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Cooper
Thethrustfromthetwin engines on the Gulfstream G700 presses me flat against the back of the leather armchair as the AV Industries company jet accelerates, barreling down the runway at O’Hare. It lifts off into the afternoon sun, the ice cubes in the gin and tonic in my hand rattling against the glass, while I glance out the window at the view as we leave Chicago behind.
I take a long sip and settle in for the two-hour flight to Raleigh, where I’ve got a business meeting first thing in the morning. My phone buzzes on the conference table where I’m seated. I set down the crystal highball on the white cocktail napkin and pick up the cell.
The message is a selfie from Gia, my soon-to-be seven-year-old niece, who’s apparently gotten hold of her mother’s phone. The picture is a closeup of Gia’s wide grin, revealing a missing front tooth. I chuckle and shoot backLooks like a visit from the Tooth Fairy tonight.
Luke, my longtime friend and boss, glances up from across the table where he’s been engrossed in the first quarter sales report and cocks an eyebrow. At his side, his wife, Penny, who’s traveling with us to enjoy a weekend getaway they’ll have after the meeting, takes a sip of her iced coffee. “Anyone good, Coop?”
“Yeah.” They both assume it’s a woman, which, to be honest, it usually is, but this time, I can honestly say, “It’s my niece.”
Surprise registers on Penny’s face before she composes her features. “The one whose ballet recital you went to last week?”
Penny’s a third-grade teacher and one of the sweetest people on earth, so I’m not surprised she remembers the recital I mentioned when she stopped by the office last Wednesday. “No, this one is Gia, my other sister’s daughter, or one of them, at least.” I show her the picture. “She’s six and apparently just lost a tooth.”
“Aw, she’s adorable!” Penny leans in for a closer look. Her teasing expression softens, replaced by genuine warmth.
“Never thought I’d see the day Coop would smile over a text that wasn’t from a woman he was trying to charm.” Luke turns his attention back to the sales report, unable to resist the opportunity to bait me. I consider making a joke about his aversion to flying, but my phone buzzes again as he adds, “The only thing Coop’s got more of than dates is nieces and nephews.”
I glance at the screen. Another text from Gia.Last time I got a ten-dollar bill but mommy says that’s only because it was my first one
I reply:You never know with the Tooth Fairy, but your birthday is coming up, so you’ll be set on presents soon enough
“Too many to count,” I agree, jumping back into the conversation with Luke. “Nieces and nephews, that is, not women. You can never have too many of those.”
“Speak for yourself.” Luke reaches over to squeeze Penny’s thigh under the table.
It’s a move I’ve used often on women, but without being so obvious. Subtlety is more my style.
Luke, still smiling at his wife, adds, “When you know, you know, Coop. Maybe, you’ll find one you can’t live without where you least expect it.”
I scoff. Just because lightning struck with him doesn’t mean it’s in the cards for everyone. “I think there are better odds the Cubs will win the World Series again before I’m dead.”
The flight attendant, who must be a new hire because she’s definitely someone I would have noticed before, steps up to us, her tailored uniform highlighting her curves. She sets down a platter of warm hors d’oeuvres and a bowl of mixed nuts in the center of the table, along with a fresh gin and tonic for me. I lean back and shoot her a smile as she clears my empty glass.
“Is there anything else I can get you at the moment, Mr. Ashford, Mrs. Ashford? Mr. Sharp?”
“Please call me Cooper.”
“We’re good, thank you,” Penny says before leveling her gaze at me.
The flight attendant turns back to the galley, but not before meeting my eyes one more time and flashing a smile that says she wouldn’t mind somefunduring our layover in Raleigh. Too bad I don’t mix business and pleasure.
That doesn’t prevent me from looking, and I’d check out her ass, but Penny’s attention is still fixed on me.
“Coop,” she says, her tone serious. “You can’t tell me there hasn’t been one woman you’ve met over the years who you thought, even for a minute, could bethe one.”
“Never.”
She throws up her hands and shakes her head at Luke. “I give up.”
He shrugs and turns back the report. “I did a long time ago.”
I glance down at Gia’s latest message:Can I have a sleepover at your house for my birthday with all the girl cousins? Mommy said I could ask
Pretty please
She’s added a gif of a pink piglet with an unbelievably irresistible little face.
