Chance Encounter - Jerry Cole Page 0,13

girls wanted to sleep in, and we stayed up an extra couple of hours ourselves.

In the morning, we rested in bed for a while. “I loved having you around my friends. They all liked you so much.”

“They’re good people,” he told me, smiling over at me. “It wasn’t an issue.”

“It has been in the past.” He raised a brow,

“He didn’t show up, did he?” Gray checked, and I shook my head. “Good. I hate the guy, and I’ve never met him.”

I leaned over to kiss him before grabbing the coffee that we were sharing. “I’ll add you to the list.” I sighed and glanced at my phone. “We should get ready. They want to meet us in thirty.”

“Can we come back to bed afterward?” He asked as I nodded. I felt like I couldn't get enough of this guy. We showered together and dressed in jeans and shirts. Gray offered to drive to the hotel, opening my door for me. I kissed him before sliding into the passenger seat, smiling as he started the engine.

We arrived at the hotel, laughing when we walked in to find the girls. Becca just looked tired, but Mari looked like she needed to still be in bed. “Feeling a little tired, Sunshine?” I greeted her as she groaned, sipping water.

“It’s her fault for having a party,” Mari muttered, brushing her hair back.

“I didn’t force the drinks down your throat, Mar. Besides, you had a great time.” Becca smiled at her girlfriend as Mari glared at her.

We ordered coffee while Mari sipped orange juice, asking for fruit to eat for breakfast. We ordered platters of food while she rolled her eyes. She seemed to feel better after a while, even taking a bite of Becca’s waffle. We chatted over breakfast, and when the bill was paid, Becca and Mari smiled at each other.

“So, we were talking the last few days, and Mari plans to move here. She needs to get a job, but she’s going to move into the apartment when that happens.” They were holding hands, and we stood up to hug them.

“Why Washington?” Gray asked as I stared at Becca. I didn’t want to be away from her, and I suspected the same thing.

“Well, I love the ocean. I love living in California, but I need a change. I also know that Becca’s life is here, and I think I’ve fallen more in love with it with each visit. I have a few casual friends there, but not too close. I’ve only lived there for a couple of years. My family is in Massachusetts, so it doesn’t matter where I live. I still need to hop a plane to visit them.” She hugged Becca. “We have an ocean here, and this gorgeous city. I can get a job at an art gallery here, and it’ll rock.”

“It will,” I replied, and we all grinned. “Want to hang out? I don’t work until later.”

“Sure.” We went into Seattle and wandered the streets, grabbing coffee and talking about their life together here. I headed home with Gray to get ready for work, making plans to meet here later since I had the following day off.

I smiled as I walked into the theater, feeling like everything was going to work out. Greeting the crew that night, I headed right to the back to help out since the ticket window was staffed for the night. I loved being in the chaos of set changes and helping the actors out, hoping that the time passed quickly. I needed a day off and a whole one in bed with Gray.

He was waiting outside when I left the theater, taking my hand as he kissed my cheek. “Home?” He asked, and I gazed at him. “Are you hungry?”

“A little, but I can make something at home. Can you stay with me?” He nodded. “When are you in charge of your grandma again?”

“A week. I think you should stay with me and meet her. I’ve told her about you.” He grinned, leaning in for a kiss.

“I’d love that.” We walked to his car, and he drove me home. We headed to the door, unlocking it before he went to check the kitchen for food. I changed into shorts, walking out to see him cooking breakfast.

“You had everything we needed.” He smiled.

“That smells amazing,” I told him, sitting at the counter to watch him. I sipped the coffee that I picked up on the way out, getting lost in an image of us