The only thing to do was to ignore those five seconds in the kitchen and finish out the night on a friendly note. She would’ve hesitated to label Cole a friend before tonight, because that was muddying up the lines, and frankly, she didn’t know much of anything about him outside of job-related traits. But she liked him, respected him, wanted him to enjoy the rest of the evening. She hoped he could relax and unwind after enduring a family-filled formal affair that she was certain was way out of his comfort zone.

“Sierra?” Cole’s voice reached her from the kitchen, so she turned away from the mirror and her struggle to release the clasp of her necklace and opened the bathroom door, still fully dressed in the dark blue gown.

He sat on the end stool at the island, and it struck her again how well he wore that black suit. His tie was folded neatly on the counter in front of him, apparently retired for the evening, and the top couple of buttons of his white shirt were undone.

“Your phone’s exploding with texts,” he said. “I thought it might be something important.”

“Thanks.” She crossed the room to the island and took her phone out from her evening bag. “Two from Ivy, one from Violet, and one from my brother, wondering why we aren’t there yet,” she said.

She was about to reply when another text notification sounded. Not on her phone this time.

Cole pulled his phone out of his pocket. Read whatever was on the screen, stood abruptly, and went pale. Sierra stepped closer, studying his face.

“Is something wrong?” she asked.

He tapped his phone, unlocked it with his fingerprint, and she could see a long text message that filled the screen. He remained silent, reading, his distress climbing. His eyes widened, his fist covered his mouth, and his breathing seemed to stop.

“Cole?”

“It’s my mom,” he said, his voice sounding choked with uncharacteristic emotion. “Oh, hell, my mom.” He tightened his fist and squeezed his eyes closed. “She’s being rushed to the hospital. Possible heart attack.”

“Here in town?”

He swallowed, nodded. “I have to go.”

“I’ll take you.”

He shook his head distractedly. “You have a party to go to.”

“Cole, I’m taking you. My truck is out back. Yours is two long blocks away in the garage, and you don’t look like you should drive.” Without hesitation, she jammed her feet back into her heels. “Let’s go.”

She grabbed her purse and keys, pulled him out the door, locked it in a rush, and they hurried down the hall to the back.