The Off Limits Rule (It Happened in Nashville 1)

Maybe she’s right. Actually, no, I know she’s right. There’s something there between Cooper and me, and it’s time to uncover what it is. And even if not, what’s a little more humiliation?

In the next moment, Levi barrels into the room and throws his arms around my neck. “Hi, buddy! I missed you!” I smash my lips into his chubby cheeks before he can wiggle away.

“Mom! Grammy got me a new kite!” He’s jumping up and down and doing one of those toddler dances that’s more wiggle and fist pumping than actual dancing. “Can we take it to the park?”

For us, Mondays are like a weekend. Saturday is one of the busiest days at the salon, so I’m always working, but Mondays are for me and Levi. “Yes! Let’s do it. And we can stop for donuts on the way.” His jaw drops. I am a superhero in his eyes now. “But I need Grammy to come too and sit with you in the car while I make a quick pit stop.”

I look at my mom and smirk, because Operation Rip the Blindfold Off is about to go down.

I’m in Cooper’s office building, and I’m completely freaking out. One quick Google search of Hampton Creative and Cooper James, and I easily found the address, helpful parking directions, and what floor he works on. Now, standing in the elevator as it carries me up to the third floor, I feel like I’m going to faint. You’d think I was on one of those hellevator rides that suddenly drops out from under you by the way my stomach is twisting and contorting.

My mom is hanging out in the car with Levi, both sugaring themselves up on donuts, and I’m about to deliver myself on a silver platter to a man who very possibly doesn’t want the meal I’m offering. Right before the elevator dings its arrival, I consider mashing the emergency button and bringing this whole bad idea to a halt.

The doors open, and I swallow, adjusting the box of donuts I brought for Cooper under my arm. These aren’t a kind offering, if that’s what you’re thinking. My plan if he rejects me is to open the box and rain donuts down on his head as a distraction tactic while I make a break for the exit.

Oh my gosh, this office is gorgeous. I feel like I accidentally went up too many floors and rose all the way into heaven. Everything is white and sparkly and modern, with floor-to-ceiling windows and a gorgeous, expansive view of the city.

“Can I help you?” asks a kind-looking young woman, who I think looks like her name would be Olivia or Heather, from behind the reception desk, and suddenly it’s too real. What am I doing here?

I step forward. “Any chance I’m in the wrong building and Cooper James doesn’t actually work here?”

She beams too brightly for my anxious state. “No, you have the right place!” She’s reaching for her phone. “I’ll call him and tell him you’re here to see him. What’s your—” She pauses with wide eyes when I reach across the counter, grab the phone, and slam it down on the hook. She is just as frightened by my actions as I am.

“I am so sorry,” I say quickly. “I didn’t plan to do that. It just happened. Please don’t call security. Truth is, I’m about to go declare my feelings for Cooper, and my nerves are just a tiny bit on edge.”

Her mouth opens in sort of an awestruck way, and she shakes her head. I think she’s about to push a secret button under her desk to call the police when her hand juts out and takes hold of mine. “That man is so gorgeous.” She presses her lips together and gives me a head nod of solidarity. “I wish you the best of luck.”

“Thank you,” I whisper, like we’re two soldiers in opposing armies who just formed a friendship on the battlefield and declared a private truce. I set the donut box on the counter and lift the lid. “You get a donut because you’re the most understanding human I’ve ever met.”

She wiggles her fingers over the sugary selection and finally plucks a chocolate sprinkle. It’s a solid choice and only confirms my suspicion that we would be great friends.

“Are you ready?” She asks it like she’s about to undo the latch on an aircraft and push me out.

I take in a slow, deep breath and nod. “Let’s do this, Olivia.”

“My name is Ashley.”

Have you ever had one of those experiences where your life flashes before your eyes and

you see all the exact moments you would do over and the ones you’d never change? That’s happening to me now as Ashley lays a brief knock on Cooper’s office door. We hear “Come in” then the montage starts rolling in my mind.

I see myself in my earlier twenties, feeling lonely, watching all my friends coupling up and getting married, and me, still working my butt off in a salon and spending my days off reading. Then, I get invited to a pretty crazy birthday party at a friend’s house. Brent catches my eye from across the room, and I feel a spark. He’s the cool guy, should probably be wearing sunglasses and a leather jacket, but instead, he’s in a t-shirt and jeans. He raises his glass to me, and I look behind me because I’m not sure it’s directed at me. He comes over and flirts like I’ve never experienced firsthand. I’m completely swept up in him and his dark mysterious eyes and feel ready to dash off to Vegas. He doesn’t want to go to Vegas; he wants to go back to my place. We do. We sleep together, and there’s no cuddling. He zips up and takes off without leaving his number, completely over me. Done.

Six weeks later, I’m holding a little stick that says Congrats, you’re a mom! and I don’t even know the phone number of my future child’s father. I search his name on Facebook and message him. He doesn’t reply for several days, so I panic and send him the words I’M FREAKING PREGNANT. CALL ME.

He does. Makes it clear that he’ll help with the child but doesn’t want a relationship with me. I have false hopes, though. Over the next nine months, they get crushed, and reality sets in as Brent goes out with woman after woman, and I’m stuck getting fat and swollen alone on my couch.

The next memory is me crying on the bathroom floor while my brother holds me. I’m sure I’ve ruined my life and I’ll never be happy again, but he quietly reassures me I will.

And then, my mom is holding my hand while the nurse puts a baby in the crook of my arm, and I sigh a breath of relief because everything the books on parenting say is true. I love this little squishball more than anything. He’s worth it all.

More memories of Christmases where I should feel lonely, but I don’t because Levi and I are making cookies with Uncle Drew and decorating the tree with my mom and dad. There’s a vague nagging feeling that says someone is missing, but it’s not crippling.

I remember all of this as the door opens to Cooper’s office, and I realize if I was strong enough to get through all of that, I can face the world’s hottest man and tell him I’m crazy about him without throwing up on his feet. I hope.

Ashley steps out of the way and lets me walk past her into the office. She winks as she closes the door, and now I’m alone—shut inside a lion’s den.

“Lucy,” Cooper says in a happy tone from behind his desk. He closes his laptop and stands, and I’m momentarily stunned because I thought Boat Cooper, Car Mechanic Cooper, and Park Day Cooper were all attractive, but Bossman Cooper is so sexy I think my legs are going to give out.