Page 38 of Can We Just Be Happy Now?

“I don’t think Cooper has that.”

“No. Neither do I. But while he’s older than you, he still hasn’t had time to grow into himself, to discover all the things he needs and wants and craves in life. No one or nothing but time can reveal that. And even with time, there’s no guarantee you’d see it if the person is your whole world, if you haven’t given yourself the time and space to find yourself outside of them too.”

I can't think of anything Cooper does now that would be considered a red flag, but maybe it's like Dad is saying–we can’t see things in the moment, through the love. “So, you think this is the right choice?”

“I do. There’s no need to be in a rush to grow up. Just spend these next two years enjoying high school and college once you get there. Make the most of it because you can’t get this time back. You have the rest of your life for the settling down part.”

“Okay, I can do that. Thanks, Dad.” I want Cooper to make the most of college, so it only makes sense that I should do the same with my time.

“You’re welcome, pumpkin.” He pulls me from my chair and into a hug. “Everything is going to be okay. You’ll see.”

I hope he’s right.

Chapter twenty-one

COOPER

THEN

Sliding into the booth on the same side as Sophie, I fling my arm around her shoulder, singing the nonsense words from “We Go Together” far louder than I should in a restaurant even if it is ‘50s themed. This diner has been a go-to for us since I could drive–another one of my and Sophie’s “spots.” We haven’t been on a dinner date since we went out with Troy and Emily a few weeks ago, but we come here for lunch at least once a week. Before we got together, we celebrated big and small accomplishments for either of us with cinnamon roll french toast, but now we don’t wait for a reason. Maybe it looked that way before, but anyone looking in on us now must see how fucking cute we look as a couple.

I turn to my girlfriend with a grin on my face and lean in to kiss her. She pulls back right as my mouth is about to land on hers.

I freeze.

She doesn’t look happy to see me.

“I’m sorry, baby. Did my singing embarrass you?” I chuckle. “How can I make it up to you? Strawberry milkshake?” I prefer chocolate, and Sophie is a strawberry girl, but somehow we compromised with vanilla. I glance at the black tablecloth covered in cherries completely clear of anything. It’s actually odd that she hasn’t ordered one yet since I’m a few minutes late and she likes to drink our shake first.

She doesn’t respond. Instead, she looks to where her fingers are picking at the fabric of her sundress in her lap.

“What’s wrong?” I reign in my good mood. When her gaze meets mine, her eyes are full of tears. “Soph, hey, are you okay?” I twist slightly on the red booth bench so I’m facing her. I rub my thumb across her bare shoulder. She flinches. What the hell is going on?

“I think we should break up.” Her voice is barely above a whisper.

“Excuse me, what?” I laugh. “That’s not a funny joke, Sophie.” I relax, knowing she’s playing around and turn to look for the waitress. Sophie’s hand lands on my forearm, drawing my attention back to her.

“I’m not joking.”

My eyes search hers, my eyebrow furrowing. “What is happening right now?”

“We’re breaking up . . .” she says again in an unsure whisper.

She’s unsure. Of course she is because this is a joke. “Our relationship is perfect. Why would we break up?”

“You’re about to start college, Cooper. It’s time we stop ignoring that.”

“Uhhhh. I didn’t think we were. We talk about it all the time. It’s not like I’m going out of state. I’m literally ten minutes from you.”

“I know, but–”

“But what, Sophie?” I’m vaguely aware we are in public and attempt to remain calm.

“It’s going to be hard. You’re going to be busy with school and your fraternity. I want you to have fun and not be worried about your high school girlfriend.”

“Why would I be worried? I have fun with you.” She’s brought up a few concerns before but nothing I was worried about.

“It’s not the same and you know it.” Her foot stomps under the table.

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