“You’re a lifesaver. Seriously, thank you. I just got this promotion, and I—” Realizing that I was hugging him, I awkwardly pulled away. His scent, however, had reached my nostrils, and I inhaled him deeply.
Sandalwood.
Thank goodness he didn’t smell like musk. That’s what Ethan smelled like, and if he’d smelled like him I probably would have gotten sick and made this situation even more awkward than it already was.
Cooper laughed. Without realizing it, my eyes fixed on his plump lips and sharp, steel-cut jaw. Quickly glancing up into his icy blue eyes, butterflies fluttered in my belly. I’d had so many words to say moments ago, but now I was at a loss for them.
“It’s no problem, really. I’m looking forward to spending the day with the little man. Any specific routine he’s on? Naps? Eating? Hopefully he’s not in diapers. If so, I may take back the offer,” Cooper advised playfully.
I laughed, shaking my head. “Nope, no diapers. He’ll need breakfast at eight, which is in about thirty minutes. Lunch is usually at noon, and then he usually takes a nap around one. I haven’t had time to go to the store yet, so we only have a few things.”
“I grew up with siblings, Samantha, and he might be young, but I’ve got a little guy of my own. Trust me, I think we’ll manage okay.” Cooper grinned. “I’ve got to grab a couple things and I’ll be right over.”
“Okay,” I nodded. “Sounds good.” I turned away from him first, wringing my hands as I ducked back into the apartment. I scrambled to get something to write on, scrawling my cell number on an old receipt, just in case of any emergencies.
A knock on the door a few minutes later made my stomach clench, nervous. I scurried to open the door, hollering for Levi. “Come here, pal!”
The little boy bolted down the hallway from his bedroom and into the living room just as I opened the door for Cooper.
“Who’s here, Mommy? Is it Daddy?” The excitement in his voice crushed me to the core, and I hated that I had to tell him his daddy canceled again. “Oh...” Levi’s face turned down in disappointment at the sight of Cooper, and I knelt before him, placing my hands on his shoulders.
“Daddy had to work today, but Cooper—you remember him from yesterday, right?—he’s going to hang out with you today, okay? You guys can play cars and superheroes!” As soon as I mentioned superheroes, his face lit up.
“Okay! Come on, Cooper!” Levi reached out for Cooper’s hand, intent on heading toward his room.
“One sec, little man!” Cooper said wryly. “Want to give your mommy a hug goodbye first?”
Little giggles filled the air as Levi ran back toward me with his arms opened wide. His lips puckered up dramatically as he kissed my cheek. “I love you, Mommy!”
I ran my fingers through his messy head of curls. “I love you, too, buddy! You be good for Cooper, okay?”
“I will!” He grinned wide, showing off his gapped teeth. I felt slightly more at ease leaving him with Cooper since he was so excited about it, and he seemed surprisingly comfortable with him being there. “Okay, now, come on!” Levi tugged at the man’s hand again, pulling him toward the hallway that led to his room.
“I’ll be there in just a second, I promise.” Cooper’s face beamed with joy. Focusing his gaze back on me, he smiled.
I handed him the receipt with my number on it. “Here’s my cell number.”
Cooper arched his brow at me and smirked.
“In case of emergencies,” I blurted as an afterthought.
“I’ll make sure I don’t start a fire or anything.”
My eyes widened and then I narrowed them at him, giving him a playful glare. “Not funny. That little boy is my life, and if you do anything to harm him, I’ll kill you.”
Cooper’s hands shot up in surrender. “You’ve got nothing to worry about, I swear.” His tone had changed, as did the look in his eyes, and there was a sparkle of sorts in them. His voice was low, but reassuring.
“Thank you,” I said quietly, the words barely slipping from my lips. “But I do mean it.” My eyes were transfixed on his, and after a moment of gazing into them, I felt a little weak in the knees. “I...uh...I should go. Call me or text me if you need anything.” I grabbed my keys and purse from the kitchen table, still unable to believe I was agreeing to this. I would be calling the superintendent about that background check, despite knowing that Cooper would undoubtedly find out since the superintendent would surely call him for permission before releasing it. But Cooper was a father, so he had to understand how hard this was.
“Will do,” he said with a nod, slowly passing me to head toward Levi’s room.
I watched him disappear down the hall, and Levi’s voice carried from the room a few seconds later. “Which superhero are you?”
The question made me grin as I opened the door, but it resonated within me on a different level, too.
Yes, Cooper Henley, which superhero are you? Was this purely some chivalrous plight to save a damsel in distress? Or was there another motive for my new neighbor’s actions?
Friend or foe, which is it? I took one last glance around the apartment—mentally taking inventory of what little I?