Idolatry

Trying to find some evidence to back up the beliefs that had sent her out of town for a week Win said “if you weren’t attracted to her why did you need me to act as a buffer? Surely you’re capable of telling her no?”

Cole sighed. “You’re right I didn’t need you to help reject her.”

“So you were attracted to her?” she said.

“No” he said “I wanted to have dinner with you. She was just an excuse.”

Win’s eyes widened. “What?” she said.

“You weren’t the excuse” he said “she was.”

“No” she pleaded horrified.

“Yes” he said. “I had been wanting to take you out for almost two years. I didn’t know how you felt however and I didn’t want to make you uncomfortable by asking and may be lose you as an employee. When Merril insisted on dinner I’m afraid all I could think about was how I could use the situation to get what I wanted, you.”

“Oh my god” she said closing her eyes and moving away as it hit home the conclusions she had jumped to.

She had her back to him now and as his hands came down on her shoulders she began to cry.

“Why did you believe her?” he said in a hurt tone.

“Because she’s beautiful and so much better suited to you” she sobbed.

Cole turned her around “but I don’t love her Winter, I love you.’

Win was crying in earnest now, great racking sobs shook her. Cole wrapped his arms around her. “I didn’t know where you’d gone” he said into her hair, his large hand cupping the back of her head. “I was frantic.”

“I’m sorry” she said her arms holding him tight. “I love you too.”

Cole released his breath on a sigh. “Can you say that again?” he said.

“I love you Cole, so much.”

“I love you so much too” he said lifting her tear stained face and looking down at her with a crooked smile before kissing her.