Harper

“Cole?” I call out, dropping my bag on the floor and closing the heavy wooden door of the lakeside cabin behind me. The sound echoes slightly through the open living space filled with the scent of pine.

I’m met with silence, and I frown. His truck was in the driveway, so I knew he should be home. I yell his name again and make my way upstairs, the steps creaking softly beneath my feet.

The shower is running when I reach his room, and I pause. I didn’t want to wait until he was done to ask, but I also didn’t want to just grab the money from his...