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Cooper’s hands moved around my sides to my lower back and squeezed my ass through the sheets. “Well, thanks to Norm’s Nicki and her fancy magazine selection, I do know how to make a wine rack out of a deer antler rack. And I know how to make a coat rack out of an elk rack. And a shoe rack out of—”
I kissed him before he could finish. And then I spent all night making sure he wouldn’t forget me very easily in Los Angeles. The late-night sex must have taken more out of me than I’d expected because instead of waking early and starting the coffee the way I always did, I slept right through Cooper’s alarm, his shower, and his departure.
I woke up to the sound of Nacho’s whining as my pickup truck crunched its way out of the clearing. And just like that, I was alone again with my DIY projects, my camera, and my dog.
Back to the way it had always been and probably always would be.
22
Cooper
I felt guilty for being excited about my trip. In no way did I want to leave Nine behind, and if I could have brought him with me, that would have been ideal. But I couldn’t deny how much my mouth watered for the mediterranean salad at Vector’s or how relieved I was Kyle could squeeze me in for a haircut on short notice.
Back to the land of civilization. Back to stoplights and late nights. In the Uber to the hotel, I wondered if any of my old friends would be interested in going to a club or even just out for a drink to catch up. I hadn’t been back in several months after making the decision to move back home until we figured out what was wrong with Jacks.
In that time, however, I hadn’t really missed anyone too much. I’d messaged a few people here and there, mostly my old roommates Evie and Van, and Jarrod, my closest friend from the bar where I’d worked. I texted Evie first, and she responded right away that she’d get some people together to meet up at Low Bar later for drinks. Then I texted Jarrod to see if he’d run lines with me before that.
I settled back in my seat and tried to get excited. Nice visit to the salon, dinner with my agent to go over the project, and then a good catch-up with my friends before getting a good sleep for the audition.
Why wasn’t I more excited about it?
When I got to the salon, I let out a sigh of relief and enjoyed every minute of Kyle’s pampering. I told him I had an audition the following day, so he slipped me a half-empty tube of styling cream to make sure I looked my best for it. I left the salon lighter in the wallet but feeling so much better. I finally had the smoky, woodsy smell off me and was ready to change into some of my favorite clothes I hadn’t worn in ages.
Back at the hotel, I couldn’t help but take a minute to check in with Nine. I took a selfie and sent it to him.
Cooper: Hey, new hair, who dis?
Nine: Wow. Sexy. Or as my sister Jessie would say: sexy af. I don’t know what the af stands for though.
Cooper: As fuck.
Nine: Oh, right.
A photo of him appeared. He was shirtless, tanned, and sweating, and I almost swallowed my tongue. A plaid flannel shirt was tied around his waist, and the jeans he had on stuck to his muscular thighs like spandex. He must have put the phone in the tripod and then stepped back to capture a full-length shot. He was also standing in front of the cabin which had a big swath of sunshine striping across the front porch at an angle through the trees and landing on Nacho, who was dead asleep at the top of the porch stairs. I could just imagine how carefully Nine would step over him with every trip in and out of the cabin so as not to wake the dog.
The photo captured everything I missed: Nine, Nacho, and that rubble pile that was finally starting to look like something worthwhile thanks to all of Nine’s hard work. I ran a finger down the image of the man who made my heart throw itself against my rib cage like the damned thing could actually jump out and join Isaac in the photo.
Cooper: I miss you.
Nine: You don’t know what missing is. I have to sleep in a bed that smells like you. Been avoiding the RV all day.
My heart. Jesus, but the man sometimes shot a dart right into it.
My fingers hovered over the keys, but before I could think of what to say, a message popped up from my agent telling me he was downstairs waiting. I glanced at the time and realized he’d probably already been there a few minutes. I raced to finish getting ready and then hustled downstairs.
