But Coop listens. He asks questions. He responds to Todd in a way that makes me think he’s actually engaged in the conversation. I can’t imagine how he does it, considering the efforts he’s making to breathe in a way that stirs the tiny hairs on my neck. It takes all of my focus not to melt along with the gelato served during dessert.
“So how long have you two known each other,” Todd asks me through his horn-rimmed glasses.
I sit up straighter, ignoring the feeling of Coop’s finger brushing my neck. “Uh, just this week.”
“Really?” Todd asks. “I assumed you guys must be old friends. You’re so comfortable with each other.”
“Comfortable?” Coop laughs. “You were in the same meeting we were, Todd. She hates me. And because I’m me, I can’t stop teasing her about it.”
“Hate is alittlestrong,” I say. “Barely tolerate is more accurate.”
Todd laughs. “Then maybe I shouldn’t invite you guys to the escape room if you and Liesel can’t stand each other.”
Coop perks up. “Escape room?” He meets my eye, and I give him a death glare I hope Todd can’t see. “We’d love to!”
“Awesome!” Todd says. “It’s a team builder for the data scientists and engineers. Sorry we didn’t include the analytics managers, Liesel,” he says with a splotchy flush.
“That’s fine,” I say. “I don’t know if I should?—”
“She’s joking,” Coop says, and I grind my heel into his fancy Italian shoe. I see him wince from the corner of my eye, but instead of backing away, he only leans closer. He moves hisarm from the back of my chair to my shoulders and shakes me like we’re old buddies. “Liesel is a logic puzzle genius. A lady in the streets, and a geek in the spreadsheets, if you know what I mean.”
I.
Hate.
Him.
Todd laughs harder at this than it deserves, but then, it’s not often you get to invite one of your heroes to hang out and he says yes. Todd gets a pass.
Coop doesn’t.
“Okay, sounds fun!” I say. “But can we make sure no one posts about it on social media?” I ask.
Todd looks at me like I’m crazy. “We’re doing a team builder with Cooper Kellogg. Of course we’ll post this on social media!”
“So will I!” Coop says, laughing along with Todd.
I smile and don’t move my lips when I say, “I’m going to kill you,” in Coop’s ear.
He mutters softly, “I can’t wait.”
An hour later, we’ve changed into casual clothes and the “party bus” Todd booked has dropped us off at the escape room, along with his team.
Coop looks irritatingly handsome in dark gray joggers, his gray baseball cap, and a baby blue Firebirds zip up hoodie that I’ve never seen before but want with my whole soul.
I love oversized sweatshirts. I grew up taking my brothers’ clothes all the time, and I’d spray them with enough perfume that they’d get too grossed out and would never take them back. It was awesome.
Something tells me stealing something of Coop’s would be even better.
“Are you ready?” he asks as we stand outside the room, waiting for the game master to let us in. I’ve never done an escape room before. But he’s right that I’m great at logic and puzzles, and I’m confident that will extend to an escape room.
Even if it’s a “Help Buddy the Elf Save Christmas” escape room.
I shake my head knowingly.
“What?” he asks with a Cheshire grin.
“Buddy the freaking Elf,” I say.
