12. Cole

TWELVE

Cole

9:14 pm

It's late, and I'm finally starting to relax after a long day at the cafe. Maddie's asleep, and I'm curled up on the couch with a book when my phone rings. I see Nelson's name flash on the screen. My heart sinks—calls from Nelson after hours are never good.

I answer, trying to keep the anxiety out of my voice. "Hey, Nelson. What's up?"

"Cole, we have a problem," Nelson says, his tone urgent. "I just got off the phone with John Early, the inspector."

My stomach tightens. "What did he say?"

"He's claiming we didn't properly address the issues from the last inspection. Specifically, he's saying that our refrigeration logs are still incomplete and that there's evidence of food stored at incorrect temperatures again."

"That's impossible!" I exclaim, sitting up straight. "I've been meticulous about those logs, and we've been monitoring the temperatures constantly."

"I know, but he's adamant. He said he found expired food in the back storage area, and there's supposedly a report of another pest sighting. He's threatening to shut us down if we don't fix this immediately."

Panic surges through me. "But Aric said we were on the right track. He's been guiding us through everything."

"I know," Nelson says, frustration evident in his voice. "But Early isn't backing down. He's giving us 48 hours to sort this out or face closure."

My mind races. We can't afford to be shut down, not even temporarily. The financial hit would be devastating, and our reputation could take a serious blow. I hang up with Nelson, my heart pounding, and immediately start dialing Aric's number, hoping he can help us navigate this new crisis.

I stare at my phone, my mind reeling from Nelson's call. The cafe, my livelihood, is at risk. I'm about to call Aric when my phone buzzes with a text from Buster.

Hey, I'm on my way home. Would love to stop by and say hi if you're up for company. No worries if it's too late.

I hesitate for a moment, then type back.

Come on over. I could use the company.

Selfishly, I want to talk to someone about this mess, and Buster's connection to Aric might be helpful. Plus, his presence might calm my nerves a bit.

A few minutes later, there's a soft knock at my door. I open it to find Buster standing there, looking tired but smiling.

"Hey," he says, stepping inside. "You okay? You look stressed."

I let out a long sigh. "I just got some bad news about the cafe. The health inspector is threatening to shut us down."

Buster's brow furrows with concern. "What? I thought Aric was helping you sort that out."

"He was... is," I say, running a hand through my hair. "But apparently, there are new issues. I'm not sure what to do. Is it too late to call Aric, do you think?"

Buster glances at his watch. "It's pretty late, but given the circumstances, he'd want to know. Want me to give him a call?"

I nod gratefully. "Please. I'm just... I'm a bit overwhelmed right now."

As Buster pulls out his phone to call Aric, I sink onto the couch, my mind racing with worst-case scenarios. The cafe is everything to me. The thought of losing it is almost too much to bear.

I watch Buster intently as he talks to Aric on the phone. My heart races, and I strain to hear what Aric is saying on the other end, but I can only make out Buster's side of the conversation.

"Hey, Aric. Sorry to call so late," Buster says, his voice calm and steady. "I'm here with Cole Johnson. Remember I mentioned her cafe?"

He pauses, listening. I fidget with the hem of my shirt, anxiety gnawing at my insides.

"Yeah, there's been a development," Buster continues. "Her manager got a call from John Early tonight. Something about a closure threat."

My stomach drops at the word 'closure.' I watch Buster's face for any sign of hope or concern.

"We don't have details on the specific violations," he explains. "That's why we're calling. Is there any way you could look into it? I know you and Cole spoke, but if you could take a second look, I'd really appreciate it."

Buster's eyes flick to mine, giving me a reassuring nod. I try to breathe deeply, reminding myself that panicking won't help.

"I know it's late, but this is urgent," Buster says. "Would you be able to talk to Cole directly? Or maybe look into it and call her back?"

He listens for a moment, then hands the phone to me. "Aric wants to speak with you," he says softly.

With shaking hands, I take the phone, grateful for Buster's presence and willingness to help. As I begin to explain the situation to Aric, I feel a glimmer of hope. Maybe, just maybe, we can figure this out before it's too late.

