Page 20 of Craving Cooper

“It’s fine,” he says, starting the engine and turning the car around. “We had a big fight this morning, and based on her stony silence, I’d say she’s not talking to me at the moment.”

“You could talk to her, couldn’t you? I mean, you could make the first move.”

He shrugs his shoulders, checking the traffic and pulling out onto Main Street. “That’s not really my style.”

I’m surprised by that. He seems like a ‘first move’ kind of guy to me, but I’m not about to say that out loud and embarrass myself even further.

“I guess at least you’ll get some rest tomorrow.”

He glances at me, and I’d swear there’s something of a twinkle in his eyes, which could be the streetlights, I guess. Although it occurs to me that my words might have implied that Meredith doesn’t let him get any rest when she’s with him, and I feel my blush deepening.

Fortunately, he has to concentrate on pulling around behind the clinic and parking his car next to mine, which is an achievement in itself in the dark. He manages it easily, though, turning off the engine.

Neither of us says a word, and I make a point of getting out of the car before he has the chance to come around to help me.

“Brady and Laurel seem very happy together,” I say as we start our walk around to the front of the building. It seems like a safer topic than anything related to him and Meredith… or me. “It was like they belonged there.”

“In a way, I suppose Laurel does,” he says, looking down at me. “She grew up in Cedar Street.”

“In that house?”

“No. And they haven’t moved back there because of any sentimental attachment. It just happened that the house came onto the market at the right time.”

I nod my head. “So it all worked out?”

“Yeah, and at least now they should be able to put the past behind them and build a future together. It’s what they both want.” I look up at him, surprised by how serious he sounds, and he glances down at me, tipping his head. “I seem to be telling you everyone’s secrets today, don’t I?”

“I don’t know. Do you?”

“It looks that way, but I know you won’t let it go any further.” I smile, relieved he’s not repeating his mistake of this morning.

“Let what go any further? Do you mean Laurel’s story? About her husband?”

“No. I mean, that Brady and Laurel are trying to get pregnant.”

I can’t help smiling, although I’m not altogether surprised. “That’s lovely, isn’t it?” Cooper seems unsure and I feel I have to ask, even if it’s none of my business.

“It would be, if Brady could stop stressing about it.”

“Why is he stressing? Doesn’t he want them to have a baby together?”

“Yeah… more than anything. But it’s not happening, so…”

“Oh, I see. And he’s surprised? With everything they’ve had going on?”

He looks down at me, slowing the pace as we come up to the door of the clinic. “That’s roughly what I told him.”

“Then hopefully he’ll listen.”

He smiles, letting us inside.

The change of atmosphere, coming in out of the chilly night air, makes us both shudder slightly, and as there doesn’t seem to be anything more to say about Brady and Laurel, we head up the stairs, Cooper letting me lead the way.

I by-pass his door, but he stops me after just a couple of paces.

“I know Brady and Laurel have already thanked you for everything you did today, but I wanted to say I’m really grateful, too.”

“You don’t have to be… although the thought of climbing another flight of stairs is a little depressing.”

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