“Oh, hey, don’t cry,” Cole pulled her into his arms and held her. “It’s okay. I understand. Am I a little disappointed? Only because I’ve been wanting to kiss you all night. But you’re not ready, I get that. How about this,” he pulled back so he could look at her. “What if we try just being friends first? None of this romantic stuff. We just keep getting to know each other as friends for a while?”
“You’d want to do that?” Bri sniffed doubtfully.
“Of course! You’re still the most interesting girl I’ve ever met. And I was serious when I said I wanted to know everything about you. What do you say?”
Bri smiled. “I think I’d like that very much.”
“Good, me too!” he smiled back. “Just so I’m clear, hugs are allowed, right?”
Bri laughed and pulled him back to her. “Of course,” she said in his ear. It felt so good to be held in his arms, that for a minute she questioned her decision. But this was for the best. It was better to be smart, take things slowly, be cautious, rather than just jump blindly into something.
And so, sooner than she would’ve liked, she released Cole and unlocked her door.
“Bye, Cole. Thank you.”
“Bye, Ambria. Have a good night. Oh, Bri?” he called as she got into her car. “Come visit me down at the beach next week?”
“I’ll be there Monday,” she smiled, and closed the door. She checked her rearview mirror as she drove away. Cole stood there, watching her, until she was out of sight.
Chapter 5
Of course, Bri’s dad was waiting up for her in the living room when she got home.
“So, how’d it go?” he asked innocently.
Bri smiled. She was so onto him. “It was fun. I had a really good time. Cole is a lot of fun.”
“Good, I’m glad. Did anything… interesting happen?” And there it was.
“Actually, yes,” she paused, enjoying his stricken expression. “We decided that we are just going to be friends for a while.”
Connor exhaled loudly in relief. “That’s fantastic, Pumpkin!”
She gave him the evil eye.
“No, I mean it’s good that you are taking things slowly. You barely know this boy. No reason to go jumping right into a relationship. It’s good you’re being careful.”
“Right, Dad. You’re just relieved there weren’t any bodily interactions tonight.” She leaned down and kissed her dad’s cheek. “Night, Daddy!”
“Goodnight, Sweet Pea.”
Bri walked off to her room.
“Oh, and Dad?” she turned. “Cole’s last name is Marra.”
“Well, I’m glad you covered that important piece of information. Anytime you want to bring you new friend by to meet your dear, old dad, you just let me know. I got the shotgun all cleaned and ready to go while you were gone!”
Bri shook her head and headed into her room. Different versions of how the night could’ve ended between her and Cole swam through her head as she fell asleep.
Monday morning dawned bright and warm. Bri waited until Summer left to take the boys to the zoo, before hopping in her car and heading down to Venice Beach.
Cole was busy drawing, and didn’t notice her approach.
“Hey there!”
He looked up and smiled as he quickly shut his sketch pad.
“Hi! I was wondering if you’d show up,” he teased.
“I brought you something,” Bri held up the two cups in her hand. “I didn’t know what flavors you liked, so I got two and you can pick.”
“You brought me a present! Someone’s been thinking about me!”
“If by “thinking about you” you mean that I was thinking it was hot today, and you might like something to cool you down, then yes.” She held out the two Slurpee’s. “Take your pick, Mountain Dew or Orange Fanta?”
Cole grabbed the Dew Slurpee. “Thanks Ambria! Seriously, this was a really nice surprise.”
“What, your other friends don’t stop by to visit and bring you treats while you work?”
“No, my friends never come down here. They prefer Newport or Hunting Beach. I’m on my own out here.”
“Really? That kind of sucks.”
“It’s not a big deal,” he brushed it off. “Besides, I usually have a steady stream of potential customers to keep me company,” he smiled wolfishly.
“And those potential customers wouldn’t happen to be bikini clad girls vying for your attention, would they?” Bri raised her eyebrow.
“What can I say? Business is good!”
She gave him an indignant slap on the arm, making him laugh.