July 2008
Cole took a pull from the bottle in his hand and glanced across the yard at Delilah. She was breathtaking in the light pink sundress. She had pulled her long dark hair back into a ponytail trying to get some relief from the summer heat. They had been seeing each other for a few months and he knew he had it bad. They hadn't slept together but God knew he wanted her. He was trying to be patient and give her time after what she had been through. He wasn't going to force anything on her. She looked over and caught his eye. She flashed him a smile which caused his heart to skip a beat.

"You have it bad, bro." Joel spoke from beside him. Cole turned to look at his guitar lead. "Huh?"

"You just went gooey eyed when she smiled at you. You've got it bad." He laughed.

"She's... different, J. It's different with her. It's easy."

"You don't have to tell me. She's awesome. You know we love Lila. She's like our little sister."

"I know. But to me...she's so much more than a girl I'm dating.  Her nephew worships her and she adores him. She's good with him. Hell, she's good with me." He laughed. "There's just something about how her smile can just make my day. I can't wait to hear her voice in the morning. I hate bein away from her. When we are apart it's like somethin's missin. It's never happened before. Not with anyone."

"You know what it is, Cole. You just have to admit it. And from the way she looks at you.... She feels the same way." Joel nudged him.

Cole nodded as the woman in question headed towards them. "I'm gonna go see what Chris is into."

Delilah smiled again as she approached him. "Hi."

"Hi yourself." He smiled back.

"Where'd Joel go off too?"

"To see what Chris was doin..."

"Oh."

"You look beautiful, Lils. And this party."

"Thank you. And it's my pleasure. I just hope he likes it."

"From what I hear you're his hero by pullin this off." He grinned.

"Hey Caroline did most of the work. All I did was decorations."

Cole took another pull from his beer. "You made him happy."

"I love him so it was easy." She shrugged.

Cole nodded and tossed his empty beer bottle into the trash. "I'm gonna get another beer. You wanna come with me? You look like you could use a drink."

"Sure." She followed him into the barn where they were keeping all the food cool. Cole opened the fridge and pulled out two Miller Lights. He opened them both before setting them on the bar.

Delilah swallowed hard. Her heart was pounding. It was the first time they had been alone in three weeks. He had been on the road and she was busy planning her brother's birthday party.

He smiled. "You ok?"

"Yes. It's just really hot."

"It's July in Nashville..." He teased.

"I know that..." She laughed.

"God, I love hearing you laugh." He stepped closer to her. She licked her lips. She knew what was coming. He was about to kiss her.

"I've missed you." He whispered placing his hands on her hips.

"I've missed you too." She replied.

A few seconds later he lifted his head and smiled. "You make my heart race, Lila." He said softly.

"I know what you mean." She blushed.

"Why are you blushin, darlin? We're consenting adults. All we did was kiss. We are datin..." He teased.

"Because this.... It's so easy with you, Cole. It's never felt like this before." She admitted.

"I know. We need to talk about..."

Just then Caroline walked into the barn. "I must be in the wrong place... they two of you look guilty..." She teased.

"Did you need something, Car?" Delilah spoke blushing.

"Oh yea. You want to bring out the trays."

"Ok. I'm on it." Delilah stepped out of Cole embrace. "We can talk later." She smiled at him.

"Ok."

Delilah picked up a party tray. "Can you grab that one please?"

She plastered a smile on her face as she carried the tray out to the table. Lacy looked at her. "You ok, Lils?"

"Fine, why?"

"You look like you are about to cry."

"Oh it's just too hot." She laughed brightly.

"Ok...if you need to talk I'm here." Lacy smiled.

"Thanks."

For the rest of the party Delilah managed to keep her distance from Cole. She knew he was going to end things with her. She was taking things way too slow for him. After the party she helped Caroline clean up and managed to escape before Cole could corner her.

She had just walked through her door and poured a glass of wine when there was a knock on the door. The sun was setting and she didn't bother to look out the side window. She opened the door to see Cole standing on her porch. He didn't look happy.

"Cole..."

"We need to talk."

"Yea we do. Come on in." She stepped aside and let him into the living room.

He turned and faced her as she closed the door. He pulled her against him and crushed his mouth to hers. She closed her eyes and let herself drown in him one more time. Tears rushed to her eyes. She knew he was about to end it.

When he lifted his head he saw the tears falling down her face. "Baby, why are you cryin?"

"Because I know you're about to end this. It's ok. I knew it would happen sooner or later." She whispered.

Cole swallowed hard. "Lila..."

"No really it's ok, Cole. I.... I'm not givin you what you need and you have been more than patient with me. I just hope we can still at least be friends." The words rushed out.

He smiled and shook his head. He took her hand and placed it on his chest. She could feel his heart racing. "I'm not here to end it, Li. I promise that. And I will wait as long as you need me to. Do you feel my heart?"

"Yes."

"You are the only woman who can make my heart race like this. You're amazin, Delilah Bryan. You and I...what we have it's easy and it's never been that way before. Not with anyone.  When we're apart it feels like somethins missin. I hate bein away from you. Even for a couple of days. I can't wait to hear your voice or your laugh. You are the most beautiful woman I have ever laid eyes on. You are smart, caring, funny, sweet and you drive me completely insane at times but there isn't anyone else I would rather spend my time with."

"Cole..."

"Let me finish." He smiled. "I am completely in love with you. You are the best thing that has happened to me in a while. So no sweetheart, I'm not here to end things. Quite the opposite actually." He kissed her again.

Delilah wrapped her arms around his neck and let him deepen the kiss. She pressed herself against him. When he lifted his head this time she smiled. "I love you too, Cole. I love you too."

"Come on the road with me. Just for a little while. I can't stand bein away from you." He kissed her fingers.

"Ok." She whispered.

"Good. We leave in three days. So you need to get packin. I actually have something I need to do so I have to go. I'll call you later ok?" He kissed her again.

"K."

He walked towards the door.  "I love you."

"I love you too." She smiled.