“How’s your hand?” I ask Cole.

“It’s okay.”

“Really?” I lift my head off Cole’s chest to incredulously eyeball him. We got back from the airport a few hours ago and had immediately gone upstairs and into bed.

“It kind of hurts, but every time I feel the pain it reminds me of how fucking good it felt to finally hit that asshole.”

“I enjoyed seeing it,” I tell Cole and rest my head back on his chest, listening to his heart beating. “It’s finally over.”

“There’s no way he’s getting out early for good behavior now,” Cole reassures me and runs his fingertips over my shoulders. “Have you told your mom?”

“No. She doesn’t even know he was in New York. I think telling my mom that Steven attacked both of us should be said face-to-face. Right?”

“Probably. She’ll be able to see you and know you’re all right. But I wouldn’t wait too long.”

“Right.”

Cole rolls over, spooning his body around mine. “Are we okay, Ana?”

His lips land on the back of my neck. I close my eyes and consider everything that’s happened. “We will be.”

He holds me tight and kisses my neck again. “I love you, Ana.”

“I love you, too.”

* * *

“Ana,” Cole says with a smile. He stands from his desk and comes around, meeting me by his office door. He puts his arms around me and gives me a kiss on the lips, not caring who sees. I’m his girlfriend and I brought him lunch at work. That’s worthy of a kiss. I told Cole I understood his reasoning for downplaying our relationship, and that in itself wasn’t what upset me, but being kept in the dark.

I was all for keeping things secret until Caitlin Black made her decision, but Cole wouldn’t have it and said if it’s a deal breaker, then he doesn’t want to be a publisher anyway. I’m more important to him, and he wants to make sure I know that.

“Hey, babe,” I say and come in. “Is Lexi here today? I got an extra cupcake for her.”

“She is, but she’s having lunch with an author. I can put it on her desk if she’s not back before you head out. Are you going to the coffee house today?”

“Yeah, after this. I think I can get the last chapter written on this book.”

“You’re the best author I’ve worked with for many reasons. Having your book done early might be the best one.”

“Better than the fact I’m also the only author you’re sleeping with?”

“It’s a close contender. You know how much I like punctuality.”

I laugh and pull up a chair to Cole’s desk. “And you know how much I like to come early.” I bite my lip and smile.

“God, you’re hot.”

Someone knocks on Cole’s door and he waves Jillian in.

“Hi, Scarlett,” she says and comes over to the desk, handing Cole a paper to sign. “You rocked that Wonder Woman costume Saturday night. I would kill for your legs.”

“Thanks. I was a little worried about wearing a skirt that short, to be honest.”

“You have nothing to worry about.”

“That’s what I told her,” Cole says with a shake of his head. “You looked good.”

Jillian takes her papers back from Cole. “Any chance you want to call and yell at an author for me later?”

“Fairchild?” Cole asks with an eyebrow raised. “Again?”

Jillian sighs. “I would love to get him for breach of contract and cut ties. That last book was not good. I think I rewrote half of it.” She rolls her eyes. “You know, I’m willing to trade. Scarlett for Fairchild.”

Cole looks at me and slowly shakes his head. “Not a fair deal. Scarlett is easy to work with and has her books done months ahead of time.”

“I’ll edit anything else Gregory Lawrence writes.”

“Deal.”

We all laugh, and Jillian says goodbye and goes back to her office. Cole and I talk as we eat. He has a meeting at one-thirty, and the time goes by quickly.

“I’ll bring home dinner,” Cole offers, walking with me to the door of his office. “So you don’t have to cook.”

“That’s fine with me. I need a day or two to go Pinterest crazy and find some good recipes.”

Cole wraps his arms around me and plants a kiss on my lips. I think he’s hoping someone will ask about us, or at least make it obvious they witness the kiss. I have to give him credit for trying. He feels bad, and I hate that he’s beating himself up over this, even more so than before.

