Cole & Jamie

Chapter 18

I tossed and turned tangling my legs in Cole's sheets for what felt like the millionth time. I've done everything I could think of to fall asleep, but nothing is taking hold. Not counting sheep, not deep breathing, not even ASMR videos could help me. Sleep was not on my side tonight.

Maybe I would be able to take a nap on Cole and I's flight to New York tomorrow. 

Still wrestling with sleep, I turned to face Cole's sleeping back. Must be nice, he was asleep before his head hit the pillow. I worried my bottom lip between my teeth. "I should let him sleep," I thought as I poked him in the back. I pressed my fingers against his spine again. "Nah."

What are boyfriends for if you can't bother them in the middle of the night?

His skin was hot to the touch. Another medical mystery because he had the air conditioner set to arctic temperatures. If it wasn't for the thick comforter I'm sure I would have developed frostbite by now. I'm going to have to take up knitting to keep up with the number of blankets I'll need in this house. I kept poking up and down his back until he finally rustled.

"Go to sleep, Jamie," he grunted still laying on his side.

I shimmied closer until both my hands pressed against his muscular back. "I've tried, but nothing is working. I need you to talk to me."

Begrudgingly he rolled over slinging his arm over me with a sigh. "What do you want to talk about?"

"Do you think your friends will like me?" It was awfully insecure of me to ask a question like this but this is new(ish) territory for me. This isn't exactly a frat party with cheap beer and wine coolers.

"Oh, Jamie. They're going to love you," he told me. "Likely so much that they'll think you're too good for me and try to steal you away from me. Or at least try to scout you for a new TV show they're producing."

I rested my head on his chest. "Are you just saying that?"

"No, no, I'm not, I promise. My friend, Mike, produces reality shows. Granted I don't know how many of them are actually based on real-life events most of it's scripted but don't tell him I told you so. His wife, Ramona, will stop him if he starts asking you too many questions about it. She hates when he works at parties."

"Then there's Neil, I think you'll like him the most. He's very...boisterous."

"What does Neil do?" I asked curiously.

"The better question is what doesn't Neil do," he chuckled, "He's a man of many talents or interests I should say. He's trying his hand at philanthropy at the moment, but last year he was a fashion designer. And the year before that he opened a restaurant, then there was talk of him going to school to be a lawyer that was quickly forgotten when he realized he actually needed to go to school."

"Wow, must be nice." I always envied people who were multi-passionate. As long as I could remember I always wanted to open my own clothing store. It all started with my love of the entire shopping experience really. And now I get to do it every day. 

"Those are the benefits of being an heir to a real estate fortune. It gives you options."

"I'm nervous," I admitted into the dark.

"All you have to do is be your amazing charming lovable self and you'll have them eating out of the palm of your hand. They're already excited to meet you," he said softly, "And this event is camera free, so that should take some of the pressure off."

I released a slow breath. It did take quite a bit of pressure off my chest. "Okay," I yawned. Cole traced soothing circles across my back, which combined with his warmth and his deep voice was making sleep creep up on me faster than it has all night. 

My heavy lids fluttered closed. "I can't wait to meet them." 

I felt his lips against my forehead. "Feeling better?" 

"Uh-huh," I muttered now half asleep.  "Thank you for talking to me."

"Anytime, baby." 

This was a short one, I'm playing around with a new posting schedule so you will get another chapter of C&J very soon. Until then I hope you all are having a wonderful week and thank you so much for keeping up with this story. All your kind comments never go unnoticed.