“Man, don’t settle for that shit. I know Dallas, and she’s just as fucked up as you are. Hell, we’re the fucked-up bunch. Except now, I have Angel and Mehki to cushion those fuck-ups. And you need Dallas to help you be less of a—”
“Say fuck-up one more time.”
Cooper barked out a laugh. “Fuck-up.”
We both laughed. “You’re a dumb ass for that.”
“And you’re actually smiling. When was the last time that happened?”
I thought about his words. Coop wasn’t lying. For a long time, I hadn’t had much to smile about. “It’s been a while.”
“I’m glad she does that for you.”
“Shedidthat for me,” I corrected.
Coop grumbled a curse. “I’m going to let you have this one. I’ll talk to her when I see her.”
“What exactly do you think that’s going to change?”
“Don’t worry about what I think. Just update me on the project so I can get out of here. Angel and Mehki are waiting back at my place.” Coop had decided to keep his condo because he knew he’d be in Detroit for business often. They’d stopped off in Detroit on their way to Mackinac Island for a short getaway.
I gave Coop a quick rundown of the project timeline. “The staff is moving ahead of schedule. I feel confident that, barring any unforeseen circumstances, we’ll meet the first deadline.”
Coop studied the blueprints. “Good.” He pointed at a spot on the paper. “What about this land next to the lot? Is that available?”
I peered at the drawing. “It is. What are you thinking?”
“Let’s find out if we can purchase it. I’d like to build a park for the kids in the area, a safe place where they can play.”
The thought had crossed my mind too. Growing up, I’d wished I’d had a park I could go to and escape my house. “I’m already ahead of you on this. I’ve been in touch with Parks & Rec. We would need them to assume responsibility for it after the development is complete.”
Coop held out his fist, and I bumped it with mine. “Bet. Let’s make it happen.” He picked up his phone and typed something. “Mehki is hungry. Before I go, how’s your mother?”
The last week had been a difficult adjustment for Mom. She’d threatened to check herself out of the rehab center at least ten times. But things had calmed down a little. “I’m just hoping she can stay and work the program. If she doesn’t, I don’t know how long she’ll be here.” The sobering thought had kept me from embracing the anger still lying just beneath the surface. Although we’d spoken often, my mother and I had a long journey ahead before we could even talk about healing our fractured relationship.
“Let me know if you need anything, bruh. You know I’m here.”
“Thanks, man. I appreciate that.”
A knock on the door pulled my attention away from the document I’d just opened to show Coop. I’d let the administrative assistant go home early, so I shouted, “Come in.”
Dallas poked her head into the office. “Are you sure you want to see me?” She smiled when she spotted Coop. “You’re here?” She walked in and hugged him. “I didn’t know you were coming?”
“This timeyoudidn’t answeryourphone,” Coop said. “Because I called your ass about three times. And I texted you.”
Dallas scratched her neck. “I was out of service.”
“Youwere out of service?” he asked. “Or yourphonewas out of service?”
She shrugged. “Both. But me mostly.” She glanced at me then. “Hi.”
“Hi.” I couldn’t take my eyes off her and didn’t even bother to hide my perusal. She was stunning. Her brown skin looked kissed by the sun, and she wore flip-flops with a long dress that hung off her shoulders. My need for her hadn’t waned, despite the time and distance between us. I wanted to run my fingers through her curls. Wanted to run my tongue over her body. I wanted her.
She shifted from one foot to the other. “I just got back.”
“And you came here?” I asked.
Dallas nodded.
