movie room.

My phone rang from underneath my beach towel. After checking the caller's I.D. I answered immediately. "Jackson! How are you?"

"I'm great, how about you stranger?" he laughed on the other end. "I haven't heard from you in a while I thought I was going to have to make a trip down to McKenzie to check on my girl."

"I'm sorry," I apologized. "Life's been a little busy lately." It wasn't a valid excuse, but it was the only one I could give. Jackson and I met during orientation at NYU. He was my first, and for a long time, only friend in the city but I had no complaints. After graduation, we were roommates and lived together until I made the decision to move back to Michigan. If it wasn't for him the city would have chewed me up and spit me out. And it tried to, several times.

Thankfully, I had Jackson there to lean on.

He runs his own tech startup now, a very successful one I might add. I couldn't tell you the specifics because all of that goes way over my head, but it has something to do with the cloud, firewalls, VPNs or something like that.

"Forgive me," I pleaded, rolling onto my back so I could even out my tan.

"Fine," he huffed on the other line. "But you're doing well?"

"I am, I promise."

"Good," he exhaled. "I've been worried."

"I was actually planning to call you. I'm going to be in the city in a few weeks and I was hoping we could meet up, it's been so long since I've seen you."

"Of course, I always have time for you." I could hear the sounds of the city in the background as we talked and it made my excitement for Cole and my trip grow even more. "What's the occasion?"

"The guy I'm seeing has a work trip and he wants me to tag along." Cole invited me to a charity gala his friend was hosting in New York City in a few weeks. A charity gala didn't seem like work to me, but I don't know what goes on in the world of the rich and famous. I was more concerned with meeting Cole's friends for the first time. Not to mention, this would be our first public appearance together.

Jackson gasped on the other end of the loan. "There's a new guy? Wow, you really have been holding out on me."

I laughed. "It's very–very new."

"But going well enough for you to take trips together," he hummed. "Sounds serious."

"We've known each other since elementary school but the whole dating thing is new for us." Once I got started talking about Cole, I just couldn't stop. "He's sweet and good looking, and charming. You are going to love him."

"He sounds like a dream. I can't wait to meet him. Send me the dates you're going to be here and I'll have Kyle clear a few days of my schedule."

"I'll send them right over."