As much as I didn’t want to get up or shower again or even get dressed, I made myself do it. The reluctance to go to school was new, and Jake thought it had to do with the car. Maybe it did. Or maybe it was the fact I liked just being held, and we really couldn’t do that at school.
Making a face, I shoved off the bed. Better get started, or I’d never leave.
Coop leanedagainst the fridge when I came out, Jake had gotten dressed faster than I. In fact, he’d even brought clothes with him last night. I’d missed that part, the extra clothes in his backpack. His smirk had been almost adorable, as was the kiss he left me with in the bathroom before heading out to pour cereal.
The shit-eating grin Coop wore had my face heating. “Did you two have fun?”
“Don’t be an ass,” Jake warned as he passed me a cereal bowl.
“Hey,” Coop said, spreading his arms. “Genuine question here. We’re still BFFs, and Frankie needs someone to talk to about these things. You know, compare notes and get advice.”
Oh. My. God.
I stared at Coop, even as Jake thumped him. He didnotjust say that. Coop’s laughter filled the kitchen.
“Ass,” Jake muttered, then looked at me. “Ignore him.”
Still blushing, I said, “I planned to.” Then stuffed a spoonful of cereal in my mouth as Coop chuckled. He joined us at the table and hooked one of his feet against mine.
“You know you’re still my favorite,” he assured me. “Right?”
Jake snorted, but I had to smile.
“Yes,” I admitted. “I do.”
“And I’m always here if you need to confide in me. Especially if anyone isn’t up to snuff…”
“I am going to beat your ass,” Jake threatened without any real heat, and I laughed for real this time.
“Ha, see, I can still make her smile.” Coop winked at me. “Besides, Frankie and I have a date on Saturday.”
Saturday.
“Fuck.”
At the exclamation, they both stared at me and I winced.
“Sorry, Saturday. Cheryl is being really insistent that we go get Homecoming dresses together, and when I couldn’t come up with a better time, she decided Saturday at seven was perfect.” I winced again. “I can cancel on her,” I said. “But I kind of don’t want to, and at the same time, I do need a dress, but I said we could go out…”
“I’ll go with you.” Coop said. “Problem solved. We’ll find you a pretty dress, ditch the ditz, then go have fun on our own.”
“She’s not a ditz,” I argued. “And really? You’d go with me to pick out a dress?”
“Why not?” He propped his chin on his fist. “It’s hanging out with you, right? You need a dress. I get to see it before anyone else. Oh, I’m definitely in.”
On that sentence, Jake scowled. “I want to see it, too.”
“And you will,” Coop told him, almost smug. “After me.”
“Where are you going shopping?” Jake asked as he turned to me.
“Nope,” Coop said. “It’s also a date, that means…”
Means?
Jake made another face.
“What does it mean?”