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I grabbed his toothbrush and put toothpaste on it, then handed it to him. The little boy knew the drill, and when Cooper released him, he stepped up onto the stool by the vanity and began to brush his teeth. I knew that would keep him occupied long enough for Cooper and I to sneak out of the bathroom and exchange our goodbyes.
“I’ll be seeing you later.” Cooper growled the words against my ear, kissing my neck lightly enough that I could tell he was holding himself back.
“We’ll see,” I teased.
His eyes narrowed, but he knew I was kidding. “I’d better get out of here so your drop-off with Ethan goes smoothly.” Cooper arched his brow, shrugging. “Or, I could hang out and introduce myself?”
“Definitely not. Get out of here,” I laughed.
He pulled me against his chest, hugging me to him as he leaned his head down, pressing his lips to mine. We pulled away reluctantly, and he held me there. I watched as his eyes flitted between my gaze and my mouth.
“I love you.” He brushed his fingers from my temple, down my cheek, and jaw, sending chills down my spine.
“I—”
Cooper’s finger pressed gently against my lips, and he shook his head. “One step at a time,” he whispered, smiling coyly. He let his finger trail across my lip as he pulled away, then left.
I was left standing there, my body screaming for one more touch.
I was about to say those three words out loud, damn it!
I sighed, dreading the fact that he wouldn’t be here with my little boy today, making him happy and having a blast with him. Instead, Levi would probably be told to go watch TV because Ethan had work to do, like always.
Real quality time, I thought drily.
I finished getting Levi ready. Shortly after, a loud knock announced Ethan’s arrival.
It never failed, every time Ethan came to pick him up, my mind usually flooded with all the awful things he’d done to our family behind my back.
But, today was different. Today, I didn’t care.
***
Entering the apartment building again after getting Levi safely tucked into the backseat of Ethan’s car, I was experiencing mixed feelings. Sadness tugged at my heart because I wouldn’t be coming home to Cooper and Levi playing together. But I was anticipating some much-needed alone time with Cooper tonight.
Almost at the top of the staircase, I stopped dead in my tracks. I could faintly hear Cooper’s voice.
And the voice of a woman I didn’t recognize was responding to him.
“We were so good together,” was all I could hear her say, which was more than enough.
I slowly and quietly made my way up the stairs, making sure Cooper couldn’t see me. My heart dropped to my feet, my stomach churning wildly as rage pooled in my veins. Shock and disappointment crept up into my throat at the sight down the hallway, only mere feet from my doorway.
The woman leaned in, kissed him. And Cooper came forward, leaning into the kiss, too.
He didn’t back away.
The fucking asshole kissed her. And, to make matters worse, she looked a whole lot like me from what I could see. Dark, auburn hair, curvy body, roughly the same height.
If that’s not a slap in the face, I don’t know what is. Hell, maybe her name is Samantha, too.
I looked away, ducking into my apartment so I didn’t have to bear witness to his blatant betrayal. I heard the door close behind the two of them in Cooper’s apartment as well.
Tears burned my eyes as I fell against the door, sliding to the floor. With my head in my hands, I ripped the elastic from my hair and let the dark strands topple over my shoulders. I ran my hands through it, pulling harshly, just to feel some kind of pain other than the betrayal searing my veins.
I’m a fool. I knew it was too good to be true, and I still let myself fall for the him. I knew better.
CHAPTER EIGHT
