“What about it?” I bit out, rage already bubbling in my veins.
Cooper had come back into the apartment, and Levi laughed as he held him in his arms, whooshing him through the air like one of the action figures.
“Faster, Cooper! Faster!” Levi yelled at the top of his lungs.
“Can’t, buddy. My arm’s not up to it quite yet,” he reminded the young boy. “But soon, I promise.”
My stomach dropped, knowing Ethan must’ve heard the exchange.
He cleared his throat. “Who’s Cooper?” I could tell by his tone that he was holding himself back from blowing up at me.
“A friend,” I lied. “So, what about tomorrow?” I asked again, quickly redirecting him from the topic as guilt began to crowd my stomach.
“Right. Well, I’m going to be a little late picking him up tomorrow night, and I just wanted you to know.”
“And you had to call and tell me that?” I asked through an irritated sigh.
“I’m really trying here, Sam.” Ethan’s voice grew firm, but I just rolled my eyes.
“So what time should I be expecting you? I have plans.”
“You have plans?” The condescending jerk put emphasis on you because I wasn’t a woman that ever had plans outside of him, Levi, and work. I’d never gone out with the girls from work, and after having Levi, I’d lost touch with a lot of my friends from high school as they weren’t parents yet.
“Yes, I have plans.”
“With who?” I could hear the jealousy breaking through his teeth as the question slowly and firmly spilled from his mouth.
“Does it matter? What do you and what’s-her-face have planned with Levi tomorrow?” I tried to keep my tone hushed, tried not to raise my voice. I didn’t want Cooper to know I was having a spat with Ethan. But, most of all, I didn’t want Levi to hear a word of it.
“You’re right, it doesn’t matter. Sorry for asking.” Ethan’s voice was laced with thinly veiled hatred.
I ended the call, a small grin of satisfaction tugging at my lips. It seemed that the playing field between us had been levelled a bit, and I had to admit, I kind of liked the idea that it’d taken him completely by surprise.
He didn’t like any of it much, but I couldn’t decide which part Ethan disliked more—that I’d moved on, or that I’d risen from the ashes of what we’d once been, becoming someone he didn’t fully recognize.
***
The bright sun shone through the blinds of my bedroom, waking me. I turned to find Cooper sleeping soundly, the sunlight stretching across his bare chest, his dark hair a complete mess I wanted nothing more than to tangle my fingers in.
I’m in love with him.
The realization hit me with the force of a tsunami. This is the man I want to wake up to every morning.
Sneaking out of bed, I slipped into my fluffy pink slippers and threw my hair into a big, messy bun, then headed down the hallway toward the kitchen. I set up the coffee pot to brew, then sought out the box of pancake mix I knew I’d purchased, with every intention of cooking Cooper and Levi a decent breakfast while I enjoyed my first cup of the day.
Warm breath graced the nape of my neck, startling me, and Cooper’s fingertips traced down the bare skin of my throat, all the way to my arm, causing goosebumps to rise in its wake.
“Good morning, pretty lady. You’re up awfully early.” His voice was raspy from just waking up, and it did something to my insides.
I flipped one of the pancakes over, then turned to face him. He drank me in from head to toe, his gaze finally focusing on my eyes. I’d realized I was still in pajamas, hair tousled, no makeup, and had splatters of pancake mix on my t-shirt. I was a complete mess, yet the way he looked at me made me feel like I was dressed to the nines.
“Good morning to you, too. I know, I woke up before my alarm even went off.” I smiled coyly.
A moment of comfortable silence came over us, but Cooper’s face slowly shadowed into a more serious expression. “Can I ask you something?” His voice softened, but his gaze grew stronger.
“Isn’t that what you just did?” I winked, turning to face the stove again, afraid the pancakes would burn if I got distracted for much longer. And afraid of what he might say next.
“Cracking jokes at this early hour. And here, I thought you weren’t a morning person.” Cooper’s hand gripped my hips again and he nibbled at my sensitive earlobe, causing a soft giggle to escape me as I tilted my head, shooing him away.