Chapter 32

Evie

Tremé, New Orleans, Louisiana

F or a man who claimed not to know how to date, Cole made their day unbelievably enjoyable and special. Not like she had much to compare it to, but she imagined that this was what a dream date would be like. After their magic-fueled make out, he took her hand and walked her into a large open area laid with light stone and filled with people. Massive trees surrounded the area; it took them no time at all to sense her and curve towards her.

A small smile on his face, Cole explained the historical significance of Congo Square as the Place Publique , a social and religious gathering point and market place for slaves in the 1800s, then its importance to Tremé, the neighborhood he had grown up in. All the while, across from the bench where they sat, an older Black man picked out a tune on his saxophone. The music echoed across the area to them, each note clear and poignant. And although Evie was sure Cole was ready to leave, she wasn't ready to go anywhere with all the history and magic and music around them.

Through the trees, a block filled with older looking buildings was just visible. A perfect mix of city and forest, just removed enough that it felt like it wasn’t steps away from the hustle and bustle while still allowing for those fleeting visions of New Orleans. Not for the first time, Evie sighed in contentment, snuggling further into Cole’s side, even as a sharp, unexpected pang of longing for her sisters bolted through her. Sandrine would love this place.

They sat there, listening to the music until the sun was about to go down and the street lamps came on, their glow luminous in the foggy evening.

“You ready to go, Angel?” Cole nuzzled into her neck, the chilly tip of his nose against the delicate skin under her ear sending a shiver down her spine. “I’m pretty sure I need to feed you.”

As if in answer, her stomach grumbled, loudly enough she could hear it over the music.

Cole burst into unexpected laughter beside her, the rich, warm sound wrapping around her like a blanket.

Evie’s mouth dropped open in surprise. If she was overwhelmed by him when he was serious or aroused, Cole laughing was something else completely, something she was completely unprepared to deal with. He was sweet and funny and smart and so beautiful it almost hurt to look at him… and she wanted to keep him. Needed to stay with him.

“That’s my cue.” Cole stood and pulled her to her feet. She went with him easily, tucking herself into the warmth of his body without even waiting for him to move. A low sound in his chest rumbled against her ear as he wrapped an arm around her. They strolled back through the park and out through the walkway, Cole’s arm and body keeping away the worst of the chill.

After a short walk, Cole led her to a sprawling brick building on the corner of a block. Massive windows gave her a good view into what looked like a restaurant on the first floor and, overhead, a simple iron railing rounded the balcony on the second story of the building. “Give me a sec. I’m gonna go grab us a cab ’cause it’s getting too cold for you to be walking outside in what you’re wearing.” He squeezed her hip before striding away towards the front desk.

Evie watched him saunter across the room, her eyes tracking each movement. She knew that if he looked back at her, he would see every feeling she had for him emblazoned on her face. Forcing her gaze away from him, she glanced around the space, taking in the marble flooring, the decorative flowers, and, best of all, the ornate chandeliers blazing overhead. The light bulbs illuminated what must be thousands of crystals, reflecting kaleidoscopic prisms all around her.

Her gaze was still locked on the chandelier when an arm snared around her waist. Before she could be alarmed, the smoky mint scent of Cole surrounded her. “Our ride’s here.”

She nodded and, with one last lingering look at the opulent light fixtures, followed him out to the car waiting for them at the curb. Sliding in through the door Cole opened for her, she relaxed into the cracked leather seats as he dropped in beside her.

With a grunt of greeting, the driver took off for their next destination, weaving wildly in and out of traffic like his drive was going to be timed. Although the sun had set, the city was somehow brighter than before: the street lamps releasing a flickering yellow glow, the traffic lights painting the inside of the car in reds and greens, and the neon signs illuminating the world around them in every shade under the rainbow. Their drive took them from the liveliness of the area they had been in into a quiet neighborhood filled with small, well-lit houses in vibrant colors.

“Where are we now?”

“This is Tremé,” he replied, eyes on the scenery passing around them. “Where my parents and I lived.” His accent was thicker than she had heard it before, a slight note of sadness seeping through his words. She rested her hand on his knee, smiling when she felt his fingers wrap around hers, squeezing tightly. The car pulled to a stop at a red light, and Cole nudged her, gesturing with his chin out the window next to her. “If you look down that street… you see the second house down the street, the light blue one?” She followed his instructions, nodded when she caught a glimpse of it just before the driver stomped on the gas, the car shaking as it hurtled forward. “That’s where my parents and I lived before we moved to the cottage in Gentilly just before they died. Even though we left the area, though, they always made sure to bring me back to see our close friends. So I would never forget where I came from.”

