“That’s a lot of percentage points from a math major.”
“I’m begging you to cut it,” I said. “Stick your head under a lawn mower. Anything.”
“Noted,” Cooper said. Then he added, “You, by the way, look amazing. Just to be clear.”
I didn’t feel amazing. I looked down, like I’d forgotten myself. “I look like I’m wearing someone else’s wedding dress.”
“Are you?”
I nodded, all solemn. “Pearce’s mother’s, to be exact.”
“Who cares?” Cooper said. “You look epic.”
“The zipper’s broken,” I said, tugging at the collar. “So I’ll never get back out. This is basically my skin now.”
Cooper evaluated that idea. “Maybe that’s a good thing,” he said. Then, like it was a declaration: “I caught my breath when I saw you.”
“Did you really?”
Despite everything—despite the job he’d taken in London without telling me, and the texts of mine he’d ignored for four solid years, and his now-famousmeanest wedding RSVP in history—the idea of Cooper catching his breath at the sight of me made me catch my own right back.
The truth feels good.
It was maybe the best feeling I’d had all day.
But before I could savor it, Mrs. Allen cleared her throat.
I looked over.
Oh, god.I’d almost forgotten.
She gestured at the sanctuary, likeAhem! We have a wedding to complete over here.
I turned back to Cooper with an apologetic shrug. “I have to go get married now.”
“Yeah—of course,” he said, gesturing at my future. “Get after it.”
“Okay,” I said. “And thanks for coming after all.”
Cooper gave a wry headshake. “Couldn’t miss it if I tried.”
“And you’re not forgiven for that RSVP, by the way.”
“Unforgivable,” he agreed. “Hold a grudge. I support you.”
“I might forgive you eventually,” I said, walking backward now, holding eye contact.
“Don’t even think about it,” Cooper said.
Mrs. Allen was eyeing Cooper like he might be about to mug me as she came forward with my beige bouquet to usher me on. She signaled the organist, and spun me around by the shoulders to face the aisle, and was about to push me through the doors—when I heard Cooper’s voice behind me one more time.
“Joey!”
I turned back. “Kinda busy here,” I said as he jogged to catch up.
As he reached me, Cooper nodded, likeI get it. Then he put his hands on my shoulders, squeezing a little, like he was steadying me.
My bare shoulders, I should note. Under his bare hands.
