“Really?” both men ask me at the same time.
“I thought it was going to be more difficult to convince you than that,” says Drew.
“Yeah…me too.” I don’t know what to make of Cooper’s expression, but I do know the watch wrapped around his wrist is somehow the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen. His skin is so tan the blond hairs on his arms stand out, and hunter green is definitely his color. When his strong jaw twitches like it is now, I want to sit in his lap and trail kisses all the way down his neck.
And now I’m staring…
I swallow and clear my throat. “Well, call me crazy, but I thought it might be fun to see if there are single men out there who won’t need my sweater in restaurants.”
Drew’s eyes light up, and he points at me. “So you admit it! Tim was annoying.”
I roll my eyes. “Gloating doesn’t look good on you.”
“Gosh, you should have met this guy,” Drew says to Cooper. “He was the worst. So particular about everything. Like when the hostess sat us by the kitchen, he made us move because—”
“Okay!” I cut in. “This is not going to turn into a night of pointing out how ridiculous Lucy’s ex-boyfriend was, thank you very much.” My face is flaming because I can’t stand the thought of Cooper knowing I’ve never been able to snag a good guy, knowing the good catches never seem to want to come anywhere near me.
I wasn’t even Brent’s first choice the night he turned me into a mom. The place was dimly lit, he was bored, and I was one of the few single females there. I’m pretty sure he still only talks to me when he’s bored and there are no other women nearby to pay attention to. That’s the only reason I can think of to explain why he would think it’s acceptable to break plans with me at the last second, saying something came up, but then hours later, on Instagram, post pictures of his date making a stupid flirty face at the camera.
Really, Brent? You didn’t even have the decency to try to hide it from me that you were canceling on me for another woman?
But it’s not like I ever thought any time he and I spent together would constitute a date—I know better than that. He made it clear I wasn’t his type from day one, but I think a very sad, pathetic part of me always hoped I could weasel my way into his heart and change his mind if he ever gave me the chance. Not anymore, though. I’m blissfully over him, out from under his spell. Even so, I do think all those years of pining after a man who didn’t want me back scarred me in a deeper way than I realized at the time. Because now, no matter how hard I try to believe in myself, there’s still a voice that whispers, You don’t have anything to offer.
Drew bumps my knee with his and tries to catch my eye like he knows exactly where my mind went and is trying to pull me out of it. “Don’t worry. We’ll find you a good guy, Lucy. One who actually gives you his jacket for a change.”
“I’m skeptical such an incredible hero exists.” I laugh lightheartedly, but it promptly dies out when my eyes lock with Cooper’s.
Cyan blue mixed with his stern expression hits me like a tidal wave, and I’m momentarily knocked breathless. He makes no move to look away or soften his features. Instead, I get the feeling he’s trying to tell me something without words. My skin prickles, and each of my nerve endings urges me to pay attention. I can’t, though, because Drew is here, and he’s going on and on about potential men he works with and a guy he plays basketball with, and I just really want to duct-tape his mouth and push him out of the room so I can explore what Cooper’s gaze is communicating.
After a few very intense moments, Cooper’s mouth softens ever so slightly into a crooked grin, and his eyes fall down to the water glass in his hand. The charged moment tears in two, and Drew’s voice seeps back into my consciousness.
“…so you’re good with me giving him your number?”
I blink a few times and take in a breath like I’ve just surfaced from the depths of the
ocean. “Oh. Yeah. That’s okay with me.”
Cooper: You still up?
Lucy: Isn’t this how every single booty call starts?
Lucy: Ha ha.
Lucy: Can you just forget I said that please? I know this isn’t a booty call.
Lucy: What I mean is, YEP, I’m up.
Cooper: Come outside. Don’t let Drew hear you.
Lucy: What? Why?
Cooper: Just do it.
Lucy: What are you? Nike? Tell me why. This feels like a prank.
Cooper: Did you have really traumatic teen years or something?
Lucy: I’d rather not answer that question.