Page 42 of Craving Cooper

“No.” She shakes her head. “You wouldn’t let me have any.”

“It was your mom who wouldn’t let you have any, not me.”

“No,” Laurel says, stepping into their conversation, and taking one of Addy’s hands in hers. “Because ice cream for breakfast is not a habit we want to get into, is it, Brady?”

“No. It isn’t.” He stands again, the explanation of S-E-X clearly forgotten. Laurel’s moved to the other side of her daughter now, she and Brady each holding one of her hands, and Addy looks very satisfied with life… even if she didn’t get to have ice-cream for breakfast. “Is there a reason you didn’t tell me you were dating Mallory?” Brady asks, and I raise my head, looking at him, noting the teasing smile on his lips… damn him.

“I didn’t know I was.”

He frowns. “Why not? You asked her here, didn’t you?”

“Yes, but…” I stop talking, wishing I’d kept my mouth closed instead of painting myself into a corner.

“But what?” he says.

“I—I didn’t realize it was a date. Not when I asked her.”

“Don’t you like her in that way?” Laurel asks, looking concerned. “Don’t you think she’s attractive?”

“I think she’s beautiful.”

“But you still don’t like her?” Brady says, even though I think he already knows the answer to that question.

“I do.” Although I don’t think ‘like’ is a strong enough word for the feelings rolling around inside me. I’ve liked all sorts of people before and never felt like this.

“Then where is she?” he asks.

“She was here earlier, but she had a headache and went home.”

“And you didn’t go with her?” he says, frowning.

“I offered, but she said she was fine.”

He nods his head, although he doesn’t seem convinced by my reply, and rather than admit I’ve screwed up in more ways than one today, I turn back to Laurel.

“I still feel like there’s something you’re not telling me.”

“Oh?” She tries to look innocent, although it’s not working. I’ve never seen anyone look more uncomfortable in my life.

“Yes. I think you know why Mallory was excited about coming here with me… only you’re not saying.”

“No, I’m not.”

“Why?”

She bites on her bottom lip, like she’s trying not to smile. “Because it’s not for me to say, Cooper. You’ll have to ask Mallory yourself.”

How? How am I supposed to do that? I mean, it’s great that there’s a reason, especially as that reason seemed to make Laurel smile. But how am I supposed to phrase the question? I can hardly tell Mallory I’ve been discussing her with my best friend and his wife, can I? She’d be mortified, and she’d probably never confide in Laurel again. It wouldn’t be fair.

Even so, I’m dying to know what’s going on, and I don’t think I can wait another minute to find out…

Chapter Eleven

Mallory

My anger is slowly subsiding.

Either that, or I’m just too tired to go on being mad.

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