Am I in love with Cooper?Surely, it's too soon?I mean, he’s been nothing but kind, generous, sweet, and patient with me.He’s made me feel safe and in control again.He walks with me, never making me feel like a baby for still having anxiety after the kidnapping.
He’s been my dream man this entire time.I never really thought about having a dream man.I always thought I would stay single forever, that it would be Taylor and me against the world.But now I can’t imagine my life without Cooper.
“I should tell him,” I whisper.
Taylor snorts.“I’m sure he’d love to hear it.If he’s anything like Reyes, he’s going to make you say it a hundred times a day.”
“Hello, ladies!”our server greets, appearing at our booth.“What can I get for you?”
We quickly place our order and go back to catching up.
“So… how was the other night?”Taylor asks, leaning closer to me across the table.
I smirk, knowing she’s talking about the night of the full moon.Turning my head, I show her my bite mark.
“Amazing,” I sigh dreamily.
Taylor chuckles.“I know, right?I remember in high school, the girls used to complain about the first times.Hell, they’d complain about having sex with their boyfriends all the time.Talking about how bad it was, how they never got off, how selfish their guys were.”
I grin.“Not Cooper.”
She winks.“Not Reyes either.”
“I never thought I’d date or get married… or fated,” I whisper.“I mean, after watching Mom…”
“Yeah, me neither.I thought we’d be living together in our eighties with a dog or cat or something.”
“Same.”
“I would have loved that,” she says softly.
I smile.“Me too, but this is better.Seeing you so happy and in love.Seeing Reyes take care of you.It’s what you deserve.”
“You too,” she whispers, dabbing at the tears in her eyes.
Our food is dropped off, and we both dig in.The conversation turns to our search for work and getting settled in town.
“What else do you still need to buy?”Taylor asks as we wrap up.
I look over what I bought today.Socks, some sexy new bras and underwear that I can’t wait to show Cooper, a few pairs of pajamas, face wash and moisturizer, and new hair ties.
“I think I’m good for now.When winter comes, I’ll need boots and a coat, that kind of stuff, but I have the essentials.”
“Me too.”
Taylor pays the bill, and we stand, gathering our stuff.I smother a yawn as we head out, and she laughs.
“All this shopping has worn me out,” she says, smothering a yawn herself.
“We can take a nap on the couch when we get back to your place.The guys won’t be home for a few more hours,” I say, glancing at my watch.
“Sounds like a plan.Come on, we can take a shortcut back to my place.”
I follow her outside and around to the back of the diner to the hiking trail.Looking down, I adjust my bags in my hands, and when I look up again, it’s too late.
“Taylor!”I scream, but the van is already screeching to a stop next to us.
Everything happens so fast.I’m frozen in shock and fear, and it feels like I’m watching everyone move in slow motion.
