Cooper tried not to let the food in his stomach sour. Something about the smirk his boss leveled at him grossed him out. Now, instead of wishing for Andi to hurry her ass up, he was hoping she took her time so he could get rid of Marty before he had to let the guy leer at her. He was exactly the kind of man who’d make her less comfortable going to the bathroom without a chaperone next time.
While Cooper ordinarily would have gone into the men’s room himself and continued their discussion there—or used typical man rules to shut Marty up while they pissed—there was no way he would be anywhere but right where Andi had left him when she came out of the bathroom, expecting him to be there for her.
So he gritted his teeth when Marty whipped his gaze to the opening door. His eyes widened and he shifted not-so-subtly, rearranging his package.
Cooper had to force his hands to stay relaxed instead of balling into fists. Thank God Reed wasn’t there, or they’d probably be holding him back right then. Beating up a lawyer was an indulgence they couldn’t afford yet. A hell of a lot more expensive than springing for a romantic evening, he was sure.
“Okay, I’m ready. Let’s get out of here,” Andi said as she strode to him and held out her hand. It tugged at his heart that she didn’t even notice Marty, her gaze fixed on Cooper instead.
“Aren’t you going to introduce me to this lovely lady first?” Marty spoke up a little too loud, startling Andi.
She covered it well, relaxing her shoulders and smoothing her features before turning to the other man with a smile. “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize you two knew each other.”
Yet, she stayed plastered to Cooper’s side, waiting for him to elaborate.
“Andi, this is my boss. You’ve heard me talk about Mr. Schone. Marty, I mean.” He kept hold of her, for some reason not wanting her to extend her hand or approach the other man. Jealousy? Maybe, but he didn’t usually roll that way. After all, he happily shared Andi with his two best friends. “Marty, this is my girlfriend, Andi Miller.”
That was the truth. Just not all of it.
No one needed to know more than that. In fact, they hadn’t really defined their connection. Maybe they needed to talk about it. Things were serious after the past year they’d spent advancing their friendships into something far deeper.
Cooper loved Andi, and he knew Reed and Simon did, too.
Were they risking their relationship by not spelling it out?
“What a lucky bastard you are.” Marty stepped close, but Cooper angled his shoulder so it wedged between his boss and Andi. “Why don’t you have a picture of her on your desk? That certainly would brighten up the office.”
“I’ll be sure to bring one in.” Cooper would definitely not be doing that, no matter what he said to placate the guy. He didn’t need Marty peeping on Andi every time he stopped by to drop off a case file that needed to be researched. Hell fucking no. “Well, we should let you go so you don’t keep your date waiting—wouldn’t want to ruin your chances or anything.”
Cooper couldn’t care less if Marty didn’t get any that night. In fact, he wondered if the woman he’d left out in the dining room wasn’t counting her blessings, having a moment to herself to digest her food in peace.
“Good call.” Marty grinned. “This is why you’re at the top of your class. We’re lucky to have you at the firm.”
“Thank you,” Cooper said, wondering if he was going to have to find somewhere else to work if things with Marty went south. He had to walk a fine line. He needed the credit from his apprenticeship so he could finish his master’s degree and sit for the bar exam. Otherwise, the years of education and the student loans that came along with them, would be for nothing.
Andi saved the day. “It was nice to meet you. I hope you don’t mind if I steal my boyfriend away now.” She waved without waiting for a response, then began to stray farther down the hall, polite yet aloof. Was it because she didn’t like meeting new people anymore, or because she didn’t like Marty specifically? She had good instincts, even better ones since last year.
Cooper might have asked her except once they were out of earshot from Marty and ensconced in the car, Simon flashed Cooper a thumbs-up and Reed nodded. The guys were obviously onboard with Operation Hotel Romp.
“Change of plans, Andi,” Reed said, drawing her attention before she could ask about what had obviously been an awkward situation back at the restaurant.
“Hmm?” She sank into the seat, relaxed now that she was surrounded by them and only them.
“Remember that place downtown that hosted your science department awards every year?” Simon blurted, obviously too excited to wait for Reed to fill Andi in.
“Yeah. I felt like an imposter even walking inside. Everything was so damn shiny and gorgeous. I can’t believe some people live like that. What about it?” She tipped her head slightly to one side.
“Guess who has a reservation for the top-floor suite, complete with an in-room jetted tub and a couple of bottles of champagne?”
“Us?” She lifted her hand to her mouth, her freshly painted nails twinkling in the light from the street lamps. “You guys…”
“We’re the best; we know.” Simon grinned.
“You are.” She blinked rapidly then. “Thank you. For tonight. For everything. For being with me.”
“That’s our pleasure, Andi. All ours.” Reed reached over to squeeze her hand, then put the car in gear, driving them to where they would undoubtedly share one of the best nights of their lives.