Friends.

Cole never minded having friends in his life. As long as they proved they were a good person and someone he had plenty in common with, he could call them a friend. Noelle wasn't someone he wanted to share that Colee title with the others. He wanted to go caveman and throw her over his shoulder and demand they be more, but logic beat the primitive side in his mind and he supposed it was better to start out as friends anyway.

Even though the conversation they had didn't go exactly as he had planned, he was still happy and full of hope. They finished their walk in a comfortable silence and then spent the ride back to his vehicle making small talk. Noelle looked much more at ease now and it had him feeling accomplished. Her laugh came easier and he loved being the one to bring it out of her. Unfortunately, the trip was short and he didn't get nearly enough time as he wanted.

As he stepped out of her vehicle he didn't expect her to get out as well and walk him to his. It was endearing and made his heart beat for her even more. When they arrived, he turned to her with a large smile and was met with one from her as well. Her cheeks had stayed red the entire time, even in the warmth of the heating so he knew some of it was from him. An even more victorious feeling spread throughout. He wanted to puff his chest out and flex at everyone else with his accomplishment.

"Thank you, Noelle, for giving me a chance to plead my case. Again, I'm really sorry for how I went about things."

She chuckled lightly and even though there was some worry in her eyes, it didn't remain long. "I forgive you this time, but please don't make it a habit."

"I promise I have no plans to sabotage any more dates of yours." He said it, but inside his stomach dropped at the idea of her having more dates. With other men. Men he didn't know and who could be wonderful people that deserved her. He hoped maybe this would turn her off trying dating apps for awhile. In fact, he crossed his fingers behind his back and mentally prayed to anyone listening that she wouldn't go back there. He wasn't above begging like a child.

"I think I am going to take a break from any sort of app, but thank you," she said with a giggle. She may have not realized it, but her words gave him more life and tons of relief. More time to get to know her and Jacob yourself the selfish, yet not entirely wrong part of his mind said to him. "Well, I guess I better-"

"Do you want to being Jacob back to the farm this weekend?" He asked before she could make her exit. If they were going to be friends, they spent time together. This would be the perfect time to start doing that, while also getting to hang out with the awesome little kid that stole part of his heart.

"Oh...um," she said, thrown off from his quick and direct question. She looked up in thought, seeming to go through a mental calendar which gave Cole hope. "I'm looking after my niece this weekend so my brother and sister in law can spend some time alone in the city. Is it okay if I bring her? I think she'd like to go there again with all the festive things you have going on."

"I'd love that. Let me give you my number so you can let me know when you make it there. Saturdays are a bit busier, but we have a few contests going on that maybe they could join in on or watch." He held out his hand waiting for her to hand over her phone. She hesitated only slightly before she reached in her coat pocket, unlocked her phone, and handed it over. When he looked into her phone, he noticed the wallpaper was of Jacob making the goofiest face and appeared to have food all over it. He couldn't help but chuckle and Noelle must have known exactly why he chuckled and laughed along with him. He made quick work of adding his number and then calling himself from it so he would have hers. He wasn't going to pester her now that he had it, he'd wait till she reached out first. He wanted to make sure she stayed comfortable with him, especially after the hiccup earlier.

After they parted ways, Cole headed home feeling light and happy. He would have to force his brother to send one more message to Noelle through the dating app to apologize for letting him make an idiot of himself so that way she felt no ill will towards anyone from his family. With everyone else busy working around the farm and handling the smaller weekday crowds at the holiday area, he decided to relax in his cozy cabin.

Cole had a hard time learning to relax after retiring from football. When the offseason was spent working out multiple times a day and the season was spent traveling and training in between, Cole had lost the ability to relax. It still felt slightly foreign to him when he first started, but after a few moments, he settled in to his extra large couch and turned on a documentary he barely paid attention to. His thoughts were replaying the entire morning over and over. The good and the bad. His stomach twisted when it got to the part where Noelle's face contorted in embarrassment and hurt. He would do his best to not put that face back on there ever again. He was still zoning out when his phone vibrated a couple times. He ignored it at first, thinking it was one of his family members asking him to do something for them. When it buzzed again he finally relented and looked at his phone. His heart began to race when he saw who it was.

Noelle - Hey Cole. It's Noelle.

Noelle - Duh, you probably know that now sorry

Noelle - Anyway, it was nice chatting with you and I was thinking Saturday afternoon would work best to visit the farm. Is that okay?

He took a moment to read and reread the texts with a smile on his face. She texted much sooner than he was expecting and he wanted to jump for joy or throw a fist in the air. Instead he took a deep breath and typed his message out.

Cole - Hello Noelle

He rolled his eyes at himself for how he probably sounded stupidly serious, but continued.

Cole - Saturday would be great! Thank you for taking the time to hear me out. And I apologize for the shenanigans.

He hated himself for his terrible texting persona, but he never was one to need to message anyone other than family, friends, or the people who worked for him. He didn't expect any more responses from her, but almost squealed with glee at the message that popped up.

Noelle - I forgive you this time, but let's not make it a habit okay? :) see you Saturday!

The smile on his face only grew. Saturday couldn't come soon enough.