Amelia Walters was Cole's new favorite person. It was like she was reading his mind, at least her actions said so. Her inviting him to join them at their table was the icing on the cake that he could easily have Amelia on his side. In fact, it seemed like she was trying to play matchmaker herself. As they sat and waited for their food to arrive, she made sure to constantly brag about Amelia and then ask Cole questions that were practically an interrogation to make sure he was a suitable candidate. A few minute into their conversation, Cole was interrupted with a finger poking at his shoulder. When he turned around, there was a young man who had a look of awe.

"A-Are you Coleuel Kingston. THE Cole Kingston?"

"I sure am. Nice to meet you," Cole held his giant hand out to the man he now assumed was a teenager.

"Holy sh-cow! I can't believe it! Can I..uh...can I have your autograph? My dad is not going to believe this!" The young man was practically squealing in joy and Cole couldn't help but smile. He knew he owed his fans the best treatment. He wouldn't be so popular if he was a jerk like some other athletes.

"Of course you can. We can take a picture if you want too. Maybe that will help your father believe." The boy pulled his phone out and whipped it around them, ready to take a selfie with Cole. Since Noelle and Amelia were behind him they had to duck out of the way to avoid being in the picture. Cole didn't miss the confusing look on Amelia's face. He guessed that she hadn't heard of him being a football player, but hopefully this would help put him in her graces even more. He tried his best not to stare at Noelle as to not come off as creepy, but he was having a difficult time fighting the pull she had on him.

After a few pictures and more of the teenager giving Cole his own stats, it was back to just Amelia, Noelle and Cole sitting at their table. Only this time, Amelia was assessing him with a more serious look on her face.

"So...you play sports?" Cole almost laughed at the innocent question. Amelia was definitely his favorite person now.

"Yes ma'am, I played professional football for a little while. I retired this past season."

"Please stop with the 'ma'am. You can call me Amelia. Were you a hussy when you played football, Cole?"

If Cole had taken a sip of his water he would have definitely spit it out at that question. So Amelia was far from innocent, but it made him that much more of a fan of hers.

"I am a monogamous man, Amelia. I prefer commitment and exclusivity. How about yourself?"

With his question Amelia couldn't help but blush while Noelle chuckled. He liked that he got one out of her and hoped to get even more. If he played his cards right, Amelia might even help him.

"You're good at this," she complimented Cole. "Now tell me more about your farm. Do you own it?"

As Cole explained more of the family owned farm and how they all put the effort in to make it work, he constantly tried to make sure Noelle felt included even though she remained mostly silent. She seemed almost nervous and Cole felt bad about it, like he might be the reason she seemed so timid. As much as he felt a pull to her, he didn't want to come off too strong especially if she wasn't interested. The rosiness that accompanied her cheeks when he caught her looking at him said otherwise and kept Cole's hope up.

Shortly after, their food arrived and the conversation lulled while they enjoyed their meals. Cole, still not used to not being in pro-athlete mode, inhaled his food much quicker than the two ladies. They took rather small bites and chewed slowly, in Cole's biased opinion, but he also enjoyed watching Noelle eat. As creepy as it seemed, he couldn't help but find it cute as hell and he could picture himself enjoying more meals with her, albeit slower on his part.

A few more minutes of them eating and Cole couldn't help but now stare at their plates that held at least half of their food still. He was almost drooling at how delicious Noelle's sandwich looked. He must have been terrible at hiding it, because the sound of Noelle's plate moving towards him snapped his attention back to her.

"I'm full and you look like you could use more than the wrap you had," she said delicately. Cole's face flushed at how kind she was being about it.

"Are you sure? I don't want to eat most of your food," he said apologetically. He was planning on paying for the ladies meals, but that didn't mean he expected some of their food as payment. However, his stomach was hoping to meet the sandwich and fries that were left on the plate.

"I can never finish a whole sandwich here and I need to save some space for ice cream when I pick up Jacob after this." He wouldn't say it out loud in fear of being a creep, but he missed the little guy. He was fun and charismatic and it made Cole want to make sure he had all of the best things in life. He was sure Noelle was doing her best in that part, but a primal side of him wanted to take care of the kid. And his mother.

"Oh you should walk with is to get Jacob. It's just a couple of blocks down and I'm sure he'd be so excited to see you!" Most people might dislike a meddling person, but Cole was in awe of Amelia. It was as if she were reading his mind. He could give the woman a bear hug and swing her in circles, he was so happy because of her.

"I wouldn't mind seeing him at all, but I don't want to be in the way. Plus, it should be up to his mom," Cole nodded towards Noelle who had a flustered look about her. The last thing he wanted to do was upset her even though he was screaming in his head at her to please let him tag along. He would respect her wishes in the end and hope that another opportunity to be around them came up.

"Oh nonsense, I'm sure she's fine with it and I'd like more of your company," Noelle's mother responded before Noelle could decide. He saw the battle going on in Noelle's mind. He appreciated her hesitance and thought maybe it meant some part of her did want him around too.

"Thank you Mrs. Walters, I appreciate that and I would love to spend more time with you all. I'd still like to make sure it's okay with Noelle though," he said while keeping his eyes on Noelle. When she focused back on him, he could see the appreciation and relief in her face. Maybe her meddling mother didn't let Noelle choose for herself, but that could be remedied.

Only a few seconds passed, but to Cole it felt like a million before Noelle answered.

"Yes, I'd like for you to join us."

And he was done for.