Page 2 of Craving Cooper

He ends the call and puts the phone on the table in front of him, rolling his eyes as he smiles at me.

He’s my idea of the perfect man, even if he belongs to someone else. And although he’s wearing dark blue scrubs and looks exhausted, I still think he’s adorable.

“Is everything okay?” I ask, unwilling to let him go just yet, even though he doesn’t seem to be in any hurry to leave.

“It’s fine. It’s just that Brady and Laurel are moving house this weekend, and in a moment of madness, or possibly drunkenness – I can’t remember which – I volunteered to help.”

I’ve heard of Brady. He’s the town’s sheriff, and everyone here knows who he is. As for Laurel, I’ve never met her… but that could be said of many people in Hart’s Creek. Unless they’ve been here to see Cooper in a professional capacity, and sat where he is now, waiting their turn, I’m unlikely to have met them at all.

“Is it going to be a problem?” I tilt my head, leaning forward and resting my elbows on my desk, gazing into his chocolate-colored eyes.

He stares at me for a second and then shakes his head. “It shouldn’t be. Although Brady’s panicking.”

“Why?”

“Because he’s realized we might not get it all done in one day. It’ll be his own fault if we don’t. He could have made things a lot simpler if he’d just moved the contents of his house into Laurel’s first.”

“Excuse me?”

He sits forward himself. “They both have their own houses. Brady lived alone in his for years, pining for Laurel…”

“Pining?” I can’t fail to notice the slight smile on his lips, and he switches it up to a grin, which makes my skin tingle.

“Yeah. It’s a long story.”

“The result of which is, they’re together, and they’re moving two houses into one?”

“Yes… all on the same day.”

I see the predicament now. “Would you like some help?” I ask, the words falling from my lips before I’ve even had the chance to think them through… probably because I’m too busy concentrating on where that tingling sensation is going.

He tips his head to one side, his eyes boring into mine, which only makes things worse. “Seriously? You’d be willing to help?”

“Of course.” My offer may have been impetuous, but if it means I’ll get to spend some time with Cooper, what could be better?

He shakes his head, and my heart sinks. “No,” he says. “I couldn’t ask that of you.”

“In case you didn’t notice, I offered.” I wonder if my willingness is coming over as desperation, or whether he’s guessed my ulterior motive and doesn’t want me there… his loyalty to Meredith overcoming his friends’ need for help. I hope that’s not the case, but either way, I can’t give in now. “And besides, what else am I gonna do with my weekend?” Laundry?

“Well… if you’re sure,” he says, with a more encouraging smile.

“I’m positive. Just tell me where you want me.” I glance down at the desk, thinking its smooth surface would be just fine with me. If we cleared away my keyboard and notepad, and the little pot of pens, I could lie out along it and let him…

“I’m due to be at Laurel’s place at eight-thirty in the morning,” he says, shattering my illusion.

“Okay. If you give me the address, I’ll meet you there.”

He shakes his head. “You don’t need to do that. I can drive us both.”

“If that’s all right with you.”

He nods and checks his watch. “Of course it is. But at the risk of being rude, I’d better go. Meredith will be here in a minute.”

“I—Is she still coming for the weekend?” Don’t tell me I’ve volunteered to help and I’m going to wind up spending the day watching Cooper and Meredith canoodling? It doesn’t bear thinking about.

“No. She’ll only be here for tonight.” He stands, grabbing his phone, which he puts into his pocket, before he comes right up to my desk, resting his hands on the edge and leaning over, so his face is only a few inches from mine as I gaze up at him, struggling to breathe. “Unlike you, she wasn’t so amenable about helping my best friend, so she’ll be leaving again in the morning.”

“She’s not gonna stay here and wait for you… until you get back, I mean?”

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