The Rules In Paradise (Playing By The Rules) (36 page)

             
I sat there stunned. Nobody had ever spoken to me like I was nothing. I had never felt so belittled and so inconsequential. I was out of my league with her for sure. I knew the shock was written on my face the moment Cole stepped out of the back room and looked at me.

             
"Olivia, what's wrong?" He was by my side in a moment. I couldn't really speak. I didn't know how to explain it without sounding like a tattling little girl.

             
"What did she do?" He asked, as if I hadn't heard his first question. Suddenly it all hit me. Her little bedroom jokes, the way she put her hands on him, her body against him and finally the way she spoke so ugly to me. I was furious.

             
"I swear Cole, I can't promise to keep my mouth shut. I hate everything about her. I am literally shaking that's how angry I am," I said through gritted teeth. His concerned face turned to a smile and then he leaned back laughing.

             
"It's about damn time Olivia. I have to endure your verbal abuse daily and you haven't given her an ounce. I was starting to get nervous you've lost your edge," he said with a smile on his face.

             
"You have no idea. I want to tear her hair out, and make her regret the moment she came here. Don't take this the wrong way, but even if we're not going to be together, we're going to make her think we are. Even if I didn't remotely want you, I still wouldn't let her win."

             
He smiled at me. "She has no chance of winning Olivia, I assure you. I dislike her as much as you do."

             
"She doesn't know that, and I am in the mood to destroy her soul. I need to go shopping, do you want to go?" I asked him. He gave me an amused, but strange look.

             
"Can we eat first? I'm scared to let you out into public like this. Come and eat," he said pulling me up and over to the table.

             
"Are you a glutton in every aspect of your life or just food?" I asked after seeing the ridiculous amount of food on the cart by the table. This made him laugh.

             
"I suppose only food, and probably you," he said with a smile before he popped a piece of fruit in his mouth.

             
"So, moving on to a previous subject, would you be happier if you were getting married?" He asked. Again I felt my blood drain and my heart beat harder. I must have displayed my discomfort on my face. He smiled and laughed.

             
"Don't worry, I am not proposing to you. I mean, I would if I thought there was a chance you'd say yes right now, but no. I'm just curious as to why you feel left out." I visibly relaxed.

             
"You would?"

             
"Yes. You may think me mad, but there is not one doubt in my mind that my heart belongs to you and only you. I mean it when I say that everything I do now, I do with you in mind. I think about the effect on you and how I can make things better for you. I don't deserve you, but I'm not willing to give you up."

             
I pondered that thought for a second. Marry Cole? That was terribly frightening on one hand, and on the other the idea thrilled me. "Well, anyway, I just feel like everyone is moving on. Charlotte has been married and is having a baby. Adrian will be married within the next six months and here I am, left in the middle."

             
"And what exactly is your status?" Cole said with a small smile.

             
"In love with my now fake just friend whose psycho ex-girlfriend is shamelessly stalking around the world." This made him laugh a hearty laugh.

             
"Indeed. Your life is quite complicated Olivia. Although I do believe I heard that you're in love with someone. Do I need to be worried?" His face had the hint of amusement on it. I rolled my eyes.

             
"Cole, despite what a grade-A ass you were, I never stopped loving you. That's why I'm here. I want to feel safe in loving you. That's all. There really wasn't a day that I didn't love you. I was so hurt because of it."

             
"I know, and it kills me to think about it. I want to do everything in my power to show you how sorry I am. I was truly lost without you. I hope that I can get back into your good graces."

             
I took a bite of a strawberry shortcake. "This is a great start," I said. He laughed, and it was contagious.

             
"I'm glad to see you eating, you have gotten so thin. I worry about you constantly." His face was laced with concern.
             

             
"I promise, I'm a big girl. I can take care of myself."

             
"I know, you are more than capable of doing that. I just want it to be my job, to look after you. I want to give you everything possible."

             
I shrugged. "You do already. You make me feel good every time we're together."

             
"Well good. Shall we go shopping now, or are you going to lick the last off that plate?" He asked with a smile.

             
"Smartass. It was good. I can't help it."

             
"I'm so glad. Come, let's go," he said, holding the door open for me.

        "I'm quite curious about what exactly we're shopping for," he said as we walked into a store on the shopping strip.

             
"I'll know it when I see it." I was looking through the racks, trying to find the perfect bathing suit. Vanessa was beautiful, and I couldn't deny that. I decided that she derived her power from other people. In my awe of her, she felt strong, and like she had won. If I could fake half of her confidence, she'd have to find a new tactic. I pulled one from the rack and examined it.

