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“So why are you looking at me like I did something horrible?”
He takes a step forward, but I sidestep. I’m not hungry anymore. “The pasta will be ready in two minutes. I’m going upstairs.”
“You need to eat.”
I bite my lip. “I’ll eat later.”
When I’m in our room—James’s room—I shut the door, slumping against it. All around me, I see evidence of not just his life, but mine—ours. Especially now that college is over, most of my things are here. My camera is on his desk. Our clothes are mixed in the closet. Half of the bathroom counter is covered in my skincare products, which drives him nuts. He added another nightstand; on his side, there’s an alarm clock shaped like a football and the Gillian Flynn book he’s reading, and on mine, my journal and thephotography book his siblings gave me last Christmas. Our diplomas, framed but not hung, lean against the wall.
I gave Izzy my camera for graduation day, and she took dozens of photos of us in our caps and gowns. My favorite is of us on McKee’s football field together. I’m hitching a ride on James’s back, my cap knocked askew as we laugh. It’s the one we’ve discussed printing and hanging up in our new place.
When we’ve spoken about Philadelphia, it’s always been with the assumption that we’ll be there together. That this room of ours can exist there. I want it, I truly do—but it’s hard not to feel strange when he’s a millionaire and I’m jobless. I love him and I know he loves me, but if we start a life together and it doesn’t work out, what will I do then?
Chapter 2
James
I watch as Bex turns on her heel and heads upstairs.
What the fuck just happened?
You’d think she would be happy that once we get to Philly, we’ll be set. I haven’t bought a house, wouldn’t do it without making sure she loves it, but I’ve been looking in the neighborhoods where my new teammates live, and I’ve found a few options for us to consider. I didn’t keep the bonus from her because of some fucked up reason; I wanted to surprise her with a gift.
Cooper pokes his head into the room. “Coast clear?”
I scowl at him. “Set the table.”
He watches as I drain the pasta and dump it into the pot with the sauce. “She didn’t like your surprise?”
I serve two bowls, putting the lid over the pot so it’ll be warm in case she decides to come downstairs. If she doesn’t, I’ll bring her a bowl later. Cooper brings silverware over to the table. He’s still looking at me as we sit down; I can’t tell whether he’s about to commiserate with me or tell me I fucked up.
“No,” I admit, after a couple minutes of silence. “But what did she expect, you know? It comes with the territory.”
“We know this, but maybe she doesn’t yet.”
I stab my fork through my pasta and take a bite. I can tell instantly that she made the red sauce from scratch. It’s delicious; she never does anything halfway. We’re the same like that, andusually it makes us a good team, but right now, I’m resenting her stubbornness.
“I just want to take care of her.”
“And you do.” Cooper settles back in his chair, water glass in hand. “But you saw how she reacted when you found a buyer for the diner. You shouldn’t spring big things on her. She freaks out. For the record—”
“I know,” I interrupt. Cooper and Seb told me I shouldn’t surprise her with this, and I didn’t listen.
He gives me a pitying look. “I can’t decide which I’d rather have around, your relationship or Izzy.”
“Definitely me.”
“I don’t know, Izzy might have a hot friend.”
I’m shaking my head before he even finishes his sentence. “No way. If you hook up with one of Izzy’s friends, you’re dating her. Izzy won’t let you ghost. Whoever she brings around is off-limits unless you suddenly like the idea of domesticity.”
Cooper with a girlfriend? Our mother would love nothing more, she’s constantly fretting over him, but when I try to imagine it, my mind goes blank. Sebastian? Sure, one day I’m sure he’ll find someone he wants to go out with. But I can’t even think of the type of woman who’d be able to tame Coop. Even in high school, he didn’t date, which, as I understand it, was a tragic blow to the girls in his and Seb’s class year.
He pushes his pasta around the bowl. He ought to be starving, we spent half the day in the gym together. He takes a sip of water. “You’re right.”
“I’m not going to be here to smooth things over if you fuck up.”
“Gee, thanks for the vote of confidence.”
