The doorbell rings just as I'm finishing applying the bubblegum-pink lipgloss to my lips. Satisfied that I don't look like a massive wreck, I make my way down the stairs and open the door.

Cole is standing there looking more handsome than ever and my stomach clenches.

"Hey," he says, dark curls blowing into his eyes with the breeze.

"Why don't you come on in? It's a bit chilly out." I step aside to let him pass but he's shaking his head and I look back at him, confused.

"Can we go for a drive?" He asks.

"Ok," I say and he smiles.

Cole doesn't say anything until we're several blocks away from the house. "I'm sorry I brought it up again, I shouldn't have, and I'm sorry."

"You should be." I instantly regret saying that.

He frowns. "I'm trying to have a serious conversation here."

"I know. I'm sorry. It's just I'm upset and I believe I have the right to be."

"We're both upset," he states.

"I know and I want to fix that."

"Me too."

Our eyes meet and he gives me a soft smile. "Can you please accept my apology?"

"Yes," I say, "but can we agree not to bring up this topic again? Not until Emma is better."

His eyes are now on the road before us. "If that's what you want, then yes."

"Thank you." I place my hand on his knee and I can feel his body relax under my palm. "Now we should head back. I have something cooking in the oven and the timer should be going off soon."

"Oof yeah, we better get back before you burn the house down!"

I roll my eyes at him. "I'll be burning no house down. Now drive!"

Cole turns the car back around and we make it just as the oven's timer goes off.

I take the oven mitts and remove the pan, placing it in the warming drawer for later.

"Would you like to join us for dinner?" I ask Cole, who is rummaging through the fridge.

He peeks over at me. "What are you serving?"

"Good food."

He chuckles. "I'm sure. But what?"

"Eggplant parmesan and grilled vegetables."

"That does sound good. Since when did you learn how to cook like this?"

"It's a secret," I smirk as I begin to wash the few dishes in the sink.

"Mhm." I hear the fridge close softly and then his footsteps. Next comes his arms around my waist.

I lean back into him. I love how my body molds to his. He's a good head taller than me and the back of my head is up against his chest.

He holds me like this as I finish the dishes and place them onto the drying rack.

He then spins me around in his arms to face him and kisses me softly.

"I love you so much," he says.

"Ditto." I smile.

"I really don't like us fighting."

"Ditto," I say again and he laughs.

That's when the doorbell rings.

"Expecting anyone?" Cole asks.

"No. Wait here."

I walk out of the room and past the dining room and living room to the front door. Putting my eye to the peephole, I see Stella, one of Emma's teammates and best friends standing there.

I unlock the door and it creaks open.

"Hi," I say.

"Oh hey. Is Emma home?" Stella flashes me her pearly whites as she bounces on the balls of her feet. She's always been super energetic.

"Yeah, come on in." I lock the door behind her and then call up the stairs. "Emma, Stella's here."

A moment later, I hear her calling out. "Coming."

I walk into the living room and being the nosy older sister that I am, I eavesdrop.

"Hey," Emma says. "I didn't know you were coming over."

"Yeah sorry. I was going to text you but my phone died."

How convenient?

"What's up?" I can hear in Emma's voice that she's tired and doesn't have much patience with entertaining a guest.

"Oh um, you left school early before the team meeting and I figured you'd want to wash your jersey before the next game. So uh here."

It's nice to see that Emma's friends care and are there for her. I've always liked Stella. She's a bouncing ball of positive energy.

"Thank you. I appreciate that."

"So um, have you not been feeling well or something?"

I guess Emma hasn't been that honest with her friends about what's going on. Why is that?

"Yeah, I haven't been feeling myself lately."

"Oh, is everything ok?"

"Yeah." Emma doesn't elaborate. "I think we're having dinner now. I'll see you in school. Thanks again for bringing me my stuff."

"No problem. Feel better."

Once Stella leaves, I step out from my hiding spot.

"Were you eavesdropping?" Emma looks upset.

I shrug. "Do your friends not know that you're sick?"

She winces as if I slapped her. Oof I worded that badly, didn't I?

"They know a little bit and that's good enough for me."

"It seems like Stella didn't know anything."

Emma's eyes go dark. "And why is that any of your business? I'm the one with cancer and who has to break it to my friends."

"I know. I'm sorry." I should've kept my big mouth shut. "I understand that it must be difficult for you, but it's good to be open and let your friends be there for you."

"Thank you, therapist I didn't ask for, I'll keep that in mind."

I flinch. "Um dinner's ready."

"I'm not hungry." And with that, Emma stomps back upstairs and slams her bedroom door shut.

That didn't go as I planned.

"Everything ok?"

I jump, my eyes landing on Cole. I forgot he was here.

The tears that I've been trying so hard to hold back, break free.

"Come here," Cole says, pulling me into his arms.

"Emma hates me," I sniff, my head pressed against his chest.

"Why would you say that?"

"Because it's true. As hard as I try to be there for her, she just wants me gone."

"Maybe she's hurting?"

"I know she's hurting! And I'm trying to help her but she won't let me."

"Some people just have a hard time accepting help. You tried your best, don't hurt yourself over it."

I wipe my nose. "I just wish things were the way they used to be and that Emma never got sick."

"I'm sure Emma is wishing for that too."

I lean my head back, meeting Cole's eyes. "What would I do without you?"

"We wouldn't know since I'm never going to let you be without me," he says, bending down to kiss me.

I sense that there's more he wants to say, but he doesn't, and I can't help but wonder if he's once more thinking of me moving in with him.

I know that he wants me to be there with him always, living in the same space as a married couple would. But now is not the time. And he's finally starting to understand that. I hope.

"I have to go," he says.

"You're not staying for dinner in the end?"

"I wish I could but my mom texted me that she needs my help with building something."

Cole has always been the handy one in his family.

"Go, I'll see you around." I step away from him.

"I love you," he says with a smile.

"Not as much as I love you," I finish.

He leaves, the door softly closing behind him.

I look up the stairs to see Emma standing there. Her eyes lock on mine with defiance and I can see in their dephs the anger lingering there.

"Now who's the one eavesdropping." I give her a small smile. She doesn't return one. Instead, she spins on her heels and heads back to her bedroom, slamming the door shut behind her, again.

Now isn't that just great?