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The rest of the day drags by until it’s time to meet with Cooper, and when I get to the cafe, he’s already there and waiting with coffee for both of us. He looks so relaxed in his tight t-shirt and expertly ripped jeans. His auburn hair flopped at just the right angle across his forehead. He really is too good-looking. Who knew there was such a thing?
“Oh wow. Thanks for the coffee,” I say, sliding into the seat across from Cooper. “Remind me to get the next round since you bought these.”
“Oh no, I insist. What kind of gentleman would I be if I didn’t treat a lady properly?” He flashes me a roguish grin that makes my heart skip.
“Well, aren’t you charming today,” I reply, matching his teasing tone. “Should I be suspicious of this new gentlemanly Cooper?”
“Maybe you bring it out in me,” he says, his grin growing. “Or maybe I’ve always been this dashing, and you’re just now noticing.”
I dramatically place the back of my hand against my forehead. “Be still my heart! Is it possible the Cooper Davies has a soft side?”
He clutches his chest in mock offense. “You wound me, Sloane! I happen to have a very manly and rugged soft side.”
“Is that so? Guess I’ll have to see more of it before casting judgment.” I take a lingering sip of coffee, holding his gaze.
“Lucky for you, I’m happy to provide exhibits A through Z of my many layers.” His eyes glint playfully at me over the rim of his cup.
Our banter flows so naturally, like we’ve done this forever. It feels comfortable yet crackles with undeniable chemistry. I haven’t flirted like this in ages.
Maybe I’m rusty or out of practice, but Cooper makes it easy. The give and take of our witty repartee is deliciously fun. For a blissful moment, my worries fade away, and there is only the two of us connecting. I ignore the voice in my head, screaming that he’s so good at flirting because he does it all the time.
“I’ve been meaning to thank you for all the coffees you leave every morning, but it keeps slipping my mind. So, thank you. It’s been nice to come into work with a coffee waiting for me before my day starts.”
His dark brows pull together in confusion, and his smile falters. “What are you talking about?”
I stare at him for a second but then laugh it off. I see what he’s doing. He’s a good actor. “Oh, stop it. You don’t have to be modest. Really. I appreciate the thoughtfulness of it. You can admit it.” I tap playfully on his forearm, a little in jest but mostly to have an excuse to touch him briefly. I’ve been longing to do just that all day.
His confusion deepens, and my heart nearly stops.
“Sloane, believe me, I have no problem taking credit for someone else’s good deeds, but I just can’t do that with you. I swear, it’s not me buying you coffee.”
I pull my hand away from him sharply, now just as confused.
“Well, if it’s not you, then who?” I shake my head in disbelief. I’d have sworn on a stack of bibles it was Cooper leaving the coffee.
He shrugs, rubbing his chin and causing me to focus on his mouth. Damn it. “I thought maybe it was an arrangement between you and Fiona, so I never questioned it. Maybe I should have. I only looked at one of the coffees out of curiosity to see what kind you drank, hence your coffee order today.” He points at my steaming mug of white mocha.
“Oh, okay.” I completely fail at my attempt to keep the disappointment out of my voice. “I guess I’ll have to look into who else it might be.”
Cooper nods thoughtfully, but he’s failing at hiding his jealousy, so we’re both terrible actors.
Interesting.
“Anyway. What I wanted to talk to you about, or who is Penny.”
His face lights up a bit at her name. That’s interesting, too.
“Oh? Fantastic song you two are writing, by the way. She’s got a lot of talent.”
I nod in agreement. “She does. But she also has something else.”
He squints at me dubiously. “What else?”
“A crush on you.”
He jerks back in his chair. “What? No. No way. Uh uh.”
