She’s right.
I have everything I could ever want.
All I need to do is take it.
18
Story
“You really don’t have to wait for me,” I say, backing out of the door with the key inserted in the lock.
Lou shivers. “Brrr. It’s okay. It’s okay. I’d rather you be safe.”
“I’m safe, Lou. I close up and walk home by myself all the time.” I click the bolt closed, pull the key from the lock, and then turn the knob to make sure the coffee shop is actually locked.
“Maybe you shouldn’t. There aren’t many people around. A lot could happen.”
Facing him, I shove the keys in the pocket of my coat. “I appreciate the concern.” Rocking back on my heels, I’m not sure how to wrap up a goodbye when it’s starting to feel like the end of a blind date. It’s Lou. I don’t owe him anything other than kindness, but I hate hurting his feelings. “Merry Christmas, Lou.”
“Merry Christmas, Story.”
I turn and start down the sidewalk with my head tucked down. The snow’s not been sticking, though I was dreaming of waking up to a white Christmas tomorrow.
My phone buzzes in my pocket, and I pull it out to check the text. Cooper. I smile, the action just a natural response every time I catch myself thinking about him. Thinking about him has become a pastime since school’s out, and he left for the holidays. For some reason, the thought of his return and us picking up where we left off doesn’t seem so out of reach anymore.
The photo of him sitting in a car makes me curious about where he’s going and what he’s doing. The text says: Didn’t mean to sneak up on you.
Referencing the film we once both saw together without knowing each other at the time, my stomach flutters with butterflies, and I type: Sometimes life does that.
A shiny black Jaguar blocks the alley I usually cut through, the silver animal emblem in launching position off the front of the car. The windows are tinted to Secret Service protection levels. It’s perfection that I don’t think I’ve ever been this close to before. I can only imagine the price tag.
As I approach, I start to debate what’s best to do. What’s my safest option because Lou has me feeling paranoid? It’s almost eleven. I closed later than I should have. But I had too many in the coffee shop needing a place to be on Christmas Eve to throw them out on the streets. I have nothing better to do at home anyway, so I appreciate the extra tips.
But do I walk to the end of the block or maneuver through the small gap left for me to pass? Do I want to cut through the alley at this hour?
My phone vibrates with another message: When you least expect it.
The passenger car window begins rolling down, causing me to stop in caution and take a step back. Shoving my hand back in my pocket, I position the keys between my fingers. I’m not above scratching the car or someone’s eyes out.
“Want a ride?” Cooper leans toward the open window, grinning wide.
I bounce on the balls of my feet, then run to the car. “What are you doing here?”
He pops the door open for me as the window rises back into place. I slip inside and shut the door quickly behind me. Throwing myself over the console, I practically squeeze the life from him. I’m so happy to see him. The best part—he hugs me just as tight. Peppering my head with kisses, he says, “I’d rather be with you than anywhere else in the world.”
Tears spring to my eyes. I don’t usually consider myself emotional, but he’s struck a chord that leads from his heart to mine. I sit back, grinning like a fool. “What about your family?”
“Well,” he starts, shifting the car into gear. “Let’s just say I had a revelation today.”
“Oh, yeah?” I pull my seat belt on. “What is that?”
Keeping his foot on the brake, he looks me in the eyes. “I’m taking a chance on telling you this, but it’s how I feel. You’re all that I want. I want to be with you, Story. I want to wake up next to you in the morning, have coffee in bed, and just spend the day with you.” Reaching over, he takes my hand and kisses my frozen fingers. I slowly melt into a puddle of swoons when he adds, “Unless you have other plans?”
Laughter bursts my heavier emotions as the tears fall from my eyes. “I do now.”
He releases the brake and slowly pulls out onto the street, hooking a left. I’m so overwhelmed that he wants to be with me that I almost failed to notice his car. While we hold hands over the console, I run my other fingers across the soft tan leather on the door. I’ve rarely seen a car this nice. Riding in one is a first.