Complete Me (Book Three of The Kirkland Family)

Complete Me: Chapter 31

Chapter 31

Rose curled up in her reading chair, staring down at the pages of another Mr. Shaw journal. The same two pages she'd been reading for the last twenty minutes, and this one journal was merely full of new words Mr. Shaw made himself learn. It was almost like reading a dictionary. With an annoyed sigh, she tossed the book aside and peeked down at the kittens. All asleep. She glanced at the time. Nine o'clock. She picked up her water glass, drained the last swallow, and slumped down in her chair.

She hadn't talked to or seen Cole since that afternoon. After closing the shop, she taught her piano lesson while the babies shuffled for their turns to be fed. She did so while little Parker Asbell practiced his scales. By the time she dragged herself and the kittens upstairs, it was past six, and Cole had left a note on her door.

Going out with Jak. Be back later.

Going out with Jak?! Where did this sudden friendship come from?

She frowned down at the note she dropped on her coffee table. If Jak was pressuring Cole like he tried to urge her... Did guys do that? Play matchmaker with each other? She couldn't picture her brother and Cole, sitting around, sharing a bottle of wine and discussing their girlfriends.

She picked up her book again just as she heard footsteps on the stairwell. Staring at the door, she waited. The footsteps paused, shuffled around, and she heard a set of keys jingle. A door opened, and the footsteps disappeared into Cole's apartment. Rose wondered if he forgot about taking the kittens tonight, or if he was in such a tiff that he didn't want to take care of them. But his door didn't close. A minute later, she heard him outside her own apartment.

He knocked. "Rose?"

She walked over, drew in a deep breath and opened to him. Her breath stuck in her throat, already dreading the disappointment in his eyes, but she nearly cried with relief when she saw his familiar, warm smile. The same smile he'd gifted her everyday of their acquaintanceship. Well, everyday except today.

"Hey, beautiful," he said. "Sorry I'm late."

"It's not that late," she said, twisting the door handle.

He smiled wider and leaned closer to her. "Got our babies ready to go?"

"Yes. Would you like to come in?"

"I'd love to," he said and brushed by her. She caught a whiff of his cologne and squeezed the handle harder to keep herself from throwing her arms around him.

"Did you have fun with Jak?"

"More than I expected," he answered. "Your brother is a fun guy, when he loosens up a bit."

"I didn't know that was possible."

Cole sat down on the floor to pet the kittens with the back of his knuckle. "He wants me to marry you."

Rose stumbled over the corner of her area rug, and fell against Cole's back.

"Whoa, there. Are you okay?" he asked, turning to grasp her arms.

She stared at him, hands braced on his shoulder. "He said...what?"

Cole chuckled. "Surprised the hell out of me, too."

Rose dropped to her knees next to him. "What...what did you say?"

He awarded her another charming smile. "Why? Did you want to propose first?"

"Cole...I...uh...no..." She flapped her mouth a moment more, but eventually closed it, not knowing what to say. His smile faded slightly as a hint of heartbreak flickered in his gaze.