Page 38 of Craving Cooper

“Is something wrong?” I ask.

“Not really. It’s just we’ve taken on a new junior reporter and I thought he’d be up to the task of covering the Fall Festival.” He sucks in a breath, letting it out slowly as he takes Taylor’s hand in his and kisses the palm. “It looks like I was wrong.” They move away, and although I watch them go, I can’t see that the young man is doing anything obviously wrong. I guess they know what they’re doing, though.

“They waited,” I murmur, once we’re alone, and Cooper turns to face me, looking down into my eyes.

“Waited? What for?”

“To get pregnant. Nate said it had been five months since they got married, and there’s no way Taylor’s five months pregnant.”

“No. But I imagine she’s three months or so.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. I can’t believe they’d have told us if they’d only found out this morning. They’d have waited a while. It’s what most people do… at least in my limited experience.”

“It seems most people around here are quite romantic, too,” I say.

“Some are.” His reply is a little disappointing. I’d hoped he might take the bait, but it seems not… although I refuse to be defeated and I move a little closer.

“They like babies, too.”

“Some do.”

“Don’t you?” I ask, although he doesn’t reply, and I lower my head, wondering if my questions are getting a little too personal for him. I don’t see why I shouldn’t be allowed to ask personal questions, though. It’s not as though we’re at work, and he asked me to come here with him today. What did he think we’d do? Discuss cavities and extractions all afternoon?

I can’t think what else to say, and I look up again, noticing that he’s staring into the distance, over my shoulder. I turn, my eyes falling straight onto Meredith Sims.

His ex.

She’s standing behind a display of her art, which is enough to put me off looking for too much longer… as is the fact that she’s kissing another man. Or, to be more precise, she’s all over another man. They’re practically ripping each other’s clothes off, and I wonder if I should suggest they get a room. It might lighten the suddenly tense atmosphere. I look back up at Cooper, surprised by the pained expression on his face.

What’s that about?

He must have realized Meredith would be here. Surely.

They only broke up a week ago, so he must have been aware that she was planning to come… although I doubt he knew she’d be here with another man. A man who’s currently pawing her ass.

Should I say something? Maybe suggest we move somewhere else? I’m wondering how to phrase that when Meredith pulls back from the other man and turns, her eyes locking on Cooper and me. She frowns, and then her face falls. At exactly the same moment, he steps closer to me, and I glance up to see a smile touch at his lips.

It only takes me a second to work it out and to realize what’s going on here. Laurel was wrong. I’m not a hot date. I’m a goddamn trophy.

I step back from Cooper, and even though my throat feels like it’s closing over, and I’m struggling to breathe, I look up at him.

“I—I’m going.”

He startles, dragging his eyes away from his ex and focusing on me.

“Going? Going where?”

“Home. I—I’ve got a headache.” It’s in my chest. In the place where my heart used to be, before you ripped it out.

He steps closer, a look of fake concern filling his eyes. “I’ll come with you.”

“No!” I raise my voice, but then see the surprise in his eyes and calm myself. “I’m fine, really,” I say.

I don’t give him a chance to reply, but turn, trying not to stumble as the view before me blurs, and I pick up my pace, making my way back to the clinic.

I fumble with the lock, letting myself in, and climb the stairs, running up the last few to let myself into my apartment, slamming the door behind me.

---