“Thank you. I’m glad you understand.”
“I do.”
I tilt my head, eyeing her. “Why do I feel like you’re about to say but?”
“I’m not. No but.” She clears her throat. “However, I do think you need to talk to him and tell him where you’re at with this. Talk it out. Because trust me, communication is key in a relationship. It makes all the difference.”
Be open. Communicate more now than you ever have. It’ll save a world of hurt because there are things at stake now that weren’t before.
Momma B’s words filter through my mind.
She’s right, and so is River.
“Oh! Idea!” River says, clapping her hands together. “Since you’re hating on the day-drinking in the office, how about we go out tonight? You, me, and Maya. Let’s have some drinks, talk. Maybe dance. Maybe getting out of your apartment for something other than work will help. Clear your mind and all.”
“I don’t know…”
“Come on,” she urges. “It’ll be fun. We never go out.”
This is true. Mostly because I’d rather be at home.
Except for maybe tonight.
I do need to talk to Cooper…
But perhaps a few drinks will help me clear my mind.
Tomorrow. I’ll talk to him tomorrow.
“Okay. I’m in.”
Of course this is the place she’d pick to go drinking at.
I stare at the door of Lorde’s, the bar where Cooper first kissed me, afraid to step inside because I know all I’m going to do all night is think about him when that’s just what I’m trying not to do.
It’s on the tip of my tongue to tell her there’s no way in hell I’m going inside, but Maya looks like she needs a drink just as much as I do, and this night doesn’t need to be all about my woes.
“Oh, thank god!” she cries. “We’re here. I need a drink pronto.”
“I think we all do,” River agrees. “Also, I heard this place does karaoke on Fridays. Think we’ll get drunk enough to try it?”
“Shit. I hope so,” Maya says, pulling the door open.
We show our IDs to the guy at the entrance, then shuffle inside. It’s loud as usual, and there are bodies everywhere it seems.
Guess we aren’t the only ones running from our problems.
“I don’t know what the hell I’m going to do,” Maya complains when we reach the bar. She lifts her hand to signal the bartender. “I can’t believe they’re selling my apartment building to turn it into a damn outdoor sports equipment shop. Like we need another one of those.”
“You and Sam can stay with us. I know Dean wouldn’t have any issue with it.”
Maya scoffs. “You really want me and my twelve-year-old to live in your two-bedroom apartment with you, your boyfriend, your demon cat, and his emotional support turtle?”
“First of all, Morris is not a demon. He only hates Dean. Second, it’s only temporary, and you’re my best friend. It’s my job to help take care of you.”
“And I love you for that, but we both know there’s no way that’s going to work out.” Maya sighs. “I’ll figure something out. I have to figure something out.”
“You will,” I tell her, rubbing her back. “We’ll help you look. We’ll start tomorrow.”
“Thank you.” She blows out a breath. “I’m glad I have you two.”
We both send her reassuring smiles.
“Hey, sorry about that,” the bartender says, sliding up to the counter. “What can I—oh, Caroline, hey.”
I turn at the sound of my name.
“Hey, Shayla,” I say. “How are you?”
“Good, good. I was wondering if you were around here tonight.”
I lift an eyebrow, curious.
She tips her head toward the other end of the bar. “Cooper didn’t order your drink earlier.”
Cooper’s here?
Like she’s summoned his attention, I can feel his eyes on me, burning right through me, straight to my heart.
I could smack myself. I’ve been in such a haze this week, I completely forgot today is Friday. And not just any Friday.
“It’s Friday night out,” I say.
She nods. “Yep. The gang’s all here, as per usual. They’re putting everything on Eli’s tab again too. I guess this is the second time this month he’s messed up hours’ worth of work.”
He did?
There’s a twist in my gut. Shayla knows more about Cooper’s job than I do currently.
I hate it.
“Anyway,” she moves on, “want your usual?”
I nod. “Please. And whatever these two want.”
She takes River’s and Maya’s drink orders, then hurries away.
Don’t look. Don’t look. Don’t look.
I look.
Our eyes lock.
Everything falls away.
The bar, the loud music, the dancing bodies…it’s all gone.
It’s just us.
God do I miss that.
I miss his touch. His laugh. His kisses.
I miss him.
He lifts his drink to his lips, taking a sip but never pulling his eyes away from me, almost like he’s challenging me to look away first.
I do.
I toss my hair over my shoulder and turn back to the bar, seeing Shayla’s dropped off our drinks.
I pick mine up and instantly take a healthy swig.
“Caroline…” River says quietly when I turn back around. “We can go if you want. This is supposed to be a night about clearing your head, not being forced to deal with your issues.”
“No.” I shake my head. “It’s fine. I’m fine.”
“Good.” She smiles. “Now, let’s drink.”
“Oh, wait! Let’s do a toast,” Maya says.
“To what?”
She lifts her glass, and River and I follow suit.
“To dumbasses—men and landlords!”
And we drink.
19
Cooper
Caroline’s here.
I felt her the moment she walked in the door.
She didn’t notice me, but I noticed her. My eyes tracked her as she moved through the crowd and to the bar, River and Maya at her side.
My hand clenches around the drink I’m holding. Paul’s talking in my ear, but I don’t hear him.
She’s all I can see.
She must have stopped by the apartment before she came because this sure as hell isn’t what she was wearing this morning.
A new navy blue dress I haven’t seen before stops mid-thigh, hugging every inch of her body. There’s a slit cut up the side that gives the most delectable glimpse of her skin, and she’s wearing those fucking boots I still haven’t gotten to take off her.
I want to wrap a jacket around her and strip her bare all at once.
I have to fight with myself to not stalk over to her and demand her attention.
I need her to talk to me. To hear me out.
Need her to know I love her and I don’t want to go another minute without her.
I watch as she consoles Maya about something, then greets Shayla with a smile that lights up the fucking room even though I know she’s hurting as badly as I am.