Page 77 of Can We Just Be Happy Now?

“Cooper.” Her free hand flies to her chest. “How long have you been standing there?”

“Long enough to know you’re completely lost in another universe.” I laugh.

“Yeah. You always pick a good book for me.” She smiles.

“Soph, you give me a list.”

She shrugs. “Still.”

I take the few steps to her bed–intentionally leaving the door open in case her mom comes to check–and crawl across the flowered comforter until I’m hovering over her. Her book is between us, a finger pinched between the pages to save her place. I pull it from her hand, reaching to slide in the bookmark from her nightstand before setting the book aside.

Instead of following my movements, her eyes stay locked on me. “What are you doing here?” she asks, knowing we didn’t have set plans. It’s been a few weeks since her birthday, and we both agreed to take things slow. Staying true to our word of getting to know each other again, we’ve spent most of these first few weeks of summer skating, talking, and kissing–I can only resist her so much.

“You’re so beautiful, Sophie,” I whisper, putting my weight on my forearm so I can slide my other hand through her uncurled hair. I love seeing her this way–no sundress, no makeup, no curls–the way no one else gets to see her.

“Stop.” She blushes and throws her arms over her face.

I laugh and place a kiss on her arm. “Come on.”

“Where?” She peeks out from behind her shield.

“Not telling. It’s a surprise. Pack an overnight bag. Oh, and throw in those spandex shorts you wear under your dress when it’s windy out. And a sports bra.” Her brows crinkle. “Don’t you trust me?”

“Yeah . . .”

“Then, get up. Do what I’m telling you!” I grin, hopping off the bed and reaching my hands for hers.

“Okay, okay.” She slides off after me, her bare feet landing on her fuzzy white rug. “Why do I need an overnight bag? I should probably talk to Mom.”

“Already did.”

Her eyes go wide as they snap to me from where she’s digging through her dresser. “She’s okay with it?”

“I promised her no sex.”

“Stop. You did not tell her that.”

I chuckle. “Sure did.” Sophie’s shock is replaced by a pout. I invade her space, pulling the shorts from her hand and setting them back inside the open drawer, and wrap my arms around her. “I want you. So badly I have dreams about it.”

“You do?” she whispers.

“Of course I do,” I say like it should be obvious. “But we’re not ready yet.”

“It doesn’t have to be perfect, Cooper. It just has to be you.”

I fight the urge to carry her to the bed. “For starters, it will be perfect because it’s you and me. But I’ve wanted this for a long time, and I think once we start, we won’t be able to stop. I want our relationship to be about more than sex. You’re the only girl it’s ever felt like I can have both a physical and emotional connection with. I want to make sure it stays that way.”

I know I’ve said the right thing when her eyes fill with adoration for me. I squeeze her tight to my chest, kissing her hair.

“I hate that you’re making this decision for me,” she says. “But I know you’re right.”

“Good,” I say, pulling back. “Now, let’s go!”

Chapter forty-six

SOPHIE

THEN

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