You Again (Completed) ✔️

40.

I climb out of the car and follow Cole to the 1969 Ford Mustang. "How does she look from underneath?"

"Great, I can't believe the old guy gave you this car for $500.00. What was he thinking?"

A smile spreads across my face. "The guy wants someone else to have fond memories of this car. Just like he does with his wife, do you think a car can bring people close, Cole?"

He looks at the car and back to me. "If it's a 1969 Ford Mustang, it will." He smiles at me and then pulls me into his arms. "You know you offered to take me to Lax tonight?"

"Yeah,"

"A friend of mine is coming with me, and we'll be flying by his private jet. Can you take me to the private airfield instead?"

"Sure, how about we stop at McDonald's before you leave and grab something to eat? It's not a date, Cole."

He laughs. "Of course, it's not a date. What I call a date is you dressing in something sexy. I'll take you to a nice restaurant with dimmed lights and candles around the table. A bottle of champagne on ice."

That would be a perfect date.

"Thanks for the clarification, Cole. It'll probably be hard for me to find something sexy to wear, considering you've probably dated girls who have worn most of the clothes on the shelves."

He turns me towards him and makes me look into his blue eyes. "I haven't dated that many girls because the one girl I want..." he cuts himself off. "I'm not going to continue telling you how I feel. By now, you should know how I feel."

I say, placing my hand on his shoulder. "I do, Cole. I'm not ready to give myself to you like that right now. I need to concentrate on looking out for myself. I hope you're still there for me when I'm ready."

He slides under the car. "I will wait until you're ready, Julia. Now, can you pass me the wrench? I need to tighten some bolts at the bottom of the car."

I pull the wrench out to the toolbox next to the car. Lying on my stomach, I hand him the wrench. "Do you need anything else?"

"Nah, this is good for now."

I don't move from my position and watch him do his job.

A car pulls into the driveway of the garage. "Jesse's here."

Cole slides out from under the car. He wipes his hand in his coveralls. "I'm going to wash up." He walks into the shop and enters the bathroom.

Jesse steps out of the car with a briefcase in his hand. He walks over to me. "Hey, you must be the person Cole wants me to meet."

"Yeah, I am." Looking at the bathroom, I see Cole walk out of it and move right over to me.

He puts his arms around me and says, "Jesse, I hope you remember Julia Harris."

"Wow," he whistles. "You turned into a beautiful woman. Thank you for all the tutoring you gave me in our senior year. I wish you had come to college with me. I'm sure you would have made me pass my classes."

My face heats up. "Thanks, Jesse." Looking at the ground, I say. "I need your help."

A smile spreads across his face. "I can't believe I'm hearing that from your mouth. Normally, it's me asking you for help. So, tell me who I need to look into for you?"

Cole whispers in my ear, "I want you to look into my Uncle. His name is Kevin Harris. I need to know if what my siblings have been saying is true. Also, there's a company called Midnight Exports. Supposedly, that's linked to my uncle. Lastly, I want you to dig up whatever you can on my brothers, Liam and Antwon Harris. They have secrets, and I need to know about them."

Jesse writes everything down: "Thus, it is going to take a while for me to gather information. I'll give you the friend's rate since you helped me out when I needed it."

"Thanks, Jesse." Looking at Cole, I say. "I need to see my uncle this weekend. I want to hear what he has to say."

He rubs his face with his hands. "I don't like the idea of you going on your own, but if you have to find out, call the prison and put your name in the books." Looking at Jesse, he says. "I need you to go with her. Keep her safe until I get back from New York on Monday."

"I will," Jesse promises. He gives me a card. "Call me before you leave, and I'll follow you there."

"Okay," I said, placing the car in my phone. It was nice seeing you again, Jesse."

"You too, Julia. I hope you can make it to the ten-year reunion. It would be great to catch up with you outside of work."

"I'll think about it."

Jesse climbs into his car and honks the horn before driving away.

Pulling my phone out of my pocket. I call the prison.

Guard: Hello, Twin Towers Correctional Facilitates; this is Collins.

Me: Hey, I would like to see a prisoner tomorrow.

Guard: Can I have the name of the prisoner?

Me: Sure, it's Kevin Harris.

Guard: What's your name? I'll put it in the books.

Me: Thanks; my name is Julia Harris.

Guard: The doors are open for visitors between 10 and 3. Please, come during those times.

Me: I will. Thanks.

I hang up the phone and look at Cole. "Everything is set up for tomorrow so I can see my Uncle."

"Don't forget to call Jesse. He will have your back while you're at the prison."

"I won't."

Cole nods. "Let me grab my suitcase, and then we can hang out for a bit before you drop me off at the private airfield."

"Okay," I watch him walk into the back office. A couple of seconds later, he returns with his suitcase. I throw him the keys, and I say, "You can drive."

A smile spreads across his face. "Great, I didn't want to be a passenger anyway."

I climb into the front passenger seat and put my seatbelt on.

Cole throws his bag into the trunk and walks to the driver's seat. He climbs into the car and starts the engine. Pulling out of the garage, we head into the city. "I want to see the Hollywood sign before I go for a few days."

I saw that before I left for New York ten years ago. It was one of my favourite things to see, and the city was, too. I look out the window as we travel on the interstate. When we get to a turn-off, Cole takes it.

He takes his eyes off the road for a moment. "I'm glad I'm spending time with you before I leave."

A smile spreads across my face. "Me too, Cole. I hope you have fun in New York."