Page 94 of Can We Just Be Happy Now?

THEN

Cooper, 20; Sophie, 18

Dad hands me a pair of chopsticks when the server places my bowl of ramen on the table in front of me. “How was your architect major meetup today?” I’m excited I have already declared my major, although I think it’s been inevitable since I was seven and refused to use anything as a coloring sheet besides copies of floor plans that Mr. Montgomery would bring home from work.

“It was good,” I say, breaking my chopsticks apart and adjusting them in my hand. “A bunch of freshman design majors were there too.” I dip my chopsticks into my broth, coming up with a scoop of noodles. It’s nice they have this get together the week before school so I can get comfortable before classes start.

“That’s great, honey,” Mom chimes in. “I’m glad you’re . . .” Her eyes shift to the space behind Dad and me, her words trapped in her wide open mouth.

Dad and I turn simultaneously. A lady stands behind us, but I have no idea who she is. The judgment hits me that she looks kind of homely–her fake blonde hair is a little greasy and stringy. Her clothes look like they’re designer and might have been an expensive, latest-trend at one point, but years of wear have destroyed them. She’s close enough I can smell the cigarette smoke that’s fused into the fabric.

“Mary,” Dad spits.

Wait, Mary? That’s the name of his ex-wife, the lady who he married right out of high school. She developed a gambling addiction and stole all of his money.

“Hey, Jack,” she seems unbothered by his venom. “It’s nice to see you. It’s been a while.”

“Not long enough,” Dad mutters under his breath.

“You must be Diane.” Mary addresses my mom as I sit there bewildered, taking in the scene. Her gaze shifts to me. “Which must make you Sophie.”

Please never let me be so crazy that I stalk my ex’s family–I send out the silent prayer, although I doubt Cooper will ever be my ex again and I already know everything about his family. I nod out of instinct and politeness.

“You have no right to talk to my daughter. See yourself out, Mary.”

Her eyes go wide at his attack as my mom scolds him with his name.

Dad ignores his wife, shooting daggers at his ex until she backs away toward the door.

“Jack, that was a little harsh don’t you think?” Mom berates him.

“No. Harsh is her ruining my life.” Dad has only ever talked about his ex-wife as a tale of caution. Every time Dean went to a school dance or had a date, he’d stop him on the way out the door and remind him to be careful. I always thought it was a tad dramatic. The way he speaks is like a teenager whose life has been “ruined” by a trivial thing.

“Your life looks pretty great from where I’m sitting,” Mom replies calmly.

“You know what I meant.” He turns to me. “That witch right there is exactly why you don’t rush anything, Sophie. It’s why you take your time to separate love from infatuation so you end up with what and who you truly want.” It’s been a while since he’s shared this insight, and this time it has more bite than it ever has.

“Don’t scare her, Jack.”

“It’s okay, Mom. I think after eighteen years of knowing Cooper I’d know if my feelings are real, Dad.”

“Years aren’t the only factor. Age and experience matter too, Sophie. Some things you can’t know until you’ve had real world experience. I don’t want you to end up like me.”

“With an awesome kid?” I grin, brushing off his concern. Cooper is definitely not anything like that. Mom and I both scoop another bite of ramen up with our chopsticks and Dad catches on to the fact that we won’t be entertaining him.

Chapter fifty-eight

SOPHIE

THEN

Cooper: Just got to Mom and Dad’s. Be over in a sec. Can’t wait to see you.

My heart flutters at the text. It’s been two days since Cooper and I had sex for the first time, and he’s been so busy at work with his dad, I haven’t seen him since. It’s been impossible to stop thinking about what happened, about us–how close I feel to him and how much closer I constantly want to be.

Me: Wait there. Meet me in your room.

He doesn’t reply, but three minutes later I open his bedroom door slowly to find him sitting on the edge of his bed.

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