Cole had settled on recycling the self-defense class excuse he'd used at work, even though he doubted Ileana would accept it as easily as everyone else had - besides, lying to her wasn't very appealing. Maybe he'd just try to pass it off vaguely or something.
He glanced up at the building idly, suddenly wondering if anyone was watching from one of the windows. The thought unsettled him and he quickly shook it off, telling himself he was being stupid. Of course no one would be that obsessed.
The sound of the front door opening caught his attention, and Cole turned towards Ileana with a smile. "Hi. You look--" Her sudden look of worry made him remember the black eye, and he shrugged. "Oh, that. It's nothing, really; just a little bruise." He gave her a mock-serious look. "Besides, who says I was the one who got my ass kicked?"