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He rubbed his jaw, that slow smile making her stomach churn harder than ever. Was he doing that on purpose? And even if he was, what the heck was up with her?
“I’ve had a weird week,” he said, eyes dark and shiny in the half-light.
“I have too.” Did that just come out of her mouth? “I mean, I’ve been busy in the, ah, attic.” Stop talking.
“Work not going well?” Thank goodness her mouth decided to take a break, because A) she was out of breath and B) she sounded like an idiot.
He nodded. “You could say that.” He stretched and yawned. For a few seconds, neither one of them said a thing, and then Cooper glanced at his watch.
“Didn’t realize it was so close to dinnertime.” He seemed to be considering something, and when he slowly raised his head and met her eyes, her stomach tumbled again. This time, she was ready for it and managed to keep her composure—though she was pretty sure her candy-red cheeks were a dead giveaway to the turmoil inside.
Turmoil that she didn’t want to analyze or even think about.
“You want to maybe get something to eat?”
Wait. What?
“I…” Startled, she had to w
ork to keep her mouth from falling open. Didn’t work, and Lord knows she wouldn’t have a problem catching flies. Lots and lots of flies.
“I have no food in the house, and I’ve been alone all week, so I wouldn’t mind some company. Maverick told me there’s a great Italian place in the neighboring town.”
She didn’t say a word, because, bloody hell, she couldn’t. Fidgeting, she worried the edge of her sweatshirt, wishing the floor would open up and swallow her whole. Her vocal cords were still frozen, and all Morgan could do was stare back at Cooper in silence.
“What do you say? Feel like Italian? I could pick you up on my way through town. Mom’s gone, and I’ve got to drop off Stanley at Rick’s.”
At the sound of his name, Stanley wagged his tail and pressed a wet nose to Cooper’s thigh, barking softly when Cooper ran his hands over the dog’s head.
“He’s going to miss you.” The words fell out of her, and her breath caught in the back of her throat when he suddenly looked up.
Cooper held her gaze for a few minutes and ruffled the back of Stanley’s neck, much to the pup’s obvious delight. “He’ll miss the treats I’m not supposed to give him.” Cooper shrugged and straightened. “But yeah, it’s time. I don’t want the poor guy thinking this here is permanent or anything.”
Right. Cooper would be gone as soon as he finished doing whatever the heck it was he was doing in the shop. Morgan should have no feelings either way on that particular subject, and yet…
“So,” Cooper said, taking another step closer. “Dinner?”
She shook her head. “I don’t think so.”
“Why not?” He shot back, eyebrows arched in question.
She shrugged but didn’t answer.
“What are you afraid of?”
Okay. That annoyed her, maybe because it was a little too close to the truth. “I’m not… Nothing.”
“I don’t believe you.”
Something in his tone got to her, and she straightened her shoulders. They stared across the foyer at each other, almost like adversaries, and she swore the temperature tripled. Hot and more than a little bothered, she tossed her hair back. “What is this?” she finally asked.
“What is what?” A ghost of a smile swept across his face.
Okay. So he was playing that game. Morgan was having none of it.
“Why do you want to take me to dinner?” He opened his mouth to reply but she plowed ahead, not giving him the chance to say a word. “Better yet, let’s forget about whatever this is right now. Answer another question for me. Why did you kiss me the other night?”
Again he opened his mouth, but whatever the hell had awakened inside Morgan wouldn’t let her let him speak.
