"I don't think I would have ever forgotten meeting you."

Her words put Cole's heart on high alert. The blush and cough while she turned her attention to anything else but him let him know she either didn't mean to say that out loud or in that way. Watching her internally battle herself was adorable. She was adorable. He wanted to compliment every mundane thing she did because she made it look good. He knew he'd come off extra creepy so he kept it to himself, but the urge was getting stronger.

He didn't want to linger on what she said too long at risk of losing her attention, so he steered the conversation. "Maybe you should call whoever you're meeting and make sure they're ok." She blushed even deeper and if he didn't know why he would have been confused. Of course he knew she was supposed to be meeting Zach. And of course, Cole is the one who orchestrated it, but she didn't know that...yet. Give it a decade or two...maybe save it for your wedding day speech he let his intrusive thoughts win. He didn't mind imagining a future with Noelle. Not anymore. He was going to give it a decent chance and if all went well she'd be his in no time. He was already hers.

"Oh...umm...let me message them." She pulled out her phone, clearly flustered. It made him feel a little bad that she didn't know that he knew why Zach wasn't here and that is who she was waiting for. When he first arrived and saw her sitting at a table, nervous, it made him jealous. Her waiting for someone else did not sit right with him and he was going to have to get the ball rolling.

As much as he wanted to wait, he felt the guilt slam down on him seeing her look so worried and nervous. Something couldn't start with a lie. His became dry and he was mad at himself on drinking his coffee much too quick. It was a nervous reaction as he hadn't planned further than sitting down with Noelle. Now he had to improvise everything. Maybe that was better. More sincere, and he knew he had to tell the truth.

"So...I have to admit something," he blurted out while she typed something on her phone. The typing stopped immediately after he said anything and she looked up at him with a raised brow. Either the temperature just jumped 20 degrees or he was going through something because his back suddenly felt sweaty. Why didn't he think this through? She's going to be upset with him, maybe hate him, maybe throw her drink at him. He would deserve it, but maybe if she was a forgiving person, she would hear why he did what he did.

With his hand rubbing the back of his neck he came clean. "Zach isn't coming. See..he's my brother and he sort of found your profile and..."

"Wait, what? I'm sorry you know Zach?" Her confusion was understandable. Especially since he was trying to not speak too loud as to gain more attention than he already was.

"Yeah. Zach is my brother." He was about to continue trying to explain why he did what he did, but the anger that crossed her face was almost a slap to the face.

"Did you tell him not to come?"

"No. Well, yes, but-"

"Did you do you it to mess with me?"

"What? No! Absolutely not. I-" before he could finish, Noelle stood up fast enough for her chair legs to screech while she reached for her purse. The people who weren't already staring at the football star, were now watching a woman run away from him as fast as she could. He couldn't afford to hesitate anymore. He had to move now before she got away. He exited the cafe and caught up to her near her car. "Noelle, please just give me a second to explain."

She whipped her head around so fast it nearly gave him whiplash. He expected to see the anger in her eyes that he saw at the table, but instead her eyes were full of tears. His heart dropped into his stomach at seeing the pain in her eyes. "I don't have to give you anything. Was this some sort of joke? Am I a puppet in your play? Was it really Zach who was messaging me?" One tear rolled down her cheek and he would have given anything to catch it with his thumb. He was a coward though. And he knew his plan was dumb now that he was looking back at it. "I've already had a hard time with men in my life and this proves that maybe it is just me."

"It's not you, I promise." He said with remorse. "Please Noelle, just let me tell you why I did what I did. It's stupid, I know. I thought it was cute, but now I realize how incredibly shitty it is." He prayed to whoever would listen that she'd give him just one minute to explain. She needed to know why.

She furiously wiped the first tear that had fallen and took a deep breath. "Fine, but it better be good."

He felt a fraction of relief at her allowing him to explain. Now he just had to hope he was good enough with his communication to not confuse her. With a deep breath to help put his head in the game he proceeded.

"So, Zach, my older brother, was on his dating app when I saw you appear on there. He said some things about how hot you were and how he was going to message you, and it made me uncomfortable. You see...he's a serial monogamist and I couldn't have him do that to you. Not that you wouldn't want that, I don't know what you'd want, but I didn't feel like you deserved that from him. Especially after being around you and Jacob a little bit. I'm sorry if I overstepped, but you deserve so much better than my brother and after what Jacob asked Santa for, I guess I assumed you wouldn't go for someone like him." He felt breathless after his explanation. Her face remained stoic and guarded and he wished he could erase the last few minutes to avoid her dealing with any of the negative emotions she was currently going through.

After a second passed, he added, "I'm sorry for overstepping, Noelle. I didn't do it to hurt you in any way. I did it for the opposite actually."

She stared at him for awhile. It made him feel even more nervous and he'd never felt more vulnerable. The look in her eyes was like she saw right through him. Could she read his mind? Could she see that he was jealous and wanted her all for himself? A part of him wanted her to see that so he wouldn't have to admit it to her out loud. Another part of him was scared out of his wits that she would find his actions childish and idiotic and decide she deserved better. She did deserve better. He just had a bad way of showing that.

Another moment of silence passed between them. The only sounds were of people moving in and out of the coffee shop. He was happy to have his back to the place to avoid more attention. He began to feel defeated. Any moment now she would walk away from him, never to be seen again.

"What do I deserve?" The question perplexed him for a moment since he wasn't expecting anything more from her. His mouth uttered a "huh?" Before he could stop himself. She sighed deeply and pinched between her eyes. "What do you think I deserve then?" She crossed her arms and looked at him impatiently.

"You want to know what I think you deserve?"

"Well since you thought it was your business to handle this thing with your brother for me because you thought I deserve better, then tell me what I do deserve?"

He didn't want to risk asking her another question because he could feel the frustration coming from her. So he thought of what he wanted for her and opened his mouth.

"You deserve romance, Noelle."