A ball of nerves twists in my stomach. I grip Cole’s hand, then release it, taking a slight step away from him. We’re outside number thirty-seven, and I dread going inside.

Cole raises his eyebrows. “No point jumping away now. Lena knows why we’re here.”

We’re standing outside of Lena’s front door. I stamp my feet on the bristly welcome mat, vying for more time before we ring the bell. I’m wearing an out-of-season thin floral tea dress, and Cole is dressed up in a smart white shirt and khaki-colored pants. He’s holding a bunch of flowers for Lena in one hand, and a six-pack of beers for James. Both were my idea. He has a lot of work to do to convince Lena.

“I know, but still, I hate that she disapproves.”

“How do you think I feel? I’m the villain of this story.”

I take his hand again, threading my fingers through his. “I never said that.”

Cole takes a deep breath and straightens his back. “Either way, I’m hoping that tonight I can win Lena over. It’s been ten years, and we’re both different people now. The things that were said and done before belong in the past.”

“Hmm. I admire your optimism.”

He nudges me playfully with his hip. “Don’t make me more nervous than I already am. I remember your sister. She’s terrifying.”

“She was on our side when we got married. My parents were furious, but Lena supported us. She thought it was crazy, but kind of romantic.”

“And it was.”

I smile up at him. It’s unusual for Cole to look nervous, but he does tonight. Lena can be fierce when fighting for my corner, and a decade ago, Cole was her most targeted opponent.

“Better knock before we both get cold feet.”

I lift my fist and rap on the wood three times. “You ready?” I ask Cole, giving his hand a squeeze.

“As ready as I’ll ever be.”

Through the window, I see James’ blurry silhouette growing close, and then the door opens inwards. “Evening, guys!” Good old James. He doesn’t judge. He smiles and steps back to let us in, reaching to shake Cole’s hand once we’ve crossed into the hall. “Cole, right? I’m James. It’s good to meet you. I’ve heard a lot about you.”

Cole raises his eyebrows. “Hopefully nothing too bad.”

James chuckles. “When Lena doesn’t like someone, they don’t make it into the house.”

I laugh. “It’s true. Hi, James.” I step forward and lift myself on my tiptoes to give my brother-in-law a quick hug. “Where is Lena, anyway?”

“Out in the kitchen trying to make a chicken casserole.”

I make a face. “Oh, wow. Can’t say I remember the last time Lena cooked.” I turn to Cole. “She’s definitely a take-out girl.”

“Or restaurants,” James adds. “If I’m not cooking, it’s Chinese or a trip out. They know us by name all around town.” He pats his stomach. “Not good for the waistline.”

“I suppose you can get away with it when you’ve got a personal trainer.” I chuckle, referring to Lena and her fitness instructor, Chad.

James makes a face. “Freaking Chad. Can’t get a word in edgewise without his Fitbit bleeping. He must have some shark in him—if he stops moving, he dies.” He beckons us to follow him into the living room. “Can I get you guys a drink?”

“Got any rosé?”

“You’ll have to check with the boss.”

I grin. “I’ll go find her. You boys sit. I’ll bring out a couple of beers.”

In James’ friendly company, Cole looks a little more at ease. I leave them to get to know each other while I track down Lena in the kitchen.

When I find her, she’s kneeling down in front of the oven in a pair of expensive-looking black parachute pants with a silk tie at the waist and a smart wraparound pink blouse with a colorful elephant design. The oven light is off, and Lena’s banging her palm against the glass of the door. “Fucking thing. Raw goddamn chicken.”

“Can I help?”

Lena looks up and nods. She beckons me over, standing up and brushing off her knees. She gestures furiously to the oven. “Can you figure it out? It won’t start.”

I laugh. “Are you serious, Lena? It hasn’t been that long since you’ve cooked.”

“I’m more of a microwave girl.”

“You have the stovetop instead of the main oven on. There’s your problem.”

Lena leans against the counter and takes a swig from a glass of wine. She brushes her bangs back out of her flushed face. “Well, I hope you guys aren’t starving, because it’s going to be a while now.”

“Not starving so much as worried about winning you over.”

She raises her eyebrows. “I’m not that much of a tyrant.”

“I know you don’t think much of Cole, but I really appreciate the invite tonight. He’s really changed—you’ll see.”

“When you first said you’d run into each other, I wasn’t sure what to think. Knowing Cole, I expected him to stick around for a one-night-stand, then take off. Two weeks later, and he’s still in the picture, and you’re all loved-up. Makes me think that maybe it’s not going to just blow over, and whether I like him or not, I need to suck it up and get on with it.”

