Page 158 of The Heart Breaker

She lets out a chuckle, but then tilts her head. “He also said myfriendwas very convincing in making him see how what he said hurt me.”

I do my best to keep my face neutral. “Sounds like you have great friends.”

She just stares at me. “None who would go talk to him.”

I lift a shoulder. “Maybe you underestimate them.”

“Cole,” she says with a warning in her tone.

I sigh, because apparently, I’m dating a woman who reads my face way too damn well now. “He deserved to know what an idiot he was for letting you walk out of that office,” I tell her. “And yeah, I know it wasn’t my place. I know you can handle your own shit. Believe me, I’m very aware of that. But he got one chance to have you in his life, and he blew it.”

My hand settles at her waist, my thumb brushing slowly against the side of her dress. “Anybody who gets the chance to have you in their life should fight like hell to keep you there, Aurora.”

She swallows and her eyes go shiny, but she holds my gaze. “You really couldn’t leave it alone, could you?” she says, shaking her head a little.

“I didn’t hit him,” I point out. “I think that shows real growth.”

She rolls her eyes. “Wow. The bar is in hell.” But then she leans in and kisses me, pulling back a second later, resting her fingers over the button of my shirt. “Thank you.”

I brush my thumb over her cheek. “I told you I’d do anything for you, Prescott, and I meant it.”

Her chin dips a little before she looks back at me. “He asked if I’d meet him for coffee.”

Every muscle in my body locks.

I don’t say anything right away. Don’t trust my face, either. I just make my hand loosen on her waist.

“I haven’t said yes,” she adds.

I let out a breath through my nose. “Do you want to?”

“I don’t know.” She glances toward the window, her mouth tightening. “Part of me does, but the other part of me wants to tell him to shove his coffee up his ass.”

I huff out a laugh. “Both valid.”

She smiles but fades just as quickly, her gaze dropping to my shirt as her fingers twist one of the buttons. “I just keep thinking…” She trails off, her teeth catching her bottom lip before she lets it go. “I wanted that for so long. For years. I wanted him to want to know me.” Her eyes lift to mine then, and there’s so much old hurt in them it punches straight through me. “And now that he might, I don’t even know what I’m supposed to do with that.”

“You don’t have to decide tonight,” I say.

Her eyes flick back to mine.

“You don’t owe him an answer just because he finally decided that he wants to be in your life.” My hands slide to her face. “If you want to go, go. If you want to tell him to fuck off, I’ll support that too.”

She smiles, keeping her eyes on mine.

“I’m serious,” I say. “Whatever you do, do it because it’s what you want. Not because he suddenly decided he’s ready.”

Her face softens a little at that, some of the tension easing out of her shoulders. “And if I don’t know what I want yet?” she asks.

I lean down and press my lips to her forehead. “Then take your time. Be selfish, baby. You waited twenty years for him. He can wait a little longer for you.”

Her blue eyes soften, a little wet, and her fingers curl into the front of my shirt as she pulls me down to her and kisses me. “I love you, Cole Ellis,” she whispers against my lips.

My hand slides to her jaw, and I smile against her mouth. I’ll never get tired of hearing that. “I love you, Aurora Prescott.”

I kiss her again because I can’t seem to help myself. Because she’s here, pressed against me, and some part of me still can’t believe I get to have this.

I spent years telling myself I hated this girl. Little did I know I’d spend the rest of my life loving her.