I turn away and attempt to cool my skin when Cooper calls out to me one more time. “Luce.” I pause, and my skin flushes at hearing my nickname on his lips. “Be confident tonight and have fun. You’re an amazing woman, and he’s lucky to be out with you.”
If that’s true, then why aren’t you out with me?
What. A. Bust.
As far as getting-back-in-the-game dates go, that one had to be the worst. Cooper came in like a shot of tequila, all smooth, crisp, and enticing, and wrecked my system. I couldn’t focus the rest of the night. Cooper was right when he said my message inbox would get some action. Except, instead of making me blush, I mainly had to try very hard not to laugh. Ethan, though—darling Ethan—luckily wasn’t even fazed by my lack of attention. I think he has his own version of Cooper somewhere out in the world, too, because he was just as distracted. We both agreed to get the check as soon as socially acceptable and parted as barely acquaintances (but I know all of his daughter’s favorite foods, so that’s something).
If only I knew if Cooper is actually into me and is just staying away for the sake of respect for my brother, I’d talk to Drew about it and tell him to back off because I’m a grown woman who is capable of making her own decisions. I mentally tell my brother all about my sophistication and adult accomplishments while pulling on my dinosaur PJ pants and an oversized shirt I got at the planetarium that says I’m stellar! I wrap my hair in a bun on the top of my head, take out my contacts, and put on my glasses. After brushing my teeth, I plop down on the couch, happy to overindulge in a night of binge-watching something romantic.
Two minutes into streaming my favorite Turkish romance (don’t knock it till you try it), the doorbell rings. In moments like these, I still feel like a child, unsure of whether I should get the door or not. It’s late. I’m not expecting anyone, and sadly, I didn’t order any food. There’s a 50/50 chance a murderer is on the other side of that door, waiting to make me the next Da
teline story.
I do that thing where you put the TV on mute and hunker down, trying to trick whoever is at the door that they were only hearing things before and you’re not really home. Wait…but then will they just break in? I’ve lived without my parents for several years now, but I’m still not good at it.
My phone suddenly rings and makes me jump out of my skin. I frown at the caller ID flashing Cooper’s abs at me and wonder if I actually drifted off to sleep. This feels a lot like a dream, where there are too many moving components and eerie feelings to fully be able to process what’s going on. I bet a clown will walk through that door next and go make himself some lasagna in the kitchen. Sadly, that’s a reoccurring dream I have.
“Cooper?”
“I’m at your door. Will you come let me in before this old lady staring from her porch calls the cops on me? Oh gosh, her phone is to her ear. I think it’s happening.”
I let out a deep breath and toss the blankets off my lap. “You scared me! What are you doing here? It’s so late.”
“Let me in and you’ll see.” Why do I feel like he’s going to be dressed like Magic Mike on the other side of this door? One can only hope.
I open the door to Cooper, still dressed in his nice clothes from dinner, but he’s unbuttoned one extra button and untucked his shirt. One hand is pressing his phone to his ear, the other holding up a bottle of wine. “Post-bad-date sustenance.”
Yeah, more like late-night bad decision waiting to happen.
Lucy’s gaze bounces from the bottle of wine in my hand to my eyes, and she swallows. I start to feel stupid still holding up the wine, and also a little concerned she might turn me away. It sounds egotistical, but I haven’t been used to women keeping me at arm’s length or turning me away this past year. The fact that she doesn’t throw the door wide open and start undressing before I’ve made it across the threshold is refreshing—sort of.
Finally, she steps aside and gestures for me to come in, but her eyes are skeptical. She’s going to keep me on a short leash until she knows what I’m about.
When I walk into the living room, I notice the house is completely dark except for the glow of the TV. I look at my watch; it’s only ten thirty. But, yeah, I guess that’s actually pretty late to be ringing the doorbell of a home with a sleeping child inside. Shoot, now I feel terrible.
“I didn’t wake up Levi, did I?” I ask, turning back around to follow Lucy into the kitchen after she takes the wine from my hands.
She chuckles quietly. “No. He’s with my mom tonight. And even if he wasn’t, he sleeps like a rock. I imagine I’ll have to dump cold water on him when he’s a teenager.”
Oh, so Levi’s not here. And neither is Drew. So that means…we’re alone in here?
Now I’m contemplating the wisdom of this late-night adventure as I track Lucy moving around her kitchen. Her bun is an enormous mess of auburn waves, her shirt is so big it’s nearly falling off her shoulder, and she’s wearing thick-rimmed glasses. And don’t forget the famous dinosaur sleep pants. She’s so freaking adorable I almost can’t handle it.
“I can feel you judging my outfit,” she says as she pours red liquid into two stemless wine glasses.
“Not judging.” I move to stand closer to her. “Admiring.”
She quirks her mouth into a skeptical grin and leans a hip against the counter. I watch her lips make contact with the glass as she takes a slow sip. “You’re so full of lines.”
I hold up a hand in the universal sign of scout’s honor. “I’ve never given you a single line. Only honesty.”
She’s looking for a way to call my bluff. Vast, deep blue eyes search mine then shift to my mouth, looking for any signs of a teasing smile. Back up to my eyes. She takes another sip and tips her chin toward her shoulder. “Okay, then maybe I’ll wear this little number to my next date if you think it’s attractive.”
Her words are a cheap shot to my gut. “Next? Are you going out with Ethan again?” From where I sat, it looked like both of them would have rather been at the dentist. Maybe I was wrong?
“Gosh, no. I now know firsthand how terrible it is to have to listen to someone drone on and on about their kid, but I had two more of Drew’s friends text me tonight asking if I’d like to go out sometime, so I can only imagine how many of them he gave my number to. I’m worried he’s trying to rival eHarmony.”
My teeth clench together. So, it’s not that Drew is against Lucy dating one of his friends; it’s strictly me he doesn’t want his sister going out with. Cool. That feels great and not at all messed up.