             
"Put it back," I heard immediately from Cole. I gave him a weird look.

             
"Why?" I asked. He held the top in between his fingers.

             
"This is little more than a few threads and a clasp."

             
"That's the point," I said slightly annoyed.

             
"So are you going to be bathing in this then?" He asked.

             
"No silly, for the beach." He made a weird face.

             
"I hate to say this because I have no right to say anything like this, but I don't want to see other men looking at you in this."

             
"I may act tough, but you have nothing to worry about," I reached up and kissed his cheek before I resumed my search for a bottom.

             
"I wish you wouldn't buy me everything," I said as we left the store.

             
"I wish you would stop complaining and just accept it," he replied. "I do however have a request." I nodded so he would continue.

             
"You need a dress for a semi formal party that will be happening tomorrow night. That is if you will agree to be my date." He spoke almost nervously.

             
"What is this party for?"

             
"I am not at liberty to say, but I am excited given the memories of last year's party." He gave me a sly smile, and I felt myself blush.

             
"Business or pleasure?" I asked.

             
"Well, about 33% of it is business on my end. The other 66% I hope to spend with you, which will be pleasurable no matter the outcome." His smile made me weak and hot in seconds.

             
"Well let's go then," I said, taking his hand as we walked down the street to the dress shop.

             
We walked around the store for awhile before I even looked at anything specific. If Cole was bored he didn't show it. He never once complained or looked moderately annoyed. He gave me his opinions on things, and we narrowed it down to two dresses.

             
"I believe I hold a bias, but you look beautiful in both. You choose." He smiled at me.

             
I decided on a short, black, chiffon dress. It flowed nicely and it felt very summery.

             
We walked out, and I was happy with what we got. We walked slowly down the street back to the car.

             
"You really can't tell me anything about tomorrow night?"

             
He shook his head. "No I cannot. You will quite enjoy it. I assure you it is a good thing."

             
"I have a question for you," I said.

             
"You've used your questions for the day," he said with a small smile.

             
"I'm going to ask it anyway." He nodded.  "What happens if this works out?"

             
"Well, that's my ultimate goal so, I'd be excited?"

             
"I mean, we're so far apart."

             
"Yes, now I understand. I don't know, what would you like?"

             
"I don't know. Everything I know is at home. I've never known any different."

             
"Would you like to?" He asked. I shrugged.

             
"I would do whatever you wanted. It doesn't bother me. I'd be happy just being with you."

             
"I was just curious."

             
We made it to back to the condo right as dark was falling. We stepped into the elevator and he pushed the button to his floor.

             
"I'm not ready to let you go," he said without looking at me. This didn't phase me, in fact it made me happier than I cared to express.

             
He unlocked his door as we both looked for signs of the crazy bitch. I relaxed when Cole gave the all clear. He locked the door and sighed as he plopped down on the couch.

             
"Come sit with me please, just for a minute." I walked over to where he was on the couch and sat next to him. He wrapped his arm around me and I leaned against him.

             
"I feel like this morning, just you and I together, was years ago. Today has been tortuously long, and being near you is the only thing I want to do." He kissed the top of my head and held me close. This felt like heaven, and I decided to give into it at least tonight.

             
"This is what I missed the most," I snuggled against him, "I missed the way you smell, the way you feel. Most importantly the way you make me feel. I could curl up and sleep, and feel completely at ease. You do that to me so easily."

             
"I'm very glad. I've missed you so much Olivia."

             
"Am I staying?" I asked.

             
"That will always be your choice."

             
"Come with me to get my stuff." I got up from the couch and walked to the door. We took the elevator and he hit the number for my floor.

             
"Let me make one thing clear", I said at the door, "tonight isn't going to be about sex. I just want to spend the night with you. And really, part of me wants her to see me come out bright and early in the morning." He smiled and put his hands up.

             
"No touching, got it." I unlocked the door and walked in, stopping after a few steps.

             
"The funniest part was that she didn't eve notice. She just started the car and drove away. We laughed about that for years as you can imagine." Charlotte and Adrian broke into fits of laughter.

             
"Well look who's here, the happy couple," Vanessa said with a sarcastic bite. I looked between Adrian, Charlotte and Vanessa in disbelief.

Chapter 29

             
I felt my blood start to boil. Here were my two best friends laughing at something the worst person in the world had said. I had held it in for as long as I could. It was bad enough to watch her try to steal the man that I loved, again. It was just as bad to watch my two friends sit around actually enjoying her company.