“Had to think about that for a minute, huh?”
“Don’t push your luck.”
His sexy smile was positively lethal. “So now that you’ve decided to keep me around for a while, what do you want to do?”
“As you well know, I hardly slept last night. I’m tired.”
“You want to go home and take a nap?”
“Like an actual nap with sleeping?”
“What other kind is there?” he asked, feigning confusion.
Gigi rolled her eyes. “No nudity.”
“I suppose I can live with that, but it’ll be a terrible hardship.”
“Then let’s go.”
“Don’t forget your roses. I picked them for you.”
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
She grabbed her phone from the bathroom and the gorgeous bundle of roses from the kitchen, followed him out of Jordan’s house and locked the door. Jordan had told her that most people didn’t lock their houses on Gansett, but Mason always did now that Jordan lived with him. He never knew when some crackpot would come looking for her, and he wanted Jordan to be safe.
The first time Jordan had told her that, Gigi had thought how nice it must be to have someone who cares so much about you that he started locking his house to keep you safe. But it hadn’t occurred to her to want that for herself. Then along came Cooper James to turn things upside down.
Despite his sweet words and assurances, Gigi was still skeptical that they could turn a summer fling into something lasting. However, she was willing to give him a chance to show her what might be possible, which was a massive leap for her.
As the scent of the roses filled her senses, she only hoped she wouldn’t regret it.
* * *
Cooper drove home to Jared’s, reminding himself it was way too soon for a victory celebration. But she hadn’t sent him away, and that was definitely a victory. When he’d gotten the text from Gigi to come to Jordan’s ASAP, he’d initially been concerned that something was wrong. When he’d seen how shocked Gigi was to see him there, he’d quickly realized she hadn’t sent the text. Jordan had intervened, and he’d be forever thankful to her. Who knew if he ever would’ve seen Gigi again if Jordan hadn’t gotten involved?
He owed her a dozen roses and a huge thank-you.
It was also interesting to realize that by getting involved, Jordan was signaling her approval of him for Gigi, which would matter to her. Despite her bravado and devil-may-care attitude, Gigi loved the family she’d created for herself with Jordan, Nikki and Evelyn, and their opinions mattered to her.
He would need to be patient with her and show her, one hour at a time, one day at a time, that she could have faith in him.
His cell phone rang, and he took the call from Jared on the Bluetooth. “What’s up?”
“Did you pair your phone to my Bluetooth by any chance?”
Cooper held back a laugh at Jared’s indignant tone. “Maybe. Maybe not. What’s up?”
“Lizzie wants to know if you’ll be home for dinner. She’s making kabobs.”
“That sounds good. Can I bring a friend?”
“Sure. Which friend?”
“Gigi.”
“No problem. So you guys are, like, seeing each other?”
Cooper glanced in the rearview mirror to make sure she was still behind him. “We are, and I’m hoping it’ll be more than just a summer fling.”
“Is that right?”
“It is.”
“That’s a big move for a little boy like you.”
“Shut up with the ‘little boy’ shit. I’m a grown man, in case you didn’t get that memo.”
Jared laughed. “You’ll always be a little boy to me.”
In the background, Cooper could hear the baby crying. “Any word from the investigator?”
“He might have a lead. We’re hopeful.”
Cooper could hear the exhaustion and stress in Jared’s voice. “I should be making dinner for you guys, not the other way around.”
“It’s fine. Lizzie says we have to get back to some semblance of normal, and she loves to cook. It’ll relieve some stress for her.”
“I wish there was something I could do for you guys besides hope you find Jessie.”
“We appreciate you sticking around. It’s nice to have the company.”
“I’m going to hang with Gigi this afternoon, but if you need anything, call me.”
“Will do. Where’s my car?”
“Pulling into your driveway right now. I’ll bring you the keys.”
“Gee, thanks. That’s awfully good of you.”
“Glad to be of service.”
Jared laughed. “Keep the comic relief coming. We need it.”
“How’s Lizzie?”
“She’s amazing. She is barely sleeping, but she’s so damned serene, as if she’s been preparing for this her whole life.”
“God, Jared, what’re we going to do if you have to give the baby back to Jessie?”
“I have no idea. I can’t even think about it.”
Cooper’s stomach hurt at the thought of that kind of agony descending upon Lizzie and Jared.
“I’m not sure what’s worse, fearing that or living in this awful limbo of not knowing what’s going to happen.”
“They both suck.”
“Yep,” Jared said with a sigh.
As Cooper pulled up to the garage, Jared came outside.
Cooper handed him the keys, and in a spontaneous moment, he hugged his brother. “Wish there was something more I could do.”
Jared patted Cooper on the back. “This helps. Thanks.”
“Any word from Q?”
“Nothing other than they got to Ireland okay.”
“Lucky dog.”
“Took him a long time to take the plunge. I hope they enjoy every minute of their honeymoon.”
“I’m sure they will.”
Gigi drove in and parked next to the Porsche. “How’s it going, Jared?” she asked when she got out of the car.
“About the same. Still looking for Jessie and taking care of the baby in the meantime.”
“I give you guys all the credit for what you’re doing.”
“We’re doing what anyone would.”
“That’s not true,” Gigi said, a fierce edge to her tone. “Most people would’ve turned the baby over to the system. You’re not most people.”
“Thanks,” Jared said with a weary sigh. “You guys have a nice afternoon. I’ll see you at dinner.”
Gigi glanced at Cooper.
“They invited us.”
“Shouldn’t we be making them dinner?”
“That’s what I said, too, but Jared said Lizzie wants to do it.”
“What can we bring?”
“Not a thing. I did a grocery run this morning and picked up wine. We’re all set.”
“Thanks for having us,” Cooper said.
“We’re looking forward to some adult time.”
“Sounds fun,” Cooper said.
“I’d better go check on Lizzie. See you in a bit.”