“Good.”
When she steps into the backyard, Lou says, “She’s harmless, but I’m not.”
It’s hard to imagine Lou getting in a fight, but what do I know anymore? “All right.” This must be the fun Story spoke about.
“Beers in the fridge; the bar’s over there.” He starts laughing and then joins Lila in the back.
“How do I look?”
I turn to see Story coming down the stairs—her long hair held high in a ponytail on the crown of her head, fitted jeans, and little white sneakers. Her makeup is light, but she never needed that anyway. “Incredible.”
“Oh.” She looks up when she hits the landing. “Cooper, I didn’t know you were here.”
“Only for a few minutes.”
We both spot it at the same time. Pointing at each other’s tees, we start laughing. She plucks hers away from her chest. “I guess being around you made me sentimental.”
With our matching Atterton University T-shirts on, I say, “Great minds think alike.”
“And go to the same college.”
“That too.” As the laughter simmers, I say, “Thank you for having me over.”
“Yeah, I’m glad you were available since it’s so last minute. I just wanted to make sure Reed was in a good place because I know he’s going to be busy running around all day.”
Glancing out back again, I tuck my hands in my pockets. “Looks like he’s doing well.”
She looks up from the island and smiles when she sees him. “He has a lot of pent-up energy from sitting around all week.”
“I bet.” I rock back on my heels. “I’ll let you lead.”
Her smile is so natural like her beauty that it’s almost too much for me to take in, knowing she’s not mine to kiss. “Thank you.” She grabs a bottle of water. “I’m having water. What can I get you?”
“Same.”
When she reaches for another, she sees the flowers. I jump over and pick them up. “I brought these for you. Not sure why, but they reminded me of you.” It was a stab in the dark, so I hope she likes them.
“That was very sweet, Cooper.” She takes the bouquet and holds them to her nose. “Thank you. Peonies are my favorite. I’ll put them in water when Lila comes in.” After setting them down, she walks to the back door, and asks, “Ready to meet Reed?”
Despite my nerves, the only answer for me is, “Yes.”
Story holds her hand out for me and waits at the door. I didn’t expect the added perk, but I’ll happily accept it. Carrying our bottles in one hand and holding each other with our formerly free hand, we walk outside together as a united front.
Lila and Lou are sitting at the outdoor table on the patio while the boys still run around in the yard. When we walk down the steps and onto the grass, Lila calls Jake to come help her. I think that’s the signal for Story because she releases me and calls out to our son. “Reed, come here. I want you to meet someone.”
The boys look annoyed that their game of chase must end, but both do as they’re told and head to their respective parents.
Full of sass with the hand of his broken arm anchored on his hip, I’ve seen that before somewhere. I glance at Story and grin.
“Mommy, I’m it, and I don’t want to be it anymore.”
“Sorry,” she says, “that’s how the game is played. You either play by the rules, or you don’t.”
“I can make my own rules.”
“Yes, you can do that as well. Hey, buddy, I wanted to introduce you to a friend of mine. Remember how I mentioned Cooper would be coming by today?”
“I member.” He’s not quite smiling at me and a lot suspicious. I work with kids every day, but you have to learn their angle, what they like to play, or what they’re into. But somehow, I already feel like I’m failing when it comes to my own kid.
I kneel to talk one-on-one with him and hold out my hand. “Cooper Haywood, it’s very nice to meet you.”
Reed takes my hand and looks me right in the eyes. “Nice to meet you.” He glances at Story for approval.
She rubs his head and nods. “You did good.”
Feeling pleased with himself, he says, “Are you staying for burgers, Cooper?”
I might be setting myself up, but I sure hope not. “Would you like me to?”
When he nods, it’s so tempting to hug him, to tell him you’re mine, kid, and I’m yours. We’re stuck together now. But that will have to wait for a few more meetings.
Over the past hour, this has gone better than I imagined. He’s not only receptive to me being here with his mom and him, but he has come over to talk to me several times on his own. I’ve just taken a sip of water when he sits down in a chair next to me, and says, “I saw you at the park last week before I broke my arm.”