SUNSHINE - COLE WALTER

018.

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"You okay?" Cole asked her with a concerned look on his face as he made his way towards Jamie.

"Sure. Just a lot to do. Jackie wants this wedding to be absolutely perfect," Jamie confessed, her voice laced with a tinge of exhaustion. She looked up at Cole, hoping for some reassurance.

"It will be. Trust me," Cole assured her, his eyes locked onto hers. There was a subtle tension in the air, an unspoken closeness that both of them were grappling with.

"Anyway," Cole finally broke the moment, his voice tinged with a hint of disappointment. He had wanted to say more, to let Jamie in on the whirlwind of emotions he was feeling, but now was not the time.

"Are you getting ready for the road trip?" Jamie asked, trying to shift the focus away from the intensity that had just passed between them. She watched as Cole walked past, his back turned towards her.

"Actually, I'm taking this to Mr. C," Cole replied, holding up an essay he had been diligently working on. Jamie couldn't help but smile at his dedication.

"You did the essay?" she asked, genuinely surprised.

"I figured maybe I should try to pass the class. It's a good book, so..." Cole's voice trailed off as he found it difficult to tear his gaze away from Jamie. She looked radiant as the winter sunlight kissed her cheeks, making it impossible for Cole to look elsewhere.

"Okay, well, I should..." Jamie hesitated, her heart racing from the brief moment of connection they had just shared.

"Yeah, I'll see you later, Sunshine," Cole interjected, giving Jamie a playful nickname that always brought a smile to her face. He turned away and began walking, leaving Jamie unable to contain the happiness that had overwhelmed her.

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Jackie was frantically pacing back and forth outside, her voice filled with panic as she spoke on the phone. From the side, Cole leaned in close to Jamie, his lips barely brushing against her ear as he whispered, "What's going on?"

Jamie turned towards him, their faces inches apart, causing a noticeable blush to creep up on her cheeks. "Albert ate Hayley's wedding bouquet," she confessed, her voice filled with a mixture of amusement and concern.

Cole's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Seriously?" he asked, struggling to stifle a laugh.

Meanwhile, Lee, who had been observing the chaos unfolding, couldn't help but interject. "Does she really need a bouquet?" he questioned, clearly perplexed by the urgency of the situation.

Jackie shot Lee a reproachful look. "For a wedding? Yes, Lee, she really needs a bouquet. What am I gonna do?" she exclaimed, frustration evident in her voice.

Offering a solution, Cole stepped forward. "I can get some flowers for you," he offered, his voice laced with determination.

Jackie turned her attention towards Cole, skepticism evident on her face. "From where? What kind of flowers? You know there's a theme, right?" she asked, her eyes narrowing with doubt.

Cole shot her a determined look. "Yes, I'm not an idiot. But if you don't trust me, come with me," he suggested, causing Jamie's eyes to snap over to him, intrigued by his sudden confidence.

Curiosity piqued, Jackie pondered his offer for a moment. "How long is it gonna take?" she inquired, wanting to consider all her options.

"Thirty minutes, tops. I mean, fine, if you have a better idea," Cole replied confidently, his eagerness palpable.

After a thoughtful pause, Jackie proposed an alternative. "Actually, I do. Jamie can go with you. I trust Jamie more than you," she proclaimed, surprising both Jamie and Cole with her sudden decision.

Jamie's eyes widened in surprise as she processed Jackie's words. "Seriously?" she questioned, her voice tinged with disbelief.

Jackie pleaded with Jamie, her voice filled with sincerity. "Please. I've got so much to do, and I trust you. You've got the best taste I know," she begged.

Realizing the urgency of the situation and the trust that Jackie had placed in her, Jamie relented. "Fine, but only 'cause you flatter me," she agreed, a smile spreading across her face as she followed Cole out the door, ready to tackle the task at hand.

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Jamie and Cole dismounted from their horses, their exhilarating ride leaving them slightly breathless. Jamie's curiosity got the best of her as she turned to Cole. "So, um, how's the wedding speech coming?" she asked, a hint of nervousness in her voice.

Cole rubbed the back of his neck, a slight frown forming on his face. "Working on it. I don't know why Will picked me, though. Danny or Alex probably would've been better," he admitted, his self-doubt creeping in.

Jamie looked at him earnestly, her eyes full of reassurance. "He chose you because he wanted to hear from you. Just speak from the heart, tell the truth, and you really can't go wrong," she advised, her voice filled with unwavering confidence in him.

As they walked further, their destination revealed itself—a vast field adorned with a breathtaking display of colorful flowers. Jamie's eyes widened in awe. "Ah! Cole, these are perfect," she exclaimed, her face lighting up with excitement.

Cole couldn't help but feel a sense of pride. "Yeah, they're... they're my mom's favorite," he mentioned, his voice filled with a mix of fondness and melancholy. He held out his hand, silently requesting the bag from Jamie.

"Thank you," Jamie replied with gratitude, handing him the bag. They began picking the flowers, the task bringing them closer together, both literally and emotionally.

Conversation flowed effortlessly between them. "So, it looks like I'm gonna be around for the summer after all," Cole shared, his tone hinting at a mix of relief and resignation.

"You are?" Jamie asked, a glimmer of excitement in her eyes.

"Summer school," Cole explained, his voice tinged with a hint of self-deprecation.

"Cole! That's fantastic. I knew it. I knew you would figure things out," Jamie exclaimed, her smile widening at his newfound opportunity.

Cole couldn't help but tease her gently. "Okay, Sunshine, don't get so excited. It's just summer school," he warned, looking up to see Jamie beaming at him, "Okay, let's get back to work, all right? We don't have all day."

As they gathered the flowers, passing them back and forth, their hands brushed against each other, causing a surge of electricity to shoot through Jamie. It was a tender and fleeting moment that left her breathless.

"Hey, look, about the other night when the truck broke down," Cole began, his tone slightly hesitant.

Jamie's heart sank for a moment, fearing what he might say. "Are you gonna say it was a mistake? Because if you are, I'd rather you didn't and we just ignore it," she admitted, her voice tinged with sadness.

Cole's expression softened as he searched her eyes for a moment. "I wasn't gonna say that, actually," he confessed, his words filled with a mix of honesty and vulnerability. "Do you regret what you said?" he asked, his gaze unwavering.

The corners of Jamie's lips curled into a gentle smile. "No," she answered, her voice filled with warmth, grateful that he didn't want to dismiss their connection.

For a moment, they simply stared at each other, the unspoken tension between them building. But duty called, disrupting the moment. They both reluctantly focused on their task, their hearts a little lighter, knowing that beneath the surface, something irreplaceable was growing between them.

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