Question K

[Jonetta]

Cole’s behavior toward Imogen is often cruel. Is there that proverbial thin line between love and hate? Did he, on some deeper level, have an attraction to Imogen from the start?

[Robin]

He was definitely attracted to Imogene from the beginning. I loved some of his cutting remarks when he was watching her paint in her garden. He was fascinated by her behavior, but trying to convince himself it was because he thought she took advantage of his friend. He just had to get to know her to see the real person.

[Anita]

I agree, he was fascinated from the beginning. He viewed her as a gold digger, but was drawn to her anyway

[Jonetta]

I firmly believe Imogen connected with Cole on a subconscious level. The qualities that appealed to him in Ginny were there in Imogen. His anger at her was really with himself for “betraying” his devotion to Ginny. He just didn’t understand it. Yes, that hate was masking his real attraction, IMHO.

[Robin]

I think you nailed it, Jonetta. He was angry at himself for his feelings for Imogene while he was still searching for Ginny.

[Jonetta]

I had an aha moment when this occurred to me.

[Karen ♐]

You definitely stated it perfectly, Jonetta. Couldn’t agree more.

[Lauren]

Cole was taking out his frustrations on Imogen. He felt guilty for being attracted to her despite his initial suspicions of her character and the fact that she did not live up to his negative perceptions of her only made this worse.

Their arguments are one of the highlights of the book though.

[Jonetta]

She was winning all the arguments.

[Lauren]

Jonetta wrote: "She was winning all the arguments."

She was!