Page 19 of Craving Cooper

“I don’t even know what it is,” I said, shrugging my shoulders.

He smiled. “It’s a new TV show that started two weeks ago.”

“Is it any good?”

“I should hope so. It was written by Walker Holt.”

“Oh… I know that name.”

“You should,” Cooper said with a smile. “He’s a patient of mine, and so is his wife.”

“You mean he lives here?”

“Yes. In one of the big houses on the other side of town.”

“And what Brady isn’t saying,” Laurel said, “is that his name was mentioned in the credits as a technical adviser.”

Cooper laughed, almost dropping his fork. “Seriously? How did Walker swing that?”

“I don’t know,” Brady said. “I didn’t even realize he was gonna do it. But he called me the day before yesterday and told me the production company wants him to write a second season, so I’m thinking of charging for my time now.”

“What’s the going rate for technical advice these days?” Cooper asked, trying not to smile.

“I don’t know. Why? Are you thinking of asking if he needs any ideas from a washed-out dentist?”

“Less of the washed-out, if you don’t mind. I’ll take has-been, but not washed-out.”

They both laughed, and we all joined in… even Addy, although I don’t think she understood the joke. It was nice to feel a part of their friendship, and I looked around, relishing the idea of belonging for the first time in my life. It was warming, and I couldn’t help enjoying the moment, although it was only transient, because I knew I didn’t belong there… not really. I was a temporary guest. On any other day, my place would have been taken by Meredith, and that thought made me sad… sadder than I would have thought possible.

“Are you okay?” Cooper said, leaning a little closer to me, and lowering his voice.

I nodded my head, unable to speak, knowing I meant nothing to him, while he meant everything to me… and that life could be brutally unfair sometimes.

Addy’s tired after we’ve finished eating, which isn’t at all surprising, and Laurel takes her straight up to bed, returning by the time we’ve cleared away the dishes.

“She’s already asleep,” she says, letting out a sigh.

“We should go, too.” Cooper puts down the glass he’s been holding and turns to me, raising his eyebrows. I’m not about to argue. Aside from feeling tired, I’ve intruded long enough.

“You’d don’t have to,” Brady says.

“Yeah, we do. You guys need to be alone, and we’re both exhausted.”

Brady smiles. “We can’t thank you enough,” he says, Laurel coming over to stand beside him. He puts his arm around her, looking down at her before he turns his attention to me. “Especially you, Mallory. I’m sure you didn’t sign up for this when you offered to help.”

“No, she didn’t,” Cooper says, giving me a friendly nudge, which hurts more than he’ll ever know. He’ll never understand why, though, so I smile up at him.

“We’re really grateful.” I turn to Laurel as she speaks and notice the kindness in her eyes. It makes me wonder if she’s seen through my façade. “Don’t be a stranger, will you?” I shake my head, wondering how I can be anything else.

We make our way to the front door, where we say goodbye, their thanks becoming profuse, before Cooper shows me to his car, helping me into the passenger seat. I watch him as he walks around to the driver’s side, checking his phone as he does, before putting it away in his back pocket. He calls out something to Brady, who laughs, putting his arm around Laurel, and giving us a wave.

“That was a tiring day,” he says, sitting beside me and fastening his seat belt. I do the same with mine and smile up at him. “Thanks for helping, though.”

“I didn’t mind. I enjoyed it. Although I’m looking forward to a shower and sleeping all night, and for the entire day tomorrow.”

He laughs. “Me, too.”

“So, you’re not seeing Meredith?” The words leave my lips before I can stop them, and I’m grateful it’s too dark for him to notice the blush creeping up my cheeks. “Sorry,” I mumble. “It’s none of my business. I shouldn’t have…”

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