Page 46 of Double Booked

Why was he trying so hard to reach her, and why hadn’t he left a message that time? Since she hadn’t responded to any of his previous attempts, maybe he’d finally given up. “I hope so,” she muttered. Then she added Cole’s name and number to her contact list.

Determined to forget about Patrick, she set down the phone and made breakfast. After cleaning up, she took a long, warm shower and dressed in a cozy sweater and leggings.

Then she sat at her desk and pulled out the notepad where she’d started outlining her book idea. She reviewed her notes and added a few more. Today, she felt more clear-headed and energetic than she had since arriving here. It must be the clean, fresh air and distancing herself from Patrick. However, Cole deserved some of the credit too. His quick wit, ready smile, and positive attitude were truly rubbing off on her. Despite her initial reaction to rooming with him, she was actually enjoying his company, with or without the kissing.

His kiss. She closed her eyes and visualized it. His kiss had been the perfect combination of tenderness and desire, and it had been one of the best kisses she’d had in a long time. By the end of her relationship with Patrick, their kissing had become perfunctory at best.

Suddenly, her phone rang, and she popped her eyes open. Glancing at the name on the screen, she deflated. She glared at the phone, willing him to hang up, but by the fourth ring, she couldn’t take it anymore.

“What do you want?” she answered, her jaw clenched.

“Eden?”

“Who else would it be?”

“Last night, some guy answered your phone. Cal or—”

“Cole,” she corrected. So he’d intercepted the call.

“Who is he and why are you in Colorado with him?”

“How do you know I’m in Colorado?”

“Hope told me. I texted her when I couldn’t get hold of you.”

She stood and started pacing. “Did you ever consider I didn’t want you to contact me?”

“Eden, listen.”

“No. You listen. We broke up, and it was your doing, remember? You gave up your right to know where I am and with whom, so stop calling me.”

“Wait,” he said, sounding desperate. “Please.”

She slumped down on the edge of the bed. “Make it quick. I have things to do.” She glanced at her laptop with the cursor blinking on a blank page.

“I just wanted to say I was wrong.”

“About what?”

“All of it. I felt like I was missing something, and I looked for it in the wrong places. Now I know, I had everything when I had you.”

She squeezed her eyes shut and shook her head, not wanting his pretty words to seep in.

“I made the biggest mistake of my life letting you go, and I just wanted you to know that.”

She stood and started pacing again. “What do you expect me to do with that?”

“I don’t know, but if you can find it in your heart to forgive me, I’ll be here.”

He sounded so sincere, but then she remembered when he’d told her about Vanessa. “I have to go. Goodbye, Patrick.” She hung up before he could say another word. Then she sat on the bed again, her mind whirling.

Cole had answered her phone last night, and he didn’t tell her. And why did Hope tell Patrick where she was? She wasn’t sure who she was angrier at: Patrick, Hope, or Cole.

Her phone rang again, and she saw she was about to get some answers.

“I just got off the phone with Patrick,” she said, instead of a greeting.

“Ohmigod. I told him not to call you!” Hope said.