“Honestly, give him a chance, and you won’t feel like you’ve got to ‘suck it up.’ You’ll see how much he’s grown up.”

“For your sake, Soph, I hope so. Otherwise, you’re setting yourself up for another heartbreak.” She swigs down the last of her wine and lifts the bottle to refill it. “Rosé?”

“Absolutely.”

Lena pours me a separate glass and hands it to me. I grab a couple of cold ones out of the fridge before we head back into the living room, where the men are deep in conversation about football.

James and Cole are sitting side by side on the sofa, which leaves the two armchairs for Lena and me. I feel like I’m a long distance away from Cole. Lena is staring daggers at him. His and James’ conversation dries up, and Cole leans back into the sofa like he’s trying to get away from Lena’s intense glare.

“Long time, no see, Cole.”

“It’s been a while,” Cole agrees.

“Cole bought you some flowers,” I offer.

James picks up the bunch from the coffee table to show her. “Aren’t they lovely, sweetheart?”

“Lovely.” Lena’s voice is dry and unimpressed. She smiles and sits back like she’s relaxed, but you could cut the tension in the room with a knife.

“Some music, maybe?” James suggests. He picks up the remote and tunes the TV into some radio station, playing chart hits. “That’s better.”

Lena crosses one leg over the other and leans forward. Her eyes are fixed wholly on Cole. “So, Sophie tells me that you’re a wedding photographer now?”

Cole clears his throat and nods, setting his half-empty bottle down on the table.

“—Coaster?”

“Oh, sorry.”

“You were saying?”

“Yes. That’s right. Wedding photography.”

“Quite a change in direction for you.”

“It is. Unfortunately, I was injured on a shoot in Haiti, and it took me out of the game just long enough to make it a bitch to get back into.”

James' eyebrows shoot up, and he twists on his seat with interest. “Haiti?”

“You know that Cole was a photojournalist. It took him all around the world.”

“Yes,” Lena says. “Even when he was newly married.”

I shoot Lena an annoyed glance. “You promised.”

“I’m sorry. Go on, Cole.”

“A building collapsed. I broke my arm pretty badly, among other things.”

“Must have been tough,” James sympathizes.

“It was, but you know what they say.” He glances at me with a smile. “Everything happens for a reason.”

I see Lena rolling her eyes. It reminds me of childhood, the way she used to pretend to puke behind our parents’ backs when they kissed.

James is less cynical. He smiles. “Sophie seems happy.”

“I am happy.”

“Where are you living now, Cole?” Lena asks.

“Midtown.”

“Uh-huh.” Lena’s tone of voice is disapproving, although there’s no reason for it to be. I get the feeling that no matter what Cole says, Lena will let him know she’s not impressed.

“Anywhere near the college? One of the colleges that Sophie was going to look at was in Midtown.”

“Lena!” I scold. “Stop it.”

“Stop what?”

“You know what you’re doing. Come on—please.”

Cole holds up his hand to stop my protests and leans forward with his elbows on his knees to hold Lena’s gaze. “I know why you have a problem with me, Lena, and I don’t blame you. As a young man, I was selfish—but I was young. My priorities are different now. Sophie is first on my list.”

Lena bristles, but her expression softens slightly. “I really hope so. I don’t think you understand the damage you did the last time.”

Cole reaches across the distance between us to take my hand. I can see the regret and guilt in his eyes. It’s sincere. “You’re right, but I promise I’ll never do that to her again. I know how lucky I am to have a second chance.”

When dinner is ready, I go out to the kitchen to help Lena serve. “So? What do you think? He’s changed, right?”

Lena lets out a long breath and lifts up her hands helplessly. “What can I say, Sophie? Cole’s saying all the right things, but actions speak louder than words. Only time will tell whether he’s really changed. It’s one thing to spit out mushy promises and speeches, and completely another to follow through.”

I lay my palm on her forearm and meet her eyes. “I know it’s hard to trust him again, but I do. I believe that enough has changed for this to really work this time.”

“And I trust you, Sophie. I’ll try to cut out the hard-ass big sister act. For you.”

“Thanks. I love you.”

She offers a small smile. “I love you, too.”

* * *

Cole enters my apartment and flops down onto the sofa. He lets out a long breath. “Jesus, that was an ordeal.”

I laugh and straddle him, wrapping my arms around his neck. “Thank you for coming. I know it wasn’t the easiest thing in the world.”

“Lena hates me.”