We all make bad choices. Hell, I’ve made more than my fair share, and I’m sure I’ll do something stupid again probably sooner rather than later. Cole covered up the truth thinking it would spare my feelings, that he could draw out the high I was riding and keep me happy. He didn’t lie to trick or manipulate me.

Still, it’s not something I can forget overnight. Which is why we decided it’s best to not officially move in together until my lease is actually up at the end of the year. I’m staying in the city for another week, and then am going back to Kentucky to manage my own shit. Cole is flying out Thanksgiving week and is spending the holiday with my family and me.

And then, assuming things are still going well—we’re taking things day by day—I’ll be here with Cole and his family for Christmas. My lease on my apartment is up at the end of this year—which isn’t far away, and Cole and I will reevaluate where we’re at then, though I already know things will be okay.

Because I love Cole. And he loves me.

“Love you,” Cole says and gives me one more kiss.

“Love you, too. See you later.”

I leave after another kiss, and spot Lexi in her office. She catches my eye and waves.

“I have a cupcake for you in Cole’s office,” I tell her. “With blue frosting, since you’re having a boy. I realize now how lame that was.”

“It’s thoughtful. Thank you. I’ve had the worst sweet tooth this whole pregnancy.”

I go inside her office, which is hardly anything more than a cubicle with a door.

“Is everything okay?” she asks softly. She and Luke are the only ones who know the truth about what happened Saturday night. Only a few people associated with Black Ink witnessed what happened, and were lead to believe Cole was dealing with someone who drank too much at the party. Luke came outside to find Cole and make sure things were okay and saw us talking to the police.

“I think so.”

“And you and Cole are…”

“Still together. We’re taking a little step back, which I think will work out in the long run.”

“I think so too. And I hope so. I’ve known Cole a while, and if I had to pick out his biggest flaw, it would be that he cares too much, as cliché as that sounds. When it comes to protecting the people he cares about, nothing is off limits.”

“I’m realizing that now.”

“He’s a good person, even though he can’t see it. Did he tell you about, uh, the drama between him and Luke?”

“Yeah, he did. And he still feels bad about it.”

Lexi shakes her head. “I know. I wish he’d let it go. Luke and I both have. Anyway, even when he thought Luke caused his fiancée to call off the wedding, Cole still welcomed Luke here in New York when he needed to get away. Cole pretty much hated his brother, but he still opened the house for him.” Lexi lets out a breath. “That cupcake is on my mind and I’m not sure if I’m getting my point across so I’ll just say it. Cole will do anything for someone he loves. He’s a good person with a big heart, and sometimes I think he just needs a little reminder that you aren’t going to leave him.”

I turn, watching Cole walk through the office to greet the author he’s meeting. My heart flutters, and I look back at Lexi. “I don’t think that’s going to be an issue.”

Lexi smiles. “Good. Because we all really like you. Grace and Paige are pretty possessive of their Uncle Cole, and even they are hoping to see you around again.”

“Well, I can’t disappoint them now, can I? Mrs. Winchester—Cole’s mom, I mean. You’re Mrs. Winchester too—texted me this morning about a family dinner Friday. So, I’ll see you all then. And Cole mentioned something about coming over Thursday to see the girls in their Halloween costumes too.”

“Only if you guys want to. I know it’s a bit of a drive. Though Harper looks so fucking cute as Snow White. It is worth seeing.” She shrugs. “I guess I might be biased.”

“I’m sure she’s adorable.”

“Be prepared for Mrs. Winchester to try to get you to go to Disney this summer too.” Lexi puts her hand on her stomach, lovingly rubbing her small bump. “Little Aiden here will only be a few months old and she wants us to go.”

“You guys are going with Aiden?”

“Aiden Matthew Winchester. We agreed on it last night. You pretty much named our baby. Thanks.”

“I can’t wait to meet him.”

“Me neither.” Lexi’s phone rings and she says a quick goodbye and then answers the phone. I readjust the strap of my laptop bag on my shoulder and get into an elevator, going down to the main lobby and then out onto the busy Manhattan street.

Cole and I are taking things day by day, but for the first time in a long time, I’m excited about the future.