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“More than a little...” he winked, and I laughed.
“Come on Cooper, I never took you for a man who needed that much ego-stroking,” I said, reaching across the table to stroke his jaw. “Besides,” I said, dropping my voice, “I would’ve thought the multiple answers you provided were more than enough evidence of that.”
I leaned across the table to give him a quick peck and his eyes fell to my robe, that was falling open. “I think I’m getting distracted again,” he said as I laughed against his lips, happy to welcome the distraction. Nothing like a little morning nookie with the most gorgeous man alive whose hand was slipping beneath my short, silky robe...
He moaned into my mouth. “Haley, did you not bother to put panties on?”
I laughed, “Now what would the point be in that?”
I delighted in the heat that stole over his features as he smiled with pride at me and teased, “I like the way you think, my naughty girl.”
He kissed me then, sweet and slow, and it felt like time stood still. Our hands roamed all over each other, exploring the places we might have missed the night before, not caring that our breakfast was growing cold. Cooper hefted me up into his arms and was about to carry me back to bed when the landline rang.
I squirmed until he put me down. “The only one who calls that line is Tess,” I said apologetically as I reached for the phone. It’s probably nothing major, just her daily check-in, but I wasn’tgoing to ignore my dearest friend who’d been worried sick about me and stuck out her neck to help me over the last few weeks.
There was that guilt again. I choked it back as I answered the phone. “Hello?”
“Haley,” Tess answered, not bothering with a hello and sounding slightly out of breath.
“Tess? Are you okay?” I asked, as she didn’t sound like herself. Cooper watched me intently, concern washing over his expression.
“Yeah, yeah. I’m fine. I’m sorry I sounded so weird, it’s just that—well, I had a bizarre conversation and I’m still processing it all, but I snuck away to call you the second I could.”
“Sounds serious. What’s going on?”
I could hear her sucking in a deep breath, “Well, the media attention on the ‘runaway bride’ has hit a fever pitch. I didn’t want to tell you how bad it had gotten because I knew you needed to focus on yourself—and honestly, I figured it would’ve died down after a few days, but then...” she trailed off.
“But then what?” My heart rate picked up a in panic.
She sighed, “But then Marcus started giving these tearful interviews about how he’s the jilted groom and he should have seen it coming. He actually implied you were only with him for his money since you’re on a school teacher salary.”
My whole body was tense. “That asshole,” I breathed, and that’s when I realized Cooper was by my side now, waiting for the signal that he needed to do something.
“I know,” Tess lamented, and I could tell in her voice how frustrating this had to be for her. I’d been in Hanalei having sexy fun with her older brother while she was putting out fires on my behalf back home. I felt like the worst friend ever. “It gets worse. You know all those reporters who have been hounding you for interviews? Well, somehow one of them got my cell number—I just got off the phone with them.”
I growled out in frustration. “My God, they won’t quit. Tess, I am so sorry you’re having to deal with this. That’s crossing the line.”
“Haley, listen to me. I’m not worried about that. The reason I called you is that this reporter offered a very intriguing sum of money and, by intriguing I mean ridiculously large. I know you’ve had a couple of crazy offers, but with the way Marcus is trying to spin this and smear your reputation, I think it’s time for you to...”
“Tess, no...” I started. There’s no way she’s going to suggest what I think she is.
“Hales, look, normally I wouldn’t suggest it, but hell, you should get something for your trouble. Consider it reparations for your pain and suffering. And it is only fair you should get to say your piece—why should he get to have his cake and eat it too?”
“Tess...”
“Just think about it, okay? I know it’s out of your comfort zone. But I think you should defend yourself against this jackass. Think about it, please?”
I sighed. “Fine, I will think about it, but I can’t promise anything.”
“Understood,” she said.
“And Tess?”
“Yeah?”
“I really appreciate everything you’ve done—looking out for me and everything,” I said, struggling to get the words out around the lump in my throat.
“Haley, quit thanking me for that—it’s what best friends are for.”
