Oh god. That was a comment I wanted erased from my mind.
“Well, this changes everything.” I sighed dramatically. “I feel as though everything was based on a lie.”
“I’m sorry,” Mia chuckled, her hand over her mouth. I smirked at her. She wasn’t sorry; she didn’t fool me for a second.
Jake snorted. “Dude, if you scored out of it, I’d say that makes you the winner.”
I shrugged. “Fair enough. I’ll take that.” I stood up and walked to the fridge, grabbing a beer each for Jake and me. I tossed him a can. “Good talk. I’ll be outside. Coming?” I asked Jake. He laughed and nodded.
“You think I’m going to sit around here and listen to these two? Fuck yeah, I’m coming.” Nic glared at him, and he shut his mouth abruptly.
“Daddy said a rude word!” Tully whispered loudly, her eyes wide as she stared accusingly at Jake.
“You tell him off,” replied Nic, ruffling her hair.
“I’m sorry. Daddy won’t use a bad word ever again,” he assured her. I chuckled and walked outside, leaving Jake to deal with his language problem.
Leaning against the balcony, I took in the view. It was stunning. The mountains in the background, the tall trees, the gray sky…it all tied in to create a perfect winter afternoon. Despite the beauty of the scenery before me, it was the beauty inside that was still occupying my mind.
“Lovely, isn’t it?” I turned to my left and saw Mia.
“Stunning,” I mumbled, my eyes on her.
She blushed and looked down.
“So I’m still in a little bit of shock that you’re here,” I added with a stupid grin on my face.
Very smooth, Coop.
“I’m glad I came. It’s great to see you again.” She paused, her lips parting into a smile. “You’ve definitely grown into your body.” Her gaze ran over me.
I laughed. “Are you saying I was a skinny teenager?” I teased.
“No. I mean yes—”
“It hurts me that you’d be so shallow,” I joked. “Next you’ll be telling me I was ugly. Go on, hurt a man while he’s down,” I chuckled.
She reached over and whacked me. “Stop twisting my words.” She grinned. “I was just saying you’ve definitely changed. In a good way.” Her eyes swept over me again, this time resting on my crotch. The way she was looking at me was enough to send a shiver down my spine.
“You haven’t changed much at all,” I said honestly. “You’re taller and older obviously, but you still have that dark, dark hair that curls at the end, and the deepest green eyes I’ve ever seen.”
She smiled and looked down again, her face flushing at my compliment.
“And those lips,” I sighed. “God, I used to dream about those lips every night.”
Did I just say that out loud?
The sliding door opened, and Jake joined us outside before she could reply. I wanted to hug the man for his timing. “Mia, Nic wants to know if you want a wine.”
Mia smiled. “I’ll go in.” She nodded, flashing me a smile, then headed back inside.
After she was gone, Jake let out a low whistle.
“That’s some serious sexual tension there, man. I hope you’re going to, uh, work that to your advantage?” He winked at me and I laughed.
As much fun as that would be, that was not the sort of complication my life needed at the moment. And besides, this weekend was all about no sex.
“I don’t think so, man. Women complicate life.”