“You know it.” He shook his head and chuckled, giving me a look that told me I was being ridiculous.
“Sorry I made you cut your hair.” And before I could stop myself, I was running my fingers through the soft edges of his hair. “It really was beautiful.”
“I can always grow it back if I want.” He leaned his cheek into my hand. “But I actually like it better this way.”
His cheek was warm against my palm, and in that moment, I remembered the other time my fingers had touched his face—gotten lost in his hair. And I suddenly wanted to know what it would be like to kiss him again.
I’d told myself it was wrong to relive that night so many times when I’d gone back to Chad, but now…I couldn’t help but wonder if I’d remembered the softness of his lips right.
Or if all those butterflies I remember feeling had been real.
Was it really possible for someone who had only ever been your best friend to actually be the one person who could light your whole world on fire?
I didn’t know.
I also didn’t know if I dared try to figure it out. Because I had a feeling that if I let myself fully experience what it would be like to be tangled up in Cole’s arms, I may never want to leave.
I let my fingers lazily trace their way down the back of his neck, liking the texture of his hair where it was short. I had cut a lot of hair in my day but touching his was different in a way. It was nicer.
When I saw goosebumps on his neck, my fingers itched to do more. To see what would happen if I touched his skin with my lips.
But no. That would be crossing the line.
And crossing lines made things messy.
So deciding that I’d indulged myself enough, I pulled my fingers away and said in a low voice, “I’m glad you’re not mad at me for making you cut it in order to be your dating coach.”
“I’m not mad.” His eyes searched mine. As if he was trying to figure out what was going through my mind. “I think there may actually be something to it. I’m feeling a little more confident about my chances of reaching my goal anyway.”
His goal?
His goal of finding a girlfriend to build a life with?
Or making something happen with a specific girl?
I didn’t dare ask.
Because if I did, I might have to sabotage his plans in order to protect us from the future that would eventually come. And that would be a pity because I really didn’t want to completely mess up such a perfect night.
27
Arianna
Dinner was delicious. We decided to forgo dessert since we filled up on all the yummy food. While the waiter cleared our table, Cole pulled me out of the secluded alcove we’d eaten our meal in and onto the floor so we could dance to my favorite song when Incognito started singing it.
“I kind of feel like I’m on one of those iconic dates from Finding Your Soulmate,” I told Cole as we swayed from side to side to the beat of “Miles Away Next to You.”
A guilty expression crossed Cole’s features and he said, “I may have used the show for just a little inspiration.”
“You can’t go wrong with that, I suppose.” I grinned. “I mean, women from all across America swoon over those dates every Monday.” I glanced over at the band. “But how did you arrange for Incognito to come here? Because from what I hear, he rarely does small things like this because he’s so paranoid about protecting his identity.”
Cole shrugged. “Let’s just say that I know a guy who knows a guy.”
“And who would that guy be?” I pried.
“Just someone. You can’t expect me to give away all my secrets, can you?”
“You famous people.” I shook my head. “You really do protect each other’s privacy, don’t you?”
“I guess we all know what it’s like to live in a glass house and have everyone commenting on your every move, or every haircut.” He gave me a meaningful look. “So we try to give each other the courtesy we want for ourselves.”
“So that’s the real reason why you closed out the whole restaurant, isn’t it?” I said with a sly grin. “You didn’t want everyone to know you’re on a practice date with me, did you?”
“You caught me.” He chuckled, and I liked that I could feel it