Making My Way to You

Chapter 6

An hour later she walked into Gina's to see Cole sitting at a table in the corner. She smiled and waved.

"Hi." He stood up as she walked over.

"Hi." She took her jacket off as a waitress came over. "I'll have  my usual, Anna and a chocolate chip muffin."

"Venti black coffee." Cole smiled.

They chatted for a bit then Cole looked at her. "Just ask me what you want to ask..."

"How did you know I wanted ask you something?"

"Because I know you, Lils..." He smiled.

She took a deep breath. "How's Katie?"

Cole took a drink of his coffee before meeting her eyes. "I wouldn't know. I haven't seen her since that day in my kitchen."

"What?"

"I ended whatever that was the day you walked into my kitchen."

"Cole, I...."

"I know... it's hard to believe me because of what I did." He looked at her closely. "Are you dating?" A sour taste filled his mouth as he said it out loud

She shook her head. "No...I'm not ready for that."

Cole looked at his watch. "Wow. I hate to cut this short but I have to get back..."

"Yea I should get back to the store." She stood up and put on her jacket.

"I'll walk you back..."

"Cole, it's just down the street..."

"My mama raised a gentleman..."

"Yes she did." He pushed open the door and followed her out. "So any chance you wanna have dinner with the band tonight?"

"I wish I could but I have to do inventory.... Rain check?" she asked as they approached her store.

"Always. Thanks for meeting me, Lila."

"Thanks for the coffee."

"We should do it again."

"Anytime."

That evening she locked the doors behind the girls and set to work counting the inventory. Cole was at the front of her mind but she shoved him to the side and focused on counting.

Cole was distracted as they sat down to dinner. "Yo." Clint shoved him. "Where's your head? Your mind is somewhere else and has been all day."

"He met Lila for coffee." Joel volunteered. "Then he invited her to dinner. "

"Where is she?" Regina took a sip of her margarita.

"She's counting inventory." Cole sighed.

Lacey looked at Joel then at him. "What are you doin with us?"

"Huh?"

"Go order dinner, Cole. Order it to go. Take her dinner. I'm sure she's starving. Go get your girl back."

"Are ya'll sure?"

"Yea. What are you still sittin there for? Go."

Delilah made it through three boxes of inventory and had just opened a bottle of water when there was a knock on the front door. She stuck her head out and spotted Cole through the glass.

She put the bottle down and walked through the store. She flipped the locks. "Hey."

"Hi."

"What are you doin here?"