Page 64 of Cole

She nodded. “I get that.”

“And besides, he’s not the sort of guy who is short on female attention. I’m not exactly a pinup girl for bikers.”

Lily shrugged. “I’m not a pinup girl for hockey players, but that doesn’t stop Cayden from wanting me.”

I waved a hand. “That’s different. He’s a psycho stalker, obsessed person.”

She just laughed.

“I mean, Cole is intense, and busy and important, I guess. In his world, everyone is relying on him. He’s not free to just see what happens with some college student.”

“Ok, he said this to you?”

I shook my head. “Not exactly, but I can guess.”

Lily pulled a face. “That seems dangerous. It’s a recipe for misunderstanding someone.” She laughed after a moment. “I mean, I’m kind of relieved that you just like-like him. For a second, I thought you were cozying up to him to get some dirt on the MC.”

I blinked at her, and her mouth dropped open.

“You’re kidding. You were snooping for info?”

My face gave me away.

Lily narrowed her eyes. “Tell me…”

I wet my lips, suddenly feeling like my mouth was a desert. “Well, you know I need a big story, something shocking and exciting. Something that would guarantee the front page?”

Lily frowned. “I don’t think I like where this is going.”

I nodded. “Yeah, it sucks. I met Cole because I was trying to get dirt on the Harbor Hounds. I thought maybe they were involved in illegal shit.” There didn’t seem to be much of a point in explaining about Rosie and Finn. No matter what, I’d dropped any idea of interfering, anyway.

Lily tapped her lip, considering. “You’re not wrong. I’m pretty sure they are, though I don’t know what exactly. So, how did you go from being undercover to sleeping with the president?”

“Because I fucking suck at journalism? Emmit is right. I can’t hack it.” I dropped my head onto my arm and resisted the urge to bang it against the table. “I’m not proud of it. It was a low point, and then I went and charged across the line and hooked up with him. Maybe Emmit is right, I’m not a serious person. I should just marry Grant Elwick and play couples golf with my parents,” I said glumly.

Lily shook her head. “Well, that took a dramatic turn. No one is saying to do any of that. I just wouldn’t let Cole know that’s why you were interested in him.”

“Thanks for the advice—anything else blindingly obvious you’d like to tell me?” I gave her a saccharine smile, and she shook her head.

“Oh, maybe one thing.” Lily was looking over my shoulder as she spoke. “You might think it was just a casual hookup, but that man hasn’t stopped looking over here since he sat down.”

“What? No way.”

“Way. In fact, I think he’s coming over.”

I bolted upright and stepped out of the booth.

“Where are you going?” Lily demanded.

“Bathroom!”

I practically raced there. I got in, thankfully found I was alone, and stared at myself in the mirror. What was wrong with me?

“Get a grip, Isabelle,” I told myself sternly. My face looked red in the mirror, and I felt like my pulse was pounding way too fast. This was the danger of being overprotected and sheltered your whole life. You ended up a college junior who couldn’t stop blushing when a man looked at her. Not just any man, to be fair—Cole Bailey was an exceptionally hot man, but still. I had to get some chill from somewhere because this was embarrassing.

The door opened, and a familiar figure with blunt bangs entered.

Kiki.