Chapter 27

Cole

Quitting my dream job shouldn’t have felt so freeing. I guess it’s confirmation I did the right thing.

It was awkward as fuck when I rolled into the office, resignation letter out and signed. A companywide email saying my goodbyes was scheduled for the same time I slapped my resignation letter on Noah’s desk.

He didn’t have shit to say. Just stared at the letter and gritted his teeth.

“Get help,” I growled at him. Then I turned away and packed my things.

I also made sure to have Haley’s check in hand before I left the office for good. I wasn’t sure if Noah would screw her over or not, but I wasn’t taking the risk. My girl gave him more than he deserved, and he was going to pay accordingly.

“What are you going to do now?” Tamara had asked.

“I don’t know yet,” was my reply.

That was three weeks ago, and I still don’t have a fucking answer.

Good news is, I didn’t have a non-compete clause in my contract with NGC. Noah’s mistake is my relief.

Double good news is, since I worked on Haley’s office design on my own, and never had her sign a contract, she’s still able to roll with the plans, free of charge, just like I’d planned.

I know enough construction companies, thanks to my work, my dad, and my brother Trey, that hiring a small crew to get her office up and running is easy.

Speaking of my girl, she’s killing it. Haley’s been up to her eyeballs with phone calls, people booking weddings in the area, and even up to two states away. She’d taken a video of the NGC night and posted it on social media. It got a decent number of views, but I’d talked her up to everyone with a set of ears, and she says that’s what really helped.

Maybe I can make a living being Haley’s personal hype man.

Talk about a dream job.

I’d brag about my Angel all day and night if I could.

Checking the time on my phone, I head down the street, pulling my beanie tighter on my head. It’s cold as fuck out. I smell snow.

I’m meeting Haley at a coffee shop in town. Don’t know why she wants to see me in the middle of the day like this, but I’m not complaining. Shit, any time my girl wants to see me, I’ll be there.

Besides, I’m going stir crazy at home. Putting feelers out for another job has been frustrating as hell.

Holding the door for a lady in a red coat, I let her through first, then head in. Unzipping my coat, I scan the café for my girl.

She’s not here yet.

Cool. Cool. I’ll just order her favorite and wait.

I order two lattes and when I pick them up at the other end of the café, I run into someone I never thought I’d see again. My stomach plummets.

Charles Bowman.

“Cole.” He grabs his coffee from the counter and gestures to a table with his coat already hanging off one chair. “Have a seat.”

It takes a hot minute for my brain to make my body move correctly. I cautiously head over and sit down with him. “It’s good to see you again.”

Am I in the twilight zone? “You too, Sir.”

“I’m going to cut to the chase,” he says, pushing his coffee cup out of the way. “I heard you quit NGC.”

My tongue feels fat in my mouth. Like a dipshit, I nod.

Charles taps the table. “I’m glad.”

“It was overdue,” I manage to say. “I only planned to stay when I got the deal with you. Once that was gone, there was no reason to stick around.”

He leans back in his chair with his arms crossed. “I couldn’t in good conscience work with a company like that. Noah was incredibly out of line with my wife.”

“I’m sorry you and Mrs. Bowman were disrespected.”

“Don’t apologize for things you didn’t do. That’s on Noah. Not you.” He clears his throat. “And we only went with Noah because I’d seen some of your designs from colleagues of mine. I’m on a lot of boards, Cole. A lot. And I have a lot of fucking money.”

My stomach clenches. I have no clue what he’s trying to say to me.

“I’m always disappointed when my colleagues don’t have the balls to step outside of conventional designs.”

“Classics are classics for a reason, sir. They stand the test of time.”

“True. But that’s not how you make a statement. You can’t pave a way to greatness by playing it safe. The future needs boldness. It needs leaders who aren’t afraid to stand out.”

I still have no clue where he’s going with this.

Charles looks down at his hands. “My wife and daughter are meeting with Next Level Events right now, making wedding plans.”

My heart swells with pride for Hales. “They’ll love working with Haley. She’s incredibly talented and so genuine.”

“And she’s yours, right? You two are a couple?”

What the fuck?

“Yes, Sir. She’s…” I look down, shaking my head and chuckling. “She’s the love of my life. The only one I’ve ever had.”

“I was the same way with Sinclair. She’s the greatest thing that ever happened to me. I’ll do anything for her. And also, my daughter.”

“I get it.”

His expression turns more serious. “A smart man knows when the right thing comes along and he better grab it with both hands and not let go.”

“Yes, sir. No, sir.” I’m not even sure how to correctly answer him.

“You’re that right thing, Cole.”

I’m so fucking confused.

He must see it on my face because he quickly adds, “I still want you to work with us. I didn’t sign the contract with NGC so it’s not under Noah’s control. Fucking good timing on that one. My secretary went home sick the day I sent the email letting Noah know we’d chosen your design. When she came back to work, she was so overwhelmed with catching up, she never got the contract out. I ripped it up the day after the party.”

My heart skitters around in my chest. Talk about good timing.

“I wasn’t joking about putting up buildings all over the shorelines. I’m working with some big companies to secure property in seven major coastal sites.” He tips his head. “I’d love for you to design each one for us.”

Thank God I’m sitting down, or I’d fall flat on my ass.

“Are you serious?”

“I don’t joke about money, Cole. And this is going to be a lot of money.” He holds his hand out for me to shake. “What do you say? Want to change the world with me and potentially save a bunch of sea life at the same time?”

My palms are clammy. “Yes, sir.” I shake his hand, feeling lightheaded. “Absolutely.”

“I knew you were a smart man.” He chuckles and leans back in his chair. Then his gaze drifts over my shoulder. “Ah. Here come our better halves.”

I turn to see Haley and Sinclair enter the café, both laughing.

Haley’s eyes meet mine, and her smile is so warm it makes me melt.

“I’ll be in touch,” Charlie says. “Haley gave my wife your number already.”

With that, he leaves with Sinclair and Haley comes over, planting a big kiss on my cheek. “Hi.”

“You are something else,” I say, my mind reeling.

“By something else, you mean amazing, smart, and built to fuck, then yeah, you’re right.” She grabs her drink from the table. “Are you happy?”

Her question has nothing to do with us, and everything to do with what just happened between me and Charles Bowman.

“He’s hiring me to design conservation buildings all along the coasts. Seven, in fact.”

The cup slips right out of Haley’s hand and splashes all over the floor. She practically jumps into my lap. “I’m so fucking proud of you!”

“Thanks.” I wrap my arms around her and squeeze. “I hear you’re planning their daughter’s wedding?”

“I am.” She wiggles her ass in my lap. “And she’s getting the royal treatment.”

“As all brides should.”

Haley’s so excited, she’s practically vibrating. “This is amazing. You’re amazing. Everything’s amazing.”

It sure is.

Timing is everything. Things don’t always happen when you want them to.

They happen when they’re meant to.

And this? This is our time.