Best I Ever Had

“Why are you apologizing, Cooper?” she asks, her eyes set on mine.

“Because I don’t know what to say to make this better.”

She scoots across the sofa and rests her hand on my knee. “You don’t have to make this better. I . . .” She shakes her head and exhales while looking between us. When her eyes lift to mine again, she says, “I’m the one who’s sorry. I’m standing here on higher moral ground that I have no right to be on. I think I’m just shocked . . .” Her eyes begin to plead with mine, matching her tone. “I’m shocked people live in such luxury, but . . .” She looks around. “I understand the appeal. I’ve felt like a princess here. You’ve spoiled me, Cooper. If you don’t dump me for being so rude, I promise never to judge where you have the good fortune to live again.”

She picks up my hand and brings it to her mouth, kissing the palm, then holding it tight between her hands.

“I don’t need an apology. I’m good, but I can’t change those things about me.”

“I don’t want you to. You wouldn’t be the man you are right now if you’d lived a different life.”

This time, I kiss her hand and the tips of each finger. Glancing at the food, I say, “It’s definitely going to be cold.”

She reaches for her plate. “I’m okay with that. I think this was a good conversation.”

Although I knew the reality of my family’s wealth would strike a nerve with her, this wasn’t as unpleasant of a conversation as I expected. “I do, too.” I take a bite, putting this behind us, but then stop before taking another to ask, “Is this how healthy relationships work?”

She balks. “How would I know?”

“We’re a fucked-up pair.”

Shrugging, she says, “At least we have each other.” She takes a drink of her juice.

At least we have each other.

When we’re finished eating, she gets up and rubs her hands together in front of the fire. “What time do we have to check out?”

“We have a late checkout and can stay until noon.”

“It’s going to be hard to leave here.” Her tone softens. “Thank you for booking this for us. It’s been really special.”

“You’re welcome.” A bird landing on the stone ledge outside the window has both of us turning.

Doing a quick bare-footed spin on her way over, she bends down to get a better look, but it flies away. She was doing this last night, looking outside like she couldn’t believe this was real. And each time, she smiled a little bigger.

Turning back to me, she says, “It snowed a lot last night. Do you know what that means?”

“No. What does that mean?” Joining her side, I look over her shoulder and out the window. Snow has covered every surface, and with the sun beginning to peek through the clouds, I need sunglasses.

“We might be stuck here for a few days.” She giggles, her happiness too big to contain. I’ll buy this hotel if it brings her this much joy.

“Do you want to stay?”

“Yes,” she replies, nodding. “But we should go. Our real lives await.” They do, and since I met her, I don’t hate reality so much anymore.

Time is ticking, so I try to act casual when I get dressed in my other clothes. “There’s one last dish on the tray.”

I spy her reaction out of the corners of my eyes. Story looks over after setting her coffee cup back on the table. “What is it?”

“I don’t know,” I mumble.

She walks over and lifts the silver dome. Motionless, she stares in confusion. Still holding the lid in the air, she asks, “What is this, Cooper?”

Glancing between the box on the plate and her a few times, I reply, “Looks like a new camera to me.” I slip a shoe on and then start on the other.

I give her a moment to digest what’s happening while I continue putting my shoes on. When I’m dressed, I walk over and stand next to her. “Are you going to touch it?”

She sets the lid down and takes the box in her hands. Wrapping it in her arms, she holds it to her stomach and looks up at me. “You can’t give this to me.”

“I already did.” Leaning down, I kiss her cheek. “Merry Christmas, baby.”

Tears spring to her eyes. “Oh my God, Cooper.” Holding the box with one arm, the other wraps around me. “This is the best present I’ve ever received. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you so much.” Then she lifts onto her toes and kisses me. “This means more to me than you’ll ever know.”

“I’ll know because you’re going to take amazing photos, and one day, you’ll be in that gallery like we talked about.”

“The one where we don’t know each other?” She laughs.