The Right Side of My Pillow, стр. 21

Fresh from the shower and dressed simply in a fitted white t-shirt and black yoga pants, she walked barefoot down the long hallway to the kitchen. After living here for a couple of weeks, Jade was still in awe that Cole actually owned a house like this. Wrinkling her nose, she thought to herself that this place was way too big for one person. Personally she would have preferred a much smaller place where you could always know exactly what was going on in every room.

Jade made her way to the kitchen, while pulling her damp hair off of her neck and into a ponytail. When she arrived at the threshold of the kitchen, she stood with her hands on her hips gazing at it like a love sick fool. Even though Jade thought this house was too big, the kitchen was a modern day miracle, and there was nothing here she would change. It was, in fact, her dream kitchen. Jade would have died to have Sub-Zero, stainless steel, restaurant-like quality appliances installed. The granite counter-tops looked as if they had chips of copper within them and the Aspen white, custom cabinets were designed by a master carpenter whose hands had been kissed by the gods. The man even had a stone fireplace in here, not to mention every gadget known to man, and probably some that weren’t. This part of the house was perfect for a family, where everyone could gather around eating and talking about their day. Sadly, she thought she would probably never have one of her own. No, she wasn’t going to start feeling sorry for herself. It was just a shame that Cole never really used this kitchen! His housekeeper stocked his refrigerator and cooked a couple of times a week. Otherwise, that man lived on takeout food.

Thinking of Cole, he’d been such a mother hen since she’d arrived at his home. Being truthful, it was nice to feel cared for and looked after by another human being. As sweet and thoughtful as he’d been, Jade still hadn’t quite forgiven him. She was a mixed bag at best. Angry, yet wanting the closeness they once shared. Her moods had to be driving him crazy. They were even giving her whiplash, but he was like a dog with a bone trying to wear her down with his sweetness. It had been working up until last night when she had to see Elise and her dirty looks. She guessed most men would probably want someone like her; beautiful, cultured, and rich. Too bad being a good person and having a warm heart seemed to never be on the list of qualities when men were looking for a partner in life.

Cole had called earlier today to say he wasn’t coming home until tomorrow. If she were honest, Jade was a little disappointed even after launching Operation Crush the Crush. But it was better than waking up to Elise in the morning. It was a small miracle that Elise hadn’t stayed over since she’d moved in. Even though Cole hadn’t said why he wasn’t coming home tonight, more than likely, he was probably hanging out with her.

Jade rolled her neck and shoulders as she walked over to the cabinet to pull out a package of microwave popcorn. The thought of him spending the night with Elise was unnerving, and she did her best to shake it off. It was ridiculous that it even bothered her.

Staying with Cole is only temporary. Jade repeated it over and over to herself like a mantra. The moment she had enough money saved for first and last month’s rent, she was going to get her own place. Especially since controlling how her heart would speed up when his name popped up on her cell phone, or when he was around, had been more challenging than it should have been.

Anxiously, Jade bit her bottom lip as she put the popcorn in the microwave. Her life had indeed been turned upside down recently, but the most surprising part wasn’t all the changes. The surprise had been how easy it was to release the anger she’d held on to for years after spending time with Cole. Granted she ran for the exits more often than not, but still just being around him had soothed some of her pain and an emptiness in her soul. It honestly freaked her out more than anything. She needed her anger to keep her feelings from spiraling out of control. She knew it was stupid to still have butterflies in her stomach for a man she didn’t really know. At least, not since she was sixteen. So much had happened over that time. And while Jade had been able to keep her attraction to Cole under wraps, she knew women had a particular radar to detect that kind of thing. Jade was sure Elise probably had as well. Despite her feelings for Cole, Jade had her pride and respected boundaries. Even though she couldn’t stand Elise, she was Cole’s girlfriend. He had never really been the type to cheat, or at least, he wasn’t when they were younger. He dated lots of girls back then, but when he had a girlfriend, it was always one at a time.

Sighing loudly, she wondered why she had never been able to manage her head and heart when it came to him. He’d hurt her and abandoned her. Jade should hate him forever, but she didn’t. Nevertheless, Cole no longer held that space on her pedestal. He had fallen far from grace and was no longer her very own knight in shining armor, or the standard by which she measured other men. Jade learned pretty quickly that a knight in shining armor was only a mythical creature.

All in all, they seemed to co-exist easily enough except for when he was hovering over her like she was a child. Considering everything that had transpired between them, co-existing with Cole hadn’t been as difficult as she’d initially