It’s a small price to pay for being within walking distance of just about everything you could ever want and having the best building manager on the face of the planet.
Cooper bends down, his lips so close I swear I can feel them brush along the shell of my ear.
“Told you,” he whispers, and I do everything I can to hide the shiver that races down my back.
After last night, having Cooper so close to me feels different and makes me think of things I shouldn’t be thinking of. Like how good he smells. Or how warm he feels.
I will not think about last night. I will not think about last night.
“Caroline?”
I turn toward the quiet voice, and Cooper turns with me.
Jason, a guy who frequents my favorite bookstore, is standing near the to-go window.
“Jason. Hey. How are you?”
“Good. Better now.” He smiles shyly.
I met Jason a couple months back browsing the fantasy section. We literally bumped into each other. We laughed about it and he helped me pick out a book.
I saw him again the next week.
Now we run into each other at least a couple times a month.
He’s a sweet guy. Quiet. A little shy. Traditionally handsome and very much the take home to meet the parents kind of person.
There have been a few times I’ve thought he was going to ask me out, but then he didn’t.
I was a little disappointed at first, but over time I’ve learned to not get my hopes up.
Besides, the more I run into him, I’m not so sure he’s my type. As ironic as it is, he might be a little too shy for me.
Cooper clears his throat.
“Oh, duh.” I smack my forehead. “Where are my manners? Jason, this is my best friend, Cooper. Coop, this is Jason. He’s another regular at Books & Things & More.”
Jason gives Cooper a shy smile, while Cooper gives him a once-over.
I’ve seen Cooper act all big brotherly over the years when it comes to other guys. Always stepping in and sizing them up, making sure they’re up to his standards of who he thinks is worthy of my time.
But this?
There’s something else in his eyes I can’t quite put my finger on.
“Next,” the cashier calls.
“Well, that’s us,” I say, hitching my thumb toward the counter. “It was good seeing you, Jason. I’m sure I’ll run into you next week too.”
“Always a pleasure, Caroline.”
He tips his head, grabs his order, and pauses once more to smile at me before leaving.
“That dude wants to fuck you.”
“Cooper Ryan Bennett!” I admonish, smacking my hand over his mouth as he stares after Jason. “What is wrong with you?”
He peels my hand away, lifting his strong shoulders. “What? It’s true. Dude totally wants to bone you but is too pussy to man up and ask you out.”
“You don’t know that.”
“Brain.” He points to his head, then to his nether regions. “Penis. Trust me, I know what I’m talking about. But you can’t go there.”
“What? Why not?”
Not that I’m sure I want to, but it’s not his place to tell me otherwise.
“You said he frequents your favorite bookstore, right?” I nod. “Well, what if he ends up being a total loser and you hate the sex? Then you’ve just had a bad dickin’ and you lost your favorite nerd hangout.”
Shit. He’s probably right.
But I’m sure Jason can’t be that bad…
“Stop thinking about it. Just trust me on this.” He places his hand on the small of my back and guides me toward the counter. “Good morning, Darlene.”
“Hey, kids,” she greets, flashing us a smile. “Want your usual today?”
“Yes. A vanilla waffle with chocolate chips, chocolate sauce, and extra whipped cream for her, and four scrambled eggs, fruit, and wheat toast for me,” Cooper tells her like he has so many times over the years. He points to me. “Oh, and a chocolate chip cookie since she’ll be paying this time.”
Darlene lifts her brows, a grin pulling at her lips. “And here I thought you were a gentleman.”
“I am. She just groped me last night and owes me.”
“Cooper!” I shout, smacking him again.
He clutches his stomach, from laughter and from the pain I’ve inflicted.
I turn to Darlene. “Please ignore him. He fell last night, hit his head really hard, and is now suffering from assholeism.”
Darlene nods, grinning. “My ex-husband had that too. I completely understand. Coffee’s on the house this morning.” She narrows her eyes at Cooper. “Her coffee. We just so happen to have run out.”
“Of course you did.” Cooper grins. “That’s all right, Darlene. I see whose side you’re on.”
She shrugs. “Us girls have to stick together. Especially when we have people with assholeism in our lives.”
I pay for our breakfast because I do still owe Cooper even though he’s a jerk, and we make our way to the same spot we always sit in when we come here.
I spot River and Dean already sitting there, two slices of pie in front of them as she glares at his bent head. He’s invested in his breakfast, and River’s invested in burning a hole through his skull.
“Hey, guys,” I say, approaching the community table. “What are you doing here, Dean? Shouldn’t you be at school?”
“Parent/teacher meetings today. I didn’t schedule my first one until later so I could have breakfast with this one.” He sounds annoyed as he hitches his thumb River’s way.
She rolls her hazel eyes at him.
Cooper and I exchange a glance as we take a seat at the table.
What’s up with them? Cooper’s eyes say.
No clue, mine answer.
I’d say I’m surprised they’re arguing this early, but it’s them. They’re always arguing over something…then making up like they’re sex-crazed teens.
I clear my throat. “Did we interrupt something?”
“Just Dean being Dean,” River answers, brushing her long dark red hair behind her shoulder and throwing daggers at her boyfriend.
The man in question tosses his fork down onto his plate, the utensil clattering loudly. He runs his hands through his messy midnight hair, though you’d never be able to tell because that’s how he always wears it. During the week when he’s teaching English to fifth graders, Dean is way more buttoned up than he is now, minus the always messy hair.
“What exactly is that supposed to mean, River?” he asks, his eyes narrowed on her in exasperation.
“It means you’re just being you.” She shrugs, her off-the-shoulder top slipping further down. “You know, a total jackass.”
“How?! I gave you the cherry pie this time!”
She leans across the table. “You can’t seriously think that makes up for what happened last night.”
“Jesus, River. Is that what this is about?” He pinches the bridge of his nose between his fingers. “It happened. Get over it already.”
“What happened?” Cooper asks.
“Dean accidentally watched the season finale of the show we’ve been bingeing without me.”
“I didn’t mean to!” he argues. “It auto-played. It’s a good show. I couldn’t look away.”