Evie turned in her seat to face Cole. Taking in the grief on his face, she tightened her fingers around his knee. His expression made it clear just how much showing her this meant to him. “Thank you for sharing it with me,” she said quietly, kissing his cheek.

The harsh edges of mourning on his features softened. His free hand stroked over her arm. “I got to see where you grew up. I wanted you to see where I came from too, I guess.”

Blood pounded in her ears as she stared into his oh-so-familiar eyes, barely noticing when the car jerked to a stop at another traffic light. With each confession, he was crawling his way further into her heart, into that place only he—as the friend visible only to her—had ever occupied. She wasn’t sure she could get him out if she tried. Honestly, she wasn’t sure she ever wanted to get him out.

The car came to a stop in front of a bright blue house with cheery yellow accents. A weathered sign reading Gabrielle Restaurant ranged over the porch roof that sloped slightly over the sidewalk, protecting the two small turquoise tables sitting underneath it from the elements.

“Fare’s already been settled,” the driver said. “You gonna need a ride home, too?”

“Yeah, man, that would be great.” Cole glanced at Evie. “Can you be back at 8:30?”

“I can do that.” He shook Cole’s hand. “Enjoy your dinner, you two.”

Evie shot the driver a quick smile before sliding out of the car behind Cole, taking the hand he had dropped down to help her to a stand.

He shut the door firmly behind her; the car pulled out immediately, almost getting sideswiped by an oncoming car. “Six in one hand, half dozen in the other whether he shows back up,” she heard him mutter beside her. “Jesus, I gotta replace my phone soon.”

As they walked in to the small blue house, the warmth of the room and the delicious aromas of carefully prepared food surrounded her.

Cole held up two fingers after a quick conversation with the hostess, an older woman who greeted him by name like he was her long-lost son before turning a smothering hug on Evie. In no time, they were being escorted past the long, low bar bordering the side of the room to a two-person table tucked into a corner. “This was one of my maman’s favorite restaurants in the city. Probably didn’t hurt that it was so close to home and pretty affordable in addition to just being amazing food.”

Dinner was a blur of, as promised, incredible food and conversation that flowed more naturally than any she’d ever had. By the end of it all, Evie was full and so comfortable she could easily fall asleep at the table.

“It’s 8:30,” he said, signing the receipt in front of him with a flourish and standing. “Let’s see if our friendly neighborhood cab driver actually came back for us.”

She followed him out of the restaurant, the hostess waving a cheerful goodbye at them.

Against all odds, the car was sitting at the curb. The driver leaned against its side, smoking. “Where to, boss?” he asked, dropping his cigarette to the ground and stomping it into oblivion before he climbed back into the driver's seat as Cole and Evie slid into the back.

Evie heard Cole’s response but didn’t take it in. Her eyes slid shut briefly, but she shook her head, forcing them back open.

A low chuckle sounded next to her. “Angel, go ahead and fall asleep. We’ll be home soon.”

She shook her head. “No, no, I’m okay.”

“That would be a lot more convincing if your eyes weren’t closed when you said it.” Cole’s voice was rich with suppressed laughter. “It’s okay, ma sorcière . Go to sleep.” One large hand cupped the nape of her neck and tugged her head to rest on his chest.

Evie was about to doze off when a question she had wanted to ask earlier came back to her. Although she didn’t open her eyes, she did ask what she wanted to know. “What happened to the home you lived in with your parents after they died? Who lives there now?”

She felt Cole’s head tilt down towards her. “They leased our Gentilly house, but they owned the house in Tremé outright. For some reason, they didn't sell it when we moved. It was held in trust until I came of age.” He stroked a hand over her hair and down her back before it finally came to rest at the bottom of her spine. “After I received the deed when I was 21, I connected with some of the local realtors to purchase the houses surrounding it.”

“Why?” she yawned. He didn’t answer. After a few minutes of silence, she lifted her head, pushing her eyes open enough to look at him. “Cole?”

“I wanted to give back to the area so I, uh, I worked with a local charity to make the houses available at no cost to women and children escaping domestic abuse situations with nowhere to go. They can stay as long as they need. The charitable arm of my firm takes care of any and all bills associated with the housing, and the charity I work with ensures they have whatever else they need.”

Evie’s eyes flared fully open. “That’s amazing.”

He shrugged. “Anybody would do the same.”

“I’m not sure that’s accurate,” she corrected gently, resting her head back on his chest, her eyelids sliding closed once more. “You’re incredible, Cole Aidoneus.”

She didn’t hear it when he whispered, “Not half as incredible as you.”