Or was it the opposite? Did she still like it when he held her? Was she holding back because this was supposed to be all pretend? It didn’t feel pretend to him. Did she also think it felt too much like the real thing? He tried to tamp down the hope billowing inside him.
“You were never this touchy-feely when we were together,” she complained.
“Then you are remembering it wrong.” Still, she may have a point. In the past, one touch or one look held the promise of something more. Now that wasn’t the case and who knew how many chances he would get to hold her like this? This could be his only opportunity to relive these moments.
Angie smoothed her hand over her hair and tilted her head back. “It’s too bad Heidi didn’t have a lot of information.”
“But she did. She said she wasn’t drinking.”
“Of course she’s going to say that,” Angie argued. “She doesn’t want Brittany mad at her. The fact is there was a spilled martini next to her.”
“It doesn’t mean she had any of that in her system.” He rested his arm against the wall and looked down at Angie. “I really wish I could get my hands on her blood test.”
“Good luck with that.” Angie said. “I don’t know much about investigations but I know the medical staff will protect Heidi’s privacy. No one is going to give it to you.”
Cole saw a movement from the corner of his eye. “Here comes the other bridesmaid. Let’s sell this relationship once and for all.”
She gave him a wary look. “What do you have in mind?”
“Just this.” He lowered his head and claimed her mouth with his.
Cole knew he was playing with fire. He only intended to skim her lips. But he found that he couldn’t pull away. He needed another kiss and then another. He traced her full, soft lips with the tip of his tongue.
Angie opened her mouth and drew him in. Triumph swept through him. He cupped her jaw with both hands and leaned in. She kissed him as if she couldn’t get enough of him. Excitement pulsed through Cole as Angie grabbed his shirt and pulled him closer.
“Hey, you two,” Robin said loudly. “Get a room.”
Cole wrenched away from Angie. Damn it, he thought as he gulped for air. He forgot. He forgot where they were and why they were kissing. Most of all, he forgot that kissing Angie was like sharing a piece of his soul.
“Oh, it’s you from last night.” Robin gave a sly smile to Angie and tapped her arm with the box of chocolates she held in her hand. “Good for you. I thought the two of you would hit it off.”
“What are you doing here, Robin?” Angie asked as she pushed away from the wall. “I thought you didn’t like Heidi.”
Cole was suddenly taken aback. He knew from surveillance that Robin and Heidi didn’t get along, but he didn’t think Angie would say it so bluntly. Yet Robin didn’t seem to mind.
“Eh,” she said and gave a shrug. “The best way to describe it is that we’re frenemies.”
This was a person he needed to speak to. Robin knew Heidi from the past and could give him some insight. “The doctor just went in to check on Heidi,” Cole lied. “It may be a while. Let’s get some coffee while we wait. My treat.”
“Lead the way,” Robin said.
By the time Cole brought the drinks to their table in the café, he noticed that Robin was relaxed and talkative. He was glad Angie didn’t start asking questions right away. It surprised him that Angie knew how to approach Robin. The two women were very different. Robin wore impractical heels, skintight jeans and a fussy pink blouse that looked like an explosion of ruffles on her chest. He preferred Angie’s casual look and natural beauty.
When Cole gave Angie her drink, Robin noticed the complicated order written on the disposable coffee cup. “You guys met last night and he already knows your coffee order?”
Angie’s mouth opened and closed. She wasn’t sure what to say. Cole knew that they had to stick close to the truth if they wanted this ruse to work. “I dated Angie in the past.”
“So he is your ex-boyfriend! That explains why you’re hanging around during an obligatory hospital visit.” She gave Cole a thorough look. “Most one-night stands would find an excuse to get out of it.”
“I wasn’t ready for the day to end,” Cole said as he rested his arm along the back of Angie’s chair. “I had to convince her to bring me along.”
“Interesting.” She studied Angie with narrowed eyes. “I never thought Angie had that kind of pull.”