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Since the moment we arrived, it’s been nothing but warm introductions, hugs, smiles, and laughter. My family is every bit as vibrant and loving as I’d warned, and to my great pleasure, Eve has fit in perfectly, as if she’s one of us, which if all goes well later, she will be. Eve brushes off the compliments, but a blush creeps up her cheeks, and there’s a flush of pride in her eyes.
“Seriously, it was incredible, wasn’t it, Cooper?” Jessica gushes with a sparkle in her eyes as she catches me spying from the doorway. “The girls absolutely loved it! How did you come up with the idea, Eve? You’re so creative.”
My heart swells when Eve glances up to meet my eyes, and her lips curl into a small smile before she turns back to the women and describes how Dreamy Night Slumber Company was born. She finds such joy in beautiful, whimsical things and especially in making children’s dreams come true.
“Have you seen the re—” Tabitha starts, asking Eve a question I know the answer to and don’t want spoiled, at least not yet.
I step in quickly and cut her off. “Speaking of sleepovers, we need to get going,” I announce to the group, coming up behind Eve and placing my hands on her shoulders, much to the delight of the women, who share knowing glances amongst themselves, which I ignore.
“Is it time, already?” Eve sounds crestfallen, and I bite back a smile.
I hate to interrupt them, especially when things are going so well, but I had a feeling Eve’s lost track of time. “Yes, if I want to get you home as promised, so you can get to tonight’s sleepover in time to set up.”
After a flurry of thank yous and goodbyes, a final happy birthday wish for Gia, and a promise to all my nieces and nephews that she’ll set up an epic sleepover for them at my place soon, we finally make our way to the car.
I hold out the key fob, but she shakes her head. “You drive this time.”
I open her car door, but before she slides in, she stops and places a hand on my arm. “Thanks for inviting me here today, Coop. It was more fun than I could have imagined.”
I lean down and press a kiss to her lips. “Anytime.”
I draw back, but rather than an easy smile, her weak grin looks forced and a storm brews in her eyes. The pleasure and anticipation that’s built in my chest all day is wiped away like a balloon that suddenly pops, but I’m holding out hope I can still convince her to give us a chance. Especially because of that promise she made to the kids.
She climbs in, and I circle the car and follow suit. I start up the engine, but before I pull away, I meet Eve’s gaze and know in my bones I’m right. There’s something special between us, a connection that goes far beyond the physical attraction.
“What?” she asks, catching my look.
“My family loved you.”
She turns back to the window, glancing at the house and heaves a sigh. I pull away from the curb and wait patiently. I sense her hesitation, feel the anxiety she’s trying to contain rippling off her. She’s yearning to tell me something, and it’s only a matter of time before it will come out.
“Cooper,” she begins, finally breaking the silence as we turn the corner. “You’re…used to dating women who look like you.”
I keep my eyes on the road. “Like me?”
“You know, tall, beautiful…perfect.”
My grip tightens on the wheel, but it’s important to play this right.
“So you think I’m hot?” I ask, injecting a hint of humor into my tone.
That gets me a smile and a roll of her eyes. “We both know you’re hot.”
I shoot her a wink. “I’m glad to hear you think so.”
A minute of quiet and then, “What I’m saying is, I don’t think I’m really your type.”
I raise an eyebrow, glancing over at her for a moment before returning my attention to the road. She’s cradling Shorty in her right arm on her lap and staring down at him.
My chest swells. Eve’s beauty is undeniable, and her strength is mesmerizing, but her inner kindness is the magnet that draws me in. I’m no longer interested in flings or playing games. I want something real. Something that will last. With this woman.
“Don’t you think I should be the judge of that?”
When she doesn’t respond, I continue, reaching over to place my hand on her thigh. “Eve,” I began, my voice serious, “You are everything I want in a woman, beautiful, intelligent, strong, and so much more. Not just on the outside but on the inside, too. You have this incredible will and kindness I’ve never seen in anyone else. And I can’t help but be drawn to you. To all of you.”
“Besides,” I continue, “I’m not interested in playing games or chasing after something shallow and meaningless anymore. I want something real, something that has the potential to last. And I think we have that, if you’ll give us a chance.”
She’s quiet but shifts in her seat almost the entire way to her house as if she’s fighting an internal battle. A debate I think I have an idea about, but can’t be sure.