“She doesn’t hate you. She’s protective of me. There’s a difference.”

“I don’t know that I’m ever going to be able to make her like me.”

“It’s easy. There’s only one thing you’ve got to do.”

“What’s that?”

“Carry on making me happy.”

He grins. “It’s as easy as that?”

“It’s that simple.”

I slide my arms around Cole’s neck and look up at him with adoration. Even though the night didn’t go as well as I had hoped, I knew it would work out eventually. And if it didn’t, I was happy with him.

“How would you like a hot bath?”

“Oooo. You sure know how to treat a lady. Wine her, dine her, and bathe her. How could I say no?” I smile up at him, my head unsteady from the wine.

“It’s all a ploy to take advantage of you.”

“Is it? Don’t tell me you’re a player.”

“Oh, yes. Very much so.” He grabs my ass and jerks me into him. “Although for you, I’m a one-woman man.”

“Mmmm.” I feel him harden against my pubic bone and a familiar tingle returns between my legs. “Take me, baby.” I fall into his arms and feel him pick me up to carry me into the bedroom. He lays me on the bed and peels my dress up over my head. He trails kisses across my stomach as I close my eyes and settle into the mattress, enjoying his touch. I vaguely hear the sound of water fill the bathtub before my thoughts and desires are stolen from me, and I drift off to sleep.

I awaken to the sound of the shower, and I look around my room. A blanket covers my body, and I’m still in my bra and underwear. I push the blanket off and walk to the bathroom, steam gathering up close to the ceiling. I can see the outline of Cole’s body through the curtain as he glides his hands over his chest, the water falling on him. The sight makes me hungry for him, and I walk closer, removing my bra and underwear.

I peek at him, his back to me. I can’t help but admire the contours of his body, his muscles and the way they flex when he moves. His ass is perfect, and when he turns around, the sight of his manhood instantaneously makes my body respond.

He jumps when he sees me, slipping in the tub but recovering before he falls. “What the hell?”

I stifle a chuckle, covering my mouth. “I’m sorry. I was going to say something, but watching you was irresistible.”

“How long have you been standing there?”

“Long enough to see something I want.”

“Join me. Maybe we can get that for you.” His tone drips with seduction. I step into the shower, cozying myself into the warm water cascading over his body.

He scoops up the soap and slides it up my back, the soap lathering along my skin. I feel his hard body against mine, the warm water penetrating my skin, his hands covering me, his member growing harder. He turns me around, his hands gliding up over my breasts. He kisses my neck and pushes me forward.

I lean away from him, supporting myself with my hands on the wall as he lathers my skin. He presses himself against my butt, rubbing up and down, caressing every inch until I tingle from my knees to my nipples. He slides inside me, holding his body there while he cleanses my shoulders, my arms, my breasts. His hands grab my shoulders, and he thrusts into me, jarring me forward repeatedly. I feel his hands on my hips as he fucks me harder, our bodies slapping together in the water. As he grips me harder and slams into me faster, the soap slippery between us, his orgasm beckons.

“Sophie.” He grunts.

I try to respond, but he has me breathless, my body begging to be fucked harder.

“Sophie.” He grunts louder. “I’m gonna—I’m gonna cum!” He leans forward, wrapping his arms around my waist. He pulls me into him hard, a loud throaty growl escaping him. His body slams into me, and he holds me there, his body jerking before letting me go.

He leans forward, gripping the wall as his body comes down from his high. I try to control my hunger, but my body still craves him. He notices.

“Come here, gorgeous.” He pulls me to him, kissing me deep and extinguishing any doubt that he wasn’t going to satisfy me. “Your turn,” he growls, pushing me against the wall. The water cascades over his head when he kneels in front of me, pushing my leg up the side of the tub. I take in a shaky breath, my foot finding a hold on the side as his fingers begin to explore me.

He kisses my inner thigh while his thumb circles my clitoris. A wave of pleasure threatens but quickly buries itself deep again. He kisses closer, his fingers disappearing inside me. He pulls them out and kisses my lips. His tongue jets out and teases my button as he slides his fingers back in again. The threat of that wave of pleasure peeks out again and dances around my insides.

“I can’t take it anymore. Make it stop. Oh, right there. Don’t stop.”

He has my pleasure on overdrive. I look down in time to see the determination in his eyes as he looks up at me, and it’s all I can take. Like a bubble, a wave of ecstasy blows up inside me, pushes through me and spills over my body. He lets me go and stands up, wrapping his arms around me as the water loses the heat and turns cold.