Page 16 of Too Delicious

Oh, that’s it. I’m not taking any more shit. Owen will be nice to Cooper or there will be hell to pay. Even if nothing ever happens, romantically, he won’t ruin the friendship we’ve built.And also, Carter and Summer are a hot and heavy item, and Owen’s misgivings will tarnish everything.

“I’m not going to say it aloud, but try to rub your two brain cells together and figure it out.”

He blinks at me. “Oh…oh wait…you have the hots for that guy?”

It’s such a juvenile way to put things.

I decide to be a grownup and own it.

“It’s more than that. He could end up being your future brother-in-law.”

“Whoa. So y’all are really a thing?”

I nod, knowing that this isn’t true, but I’d rather have him think Cooper’s all in. I need him to back off. If he thinks Cooper and I are just friends, he will pull the big brother card and scare him away. If he thinks we’re an item, then it’s too late for him to say anything.

“But…but… he’s a creep!” Owen tries.

Wow. “And you’re being a jerk.”

I really hate it that I feel like crying whenever someone pisses me off.

He babbles on about being protective of me and of our town, and blah, blah, blah. “And you’ll ruin everything if you don’t be nice. For Summer’s sake, too.”

He blinks, taking this in.

The truth about Summer, and the little fib about Cooper and me, is working.

Finally, Owen lets all these facts (and one white lie) settle in. He knows he can’t control any of us and will regret it if he acts like a blustering big brother.

“Sorry, sis. I’ll do better.”

That night, after a successful soft launch of Little Spoon, Cooper walks me home.

“I think that went really well,” he says.

“Don’t sound so surprised,” I laugh.

We pass by Doyle and Maya’s house, and I think about what would have become of Doyle if Maya had never come to Fate. He’d probably be cooped up in that spooky old cavern of a house, eaten up with guilt over his past, and never speaking a word out loud to anyone.

The isolation was eating the poor guy alive. Things changed when Maya got involved and convinced him to go to therapy. He wasn’t the “Boo Radley” of Fate anymore.

Is that what would happen to Cooper if I continue to keep him at a distance? Would he hide himself away in his flashy mansion like a ghost, collecting toenail clippings and scaring the locals?

“I have to tell you something,” I say.

“Just one thing? It better be monumental.”

I roll my eyes. “I might have told my brother you and I are an item.”

Cooper is silent for a long moment as we walk. Summer humidity has passed, and it would be a lovely walk if I weren’t so guilty and nervous right now.

“Cool,” is all he says.

I’m surprised at this. “Cool? I thought you’d be mad that I lied.”

“Did you lie, though?” The mischief in his voice undercuts everything nice I was just thinking of him.

“Cooper!” I chastise.

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