As I hang up the phone, relief washes over me. Aric's words echo in my mind, providing a desperately needed lifeline. He assured me that we typically have forty-eight hours to correct any violations when these orders come down. It's not an immediate death sentence for my cafe.

"We have time," I whisper, more to myself than to Buster.

Aric couldn't do anything tonight but promised to tackle it first thing in the morning. His confidence and determination to help eased some of the panic constricting my chest.

The emotions of the past hour—the fear, the uncertainty, the glimmer of hope—suddenly overwhelm me. Tears well up in my eyes; before I can stop them, they stream down my face.

Buster doesn't hesitate. He wraps his arms around me, pulling me close. I bury my face in his chest, letting out the sobs I've been holding back.

"I'm sorry," I manage between hiccups. "I didn't mean to dump all of this on you. You probably didn't expect this when you came over."

His hand rubs soothing circles on my back. "Hey, it's okay. That's what friends are for, right?"

Friends. Is that what we are now? I'm too exhausted to ponder that question. Instead, I let myself be comforted by his presence, grateful for his support in this moment of vulnerability.

I wipe my eyes, feeling a mix of embarrassment and gratitude as Buster gently brushes a tear from my cheek with his thumb. His touch is tender and comforting.

"Thank you," I say softly, meeting his gaze. "I don't know what I'd do right now without your connection to Aric. You've been a lifesaver."

Buster's eyes crinkle at the corners as he smiles. "I'm just happy I could help. That's what neighbors are for, right?"

I nod, feeling a warmth spread through my chest. Suddenly, I'm struck with an idea—a way to distract myself from the stress of the day and maybe get to know Buster a little better.

"Hey, do you want to watch a movie with me? There's this new one called Find Me Falling with Harry Connick, Jr. It might help me forget about all this for a while."

Buster raises an eyebrow. "I've never heard of it, to be honest. But I'd love to watch it with you if you don't mind me sticking around."

"Not at all," I assure him, feeling a flutter of excitement. "I could use the company."

We settle onto the couch, and I pull up the movie on my streaming service. As the opening credits roll, I can't help but steal glances at Buster. He seems genuinely interested, his eyes fixed on the screen.

"Fair warning," I whisper, "I'm a bit of a Harry Connick, Jr. fan. Let me know if I start swooning too much."

Buster chuckles softly. "Noted. I'll keep an eye out for any excessive swooning."

As the movie progresses, I find myself relaxing, the worries of the day fading into the background. Buster's presence beside me is comforting, and I'm grateful for this moment of normalcy amidst the chaos.

As we are both engrossed in Find Me Falling, the parallels are not lost on me. Here I am, sitting next to Buster, watching a movie about second chances and fate, heartbreak, misunderstandings, and personal tragedy—all after just receiving some of the worst news about my life's work. It's almost as if this is curated specifically for this time and for us.

The movie is about two people who were once close, who drifted apart due to misunderstandings and life's hurdles, and then found their way back to each other years later. They struggle with their pasts, confront old wounds, and slowly rebuild their bond, realizing they were meant to be in each other's lives all along. It's a cliché, sure, but there's something poignant about it.

I glance at Buster out of the corner of my eye. He's focused on the screen, his expression thoughtful. Watching this story unfold, I keep dwelling on the parallels to us. We had our brief moment years ago, a night that I thought would be the end of it. But here we are, thrown back into each other's lives by a twist of fate.

Maybe Find Me Falling is trying to tell me something. Is it a sign that Buster and I are supposed to give this—whatever this is—another chance? Or is it just a reminder that life has a funny way of bringing people together, even if only as friends?

The characters in the movie had to confront their fears and insecurities to find their way back to each other. Maybe that's what Buster and I need to do. But can I trust him after he disappeared on me once? And can I let myself lean on him now, especially when everything is falling apart with the cafe?

I sigh, feeling the weight of the day settle on my shoulders. The bad news from John Early still lingers in my mind, a dark cloud overshadowing everything. But sitting here with Buster, there's a strange comfort. Maybe it's the familiarity, or maybe it's the way he seems genuinely willing to help.

