Page 33 of Touch Me (Complete Collection)

“I don’t have any cats.”

“The way you’re going, it’s only a matter of time, Jenny.”

Jenny smiled. “Don’t be ridiculous.”

“By the way, I think there’s something you should know.” When she had Jenny’s full attention, she scooted closer, her voice lowered to a whisper. “I was in the manager’s office this morning, and I overheard…” She gazed at Jenny, worry marking her features.

“What? You overheard what? You’re scaring me.”

Gracie sighed. “O’Malley trust is owned by…Farrell Corp.”

Jenny swallowed, her throat going dry. “What?”

“I didn’t want to upset you, Jen. But I thought you should know.”

“Yeah!” Jenny fought back tears, grabbing her bag and walking speedily out of the bank.

**

Cooper slid into his car and slipped his key into the ignition. A sound from his right made him turn and the passenger side door opened. “What the?” Then he realized it wasn’t a mugger.

“Jenny?”

“Hi, Cooper!” she almost shrieked breathlessly.

He inhaled hastily, his eyes roving over her face. “What happened? Are you alright?”

Jenny’s lower lip trembled as she battled the sobs from erupting from her chest. Even when she deserved nothing but distaste, he was still worried about her.

“I’m alright, boss.” When Cooper just furrowed his eyebrows, she unsteadily spoke again. “You own O’Malley trust.”

Cooper looked away. “Is there anything else you have to say? Because I’m in a hurry.”

“I’ll go with you.” She sat straighter, securing the seatbelt across herself.

He turned, finally getting angry. “Go where? I’m going home…to my place. You should go home…to your place.”

“No, take me to your place,” she cried stubbornly.

“What- get out of my car!”

“No!” Jenny shouted, and Cooper saw the tears, the dampness on her eyelashes.

She had been crying. Wordlessly, he put the car into gear and they pulled out of basement parking, out into the last filtering streaks of dusk.

They rode in silence until Cooper’s apartment building came into view. He finally turned to her determinedly. “Can I drop you off somewhere?”

“No.”

He stopped the car, turning to face her. “What kind of childishness is this now? Can’t you just grow up? You’re pissing me off and this is not the first damn time. I can’t deal with this immaturity anymore.”

Jenny’s heart warped excruciatingly. He’s being rude. Is he over me? Has he forgotten me already? Has he found someone else?

“Is there someone else at your apartment?”

Cooper slapped his hand onto the steering wheel and Jenny jumped. “Enough! Enough of these assumptions…these asinine thoughts that just pop into your little brain and you speak them out loud. I can’t even dignify them with a response anymore.”

“Why are you so mad at me?” she cried.

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