Love Drunk

Chapter 6

Cole

I walk beside Shale, passing people on the busy New York streets. It was a struggle to not get separated from her. Finally, I reached over and slowly grabbed her hands.

Sparks flew up my arm, making me smile to myself as I pulled her to my side to avoid the crowd. She fit perfectly into my side and her hand fit perfectly into my own.

"Here we are," I say with a smile, holding open the door to Panera for Shale.

"Thank you," she says quietly, biting her bottom lip as she walks in, my hand still held in hers.

I follow in after her, to the counter and we quickly order. Shale attempts to pay for her food, but I don't let her, grabbing her credit card before she can give it the cashier I hand her mine instead and look down at Shale triumphantly.

She crosses her arms over her chest and outs teasingly at her failed attempt at paying. I lean down and kiss her cheek.

"Next time, babe," I smirk, though I will never let her pay for her own stuf as long as we're together.

Her face goes red, causing me to chuckle as I pull her away from the counter to wait for our food. Once we get out food and drinks, we find a booth hidden in the corner. Shale slides into one side, and I sit across from her so that I can see her beautiful face.

She adjusts her glasses, a habit I've come to love in the few minutes I have seen those glasses on, and then looks up at me, biting her lower lip nervously.

"So...why did you come to the office today instead of just texting or calling me?" she asks casually, taking a bite out of her sandwich.

"Well...I was going to text you later last night, to give you time to catch up with your cousin, but I fell asleep," I say sheepishly, causing her to chuckle.

"Thank you for letting me catch up with Olivia. It's been so long since I've last seen her and she's changed so much..." she trails off, a hint of sadness creeping into her voice.

"What do you mean?" I ask carefully, taking a sip of soup.

"Well she's been gone in the middle of a war for over a year now and she...she's experienced so much. She's tough as hell, but I still feel like she's slipping away on the inside, you know? Sorry, not your problem. So what do..."

"I don't mind. You can tell me all about your problems and make them mine," I say sincerely, wondering where this caring side came from.

"She just seems lost. She keeps a tough exterior and on the outside, she's the same fun crazy Olivia with a hint of hostility, but war changed her. She tries to pretend that everything's okay, but she's been through so much in such a short period of time that she's just becoming darker and colder, you know?" she says, taking a sip of sprite.

"Yeah, I understand. Just know that if you ever need help with anything, I'm right here."

"Thanks, but don't you live in California?" she asks, a hint of disappointment in her voice.

"Yes, but I really don't have to be there all of the time," I shrug.

'But still, what are you doing here with me if you are just going to have to leave? I just want to know what you are planning before I give in," she says shyly.

"Give in to what exactly?" I ask with a smirk, causing her to look up and glare at me playfully.

Her feelings.

"Well, I help my father run his restaurant and who knows, maybe we could open one in New York," I smile at her, liking that plan very much.

I'm going to have to work on that and find a nice building. I like that idea very much.