Find Me Falling is just a movie, but its message about second chances and the importance of fighting for what matters hits close to home. Maybe Buster and I have unfinished business. Or perhaps we're just meant to be friends, helping each other through tough times.

Either way, I can't ignore the feeling that there's more to our story. The movie leaves me wondering if fate really has a plan for us. Or is that just wishful thinking in a time where I feel like I need anything to cling to, to keep me from breaking completely…

As the final scenes of the movie unfold, the characters finally confront their past, and the tension that's been building between them bursts into a passionate embrace. Their kiss is intense, filled with all the emotions they've kept bottled up for years. It's raw and honest, a culmination of their journey and struggles.

I feel a knot tighten in my chest. Watching their passion makes me acutely aware of Buster sitting beside me and the palpable unspoken tension between us.

Slowly I move my hand towards Buster's middle, my heart racing. The air feels thick, charged with an electricity I can't ignore.

When I gently place my hand on his stomach, I feel the warmth of his body through his shirt. I don't make any further moves; I just let my hand rest there, testing the waters.

My insides are on fire, desire coursing through me. I'm acutely aware of every point of contact between us—my hand on his stomach, our shoulders brushing, the closeness of our bodies on the couch. The attraction I feel for him in this moment is overwhelming, threatening to consume me.

I steal a glance at his face, trying to gauge his reaction. Does he notice my hand? Is he affected by this tension between us? I can't tell, and it's driving me crazy.

The movie continues playing, but I can barely focus on it anymore. All I can think about is Buster—his scent, his warmth, the strength I can feel beneath my palm. It's taking every ounce of self-control not to act on these feelings, not to turn to him and kiss him senseless.

I try to steady my breathing, but it isn't easy. My body is humming with energy, alive with want. I know I should move my hand, that I should focus on the movie and not on how much I want to touch him, to be closer to him. But I can't bring myself to pull away.

Instead, I remain still, my hand on his stomach, hyper-aware of every slight movement, every breath. The tension builds, and I wonder if he can feel it, too, this magnetic pull between us.

The credits of the movie roll, but I can't take my eyes off Buster. The intensity of the film, coupled with the undeniable chemistry between us, has left me emotionally charged and aching with desire. I can feel his gaze on me, and it's as if we're both held in suspense, waiting for the other to make the first move.

I take a deep breath, my hand still resting on his cock. Slowly, I slide it down, feeling the muscles tense under my touch. There's a sharp intake of breath from Buster as I cup him through his pants, and any lingering doubts I might have about what I'm doing have vanished. His arousal is evident, and it ignites a fire within me.

With a newfound boldness, I unbutton his pants, my fingers brushing against his hard length. I can feel his eyes on me, heavy with lust, as I free him from the confines of his clothing. I wrap my hand around his cock, stroking him slowly, watching as his head falls back against the couch with a low moan.

I want to taste him, to drive him wild with my mouth. Urgently, I drop to my knees on the floor between his legs, looking up at him through my lashes. His eyes meet mine, dark with need, and it spurs me on. I lean forward, flicking my tongue over the tip of his cock, savoring the salty taste of him.

Buster's hips buck slightly at the contact, and I can't help but smile before I take him into my mouth. I swirl my tongue around the head, then slowly begin to take more of him, inch by inch. His hands tangle in my hair, guiding me but not forcing, allowing me to set the pace.

I bob my head, my hand working in tandem with my mouth, building up a rhythm that has him panting and cursing under his breath. I can feel him getting closer, his thighs trembling beneath my hands, and I hollow my cheeks, sucking harder.

"Cole," he gasps out, a warning or a plea, I'm not sure. But I don't stop. I don't slow down. I want all of him, every last drop.

With a final, drawn-out moan, Buster comes undone. His body shudders as he spills into my mouth, and I swallow reflexively, not willing to waste a single bit. The taste of him, the feel of him losing control—it's intoxicating.

I release him gently, sitting back on my heels and wiping the corner of my mouth with a satisfied smirk. Buster looks down at me with a dazed expression, his chest heaving as he tries to catch his breath.

The moment's intensity hasn't waned; if anything, it's only grown stronger. I stand up, my body humming with anticipation, and I know without a doubt that this is just the beginning.