CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE Chad

My phone buzzed in the hot pink holder it sat in on the dashboard. Cole was calling. I felt a gentle tug on my heart at seeing his name pop up. I tapped the screen.

"Hey, stranger," I said. "I've been thinking about you."

"And I you," he replied. "You sound like you're in a wind tunnel or inside some noisy store or something. Is this an okay time to talk?"

"How about I do one better," I said. "I have something I want to show you, anyway."

"I'd like to see this something. Where are you?"

"I'm a mile down the road on my way home to show my folks something too, but I kind of like the idea of showing you first, Mr. Hicks."

"I'd be honored," he said. "So, at my place?"

"Three minutes and please stay inside. No looking for me on the road until I honk."

"Sounds interesting, Chad. I'm excited to see whatever this is, and I'm not going to lie, I'm even more excited to see you."

"Me too. I'm sorry about being MIA, but I'll explain when I stop by," I said. "See you in a coupla minutes."

I tapped the call off and exhaled. I hadn't planned on stopping by Cole's but was happy he'd called me. He'd been on my mind, but my new project had been my primary focus, and now I had butterflies again. I realized I missed being around him after the call. There wasn't a day that had gone by in the past two weeks that I wasn't reliving our last time together. Not only was that visit hot, but I felt a strong desire to see him again, and not just because of the awesome sex.

I couldn't read Cole, but I could read me. I was taken with him and felt drawn to the man, but I was afraid of admitting my feelings to anyone, least of all myself. On one hand, his confidence was obvious, but behind that coolness and maturity was a fragile soul. I could feel the sorrow in my bones when near him. I could see it when I studied his eyes. Cole had suffered loss, and I could recognize loss like I could recognize my own reflection in a mirror.

The question I had was simple. Did I dare go down that path again? If I gave all of me to help with his pain, would there be anything left for me this time? I wasn't sure I had anything left after David's death, followed relatively soon by Clint's decision to end our relationship. Cole possessed what I was drawn to, and the pull was like a magnet to a two-ton block of steel. He had that something that caused my heart to beat double, and my love to want to embrace him. I felt his sorrow, and I wanted to protect him.

But what about my pain? What about my losses? I've always felt that what swells my heart and nurtures my soul is my ability to recognize the beauty in everyone and everything. I call it a sixth sense when I encounter a soul that also has hurt in their hearts. I want to heal their wounds and love them through it. Who would love me through mine?

Even though I was focused on my new endeavor the past two weeks, there wasn't a day, or even an hour, that Cole didn't pop up front and center in my mind. This fact was what told me I was definitely interested in knowing him. I also wrestled with the coincidences surrounding him landing literally in my backyard.

How had that happened? And why? As hard as I listened to my subconscious mind, I could not tap into the most obvious of connections—Jack. Sure, I'd heard a message or two since meeting Cole, but not one that pushed me toward him. Even a trip to The Hamptons and trying to connect there didn't prompt Jack to advise me. Of course, there was the elderly man, at least in my mind, but what was his message?

I began to wonder if the communications, or lack of them, had more to do with me making my own decisions regarding my love life. David had been my boss at his sports bar when we met, so that connection was organic, in my opinion. I believed Jack had led me to Clint on my journey with Perry. And now, the circumstances would seem to indicate that Jack sent Cole for me. But why wasn't Jack making the connection obvious to me?

I entered the long driveway to Cole's house, my giant truck lumbering down the gravel road, pots and pans rattling behind me as I made my way. I had a pit in my gut about showing Cole my purchase. What if he thought me too blue-collar? What if he disapproved?

I positioned the food truck at the best angle to show off the new exterior wrap that told the story of what my business was. I'd considered painting it, but a friend told me about total truck wrapping and how it was basically like a giant billboard shrink-wrapped around your vehicle.

After honking, I hurried to the middle of the truck, and opened the side window where my customers would be ordering from, and leaned out, waiting for Cole. The front door opened, and he stood still as he took in the hot-pink color of my rig. His eyes scanned from one end of the food truck to the other as he took one step at a time down the front stairs. Once at the bottom, a huge grin spread across his face.

"What can I get you, Mr. Hicks?" I hollered.

"One of you and one of whatever it is you're selling, stud."

"You like?" I asked, nerves still rumbling in my belly. Thank goodness I was inside the rig and he couldn't see me nervously moving my feet from side to side.

"I absolutely love it, Chad. I mean it," he confirmed. "The truck is so perfectly you."

"Come around back," I said. "I want you to see the inside."

He liked the truck. At least he said he did, and I was on cloud nine after the positive feedback. His opinion mattered to me. Cole was successful and I respect those who have worked hard to achieve their goals, so naturally I was thrilled by the first impression he shared with me.

I pushed the large double doors open at the back of the rig. Cole was standing there, beaming at me. I hopped out and came to stand next to him, both of us looking at my investment, my career, and my future.

"So, this is what you've been up to, Mr. Sunshine," he said, heading around to the front side of the truck and to where I'd been earlier. "Hot pink, of course."

"Too bright?" I inquired. "Because, you know, I like the visual of happy times that come from pink."

"Well, with the giant tropical fruit and funky Hawaiian script, it exudes cool."

I was excited that he understood the vibe I was after. "And the name?" I asked.

"‘Bowls on Wheels' is perfection, Chad. The name sells the product, and for a food truck, you have to tell the approaching customer exactly what you're offering. Brilliant, in my humble opinion."

"And I do savory bowls, too," I inserted, overflowing with happiness at his reception. "Bowls of steamed veggies, seeds, nuts, noodles with broth, stuff like that."

"Can I look inside at your kitchen?" he asked.

"You want to? I mean, the inside is sorta messy right now because I still ha–"

Cole grabbed my hand and interrupted me. "I want you to show me everything. Tell me how you decided to do this. Where the idea came from. Tell me everything. I want all the details," he said. "I am so excited for you, Chad."

I couldn't help but tear up. It had been a long time since I felt appreciated by someone other than my parents. Cole was sincerely happy and engaged in my presentation, and his pure supportive attitude swelled my heart. After seeing my tears, he pulled me close and wrapped me in his arms.

"I'm sorry," I choked, my face against his chest. "I didn't expect this from you."

"What? That I'd be supportive of your fantastic idea?" he asked. "This is so left field as a business, but for you, it is exactness. I could not be prouder of you."

I pulled back and studied his face as tears continued to fall, despite my best efforts. "I'm sorry I didn't call or stop by," I said. "I thought about you a lot, though. I missed you too."

"I missed you, too," he stated. "Seeing you now only makes the longing worth the wait."

"That is an incredibly kind thing to say."

"I like you, Chad. I like you a lot, to be honest," he added. "And I can't tell you how happy I am that you thought to share this accomplishment with me."

"But you called me," I began. "I might not have stopped by otherwise, even though I did think about you a lot."

"Doesn't matter who called who," he corrected. "I'm just happy you picked up the call."

I motioned to the truck. "Shall we?" I asked.

"Lead the way."

I gave Cole the complete tour. We went over the items I would sell, the interior equipment, and how I'd tailored the kitchen improvements to my menu. He enthusiastically listened and gave input occasionally, encouraging me every step of the tour. He even offered to design my point-of-sale equipment and build the software program to the iPad I planned on using to cash out my customers. "Free of charge for the hottest guy on the beach," he said.

"I was on my way home to show my folks when you called," I said.

"I won't keep you then." He jumped out the back door, turned toward me, and smiled. "They're going to love it."

He looked so handsome and loving as he stared at me approvingly. I felt several of the dozen miniature locks on my heart click open. Cole cared for me. His face said it all. I didn't need a message or a sixth sense from the universe. His emotions were front and center for me to easily decipher.

"Wanna go with?" I asked excitedly.

"You sure?" he replied, quickly looking away as emotion rippled across his face, filling his eyes.

"I want you to make them feel the way you just made me feel," I stated. "Thank you, Cole. Thank you for believing in me. It's been a long time."

"For me too," he confessed. "And thank you for being a friend."

I reached down to grab his hand and pulled him into the truck. We stood motionless for a moment before he pulled me in for a kiss. "To new beginnings," I whispered after the passionate kiss. "Can I bring you back for a movie date after Mom and Dad's?"

Cole slowly nodded his head. "I'd like that."

"I could cook dinner for us too," I added. "That is, if you've grocery shopped lately."

"How about we stop by the store on the way back?" he said, laughing.

"Mr. Hicks," I admonished. "What am I going to do with you?"

He raised his eyebrows. "Cook me a good dinner, and then anything you want."

Yep, he liked me.