Page 40 of The Off-Limits Rule: Extended Edition

“What are you doing?” I ask, mystified and chuckling.

“Climb on,” he says, gesturing toward his feet, but my stomach swoops as it interprets his statement in a completely different way that is not at all park appropriate. I shove that thought away and watch silently as this man who I once thought was nothing but a token flirt raises his hands up in the air, waiting for me to stand and take them.

“You’re kidding,” I say, darting a nervous glance around the park at anyone who might be watching. Not to mention my little boy, who is chanting for me to doit.

“Don’t look around. Look at me. I’m not kidding.” He wiggles his big fingers at me.Wiggles them!I didn’t even know a man like Cooper was capable of such a silly movement. “Don’t tell me you’re scared of airplanes too?” he asks, a small, teasing grin on his mouth.

I can’t help but chuckle at this whole situation. “I love flying in airplanes.”

“Okay then, hop on. You shouldn’t have to miss out on all the fun.”

Again, that emotional fizziness hits my heart because I’m so used to providing everything for everyone around me that I do miss out on a lot. And it’s in this moment that I know Cooper would never be the type of man to take the sweater from my back to keep himself warm.

“Go, Mom!” Levi urges, looking at me like he’ll disown me if I don’t do this.

Cooper kicks off his shoes and then shoots his socked feet up in the air once again. I want to snap a picture and post it on social media. I’m willing to bet no one would believe this sight.

And then, because I want to experience fun too, I do it. I go over to Cooper, intertwine my fingers with his, palm to palm, and situate my abdomen against his feet. I get one delicious smile from Cooper, his head half on the blanket and half in the grass, before he tenses his abdominal muscles and flies me into the air.

I’m hovering above Cooper, squealing like a little baby girl and cackling with laughter. Cooper holds me up there until my stomach is aching and he tells me to let go of his hands and balance. I don’t even hesitate this time. I let go and do as he says, because I’m high on dopamine. Because I trust him.

I’m sure we look like the most ridiculous, annoying people in the world, but I don’t care. I’m having the time of my life, and Levi is enjoying the sight of me being silly so much that he rolls onto the ground, laughing so hard I wouldn’t be surprised if he pees his pants. It’s the best sound I’ve ever heard. A close second, however, is the sound of Cooper’s full deep laugh filtering through the breeze. I turn my gaze down and take in the sight of the most attractive man I’ve ever seen. His mouth is creased on either side from his deep smile, and his bright white teeth shine up at me, not a hint of the smooth flirty guy with lines from the boat in sight.

And somehow I know, this is the real Cooper James. This is him at his absolute happiest. It’s right there in his eyes. And as he sets my feet back on the ground but doesn’t immediately let go of my hand, I feel it in his touch too.

Chapter 17

Lucy

After ice cream, Levi invited Cooper back to the house for lunch (PB&J sandwiches). I told him Cooper was probably way too busy, giving Cooper more than enough chances to politely excuse himself, but he just gave me a dramaticpshhhhand said he never turns down a good PB&J.

On the way home, Cooper noticed my check oil light was on and asked how long it had been since the oil had been changed. I replied with, “What’s an oil change?” so he stopped in at the auto supply shop and bought me a few bottles of oil.

At home, I made sandwiches while the men got to work on the car, and when I walked outside with a tray of lunch, I nearly passed out. In another life, I dropped the tray and it clanged dramatically on the ground. Because when Cooper slid out from under my vehicle, his shirt was off, and I couldn’t keep my eyes from sliding down every single one of his tanned, cut muscles. Cooper’s body is all large shoulders and defined pecs, tapering down to a six-pack and rippling obliques, with just the tiniest sprinkle of hair in thecenter of his chest. Somehow, seeing him standing there in jeans, no shirt, and a backward baseball cap, it felt downright dirty. I almost suggested he donate his body to science, because when they finally get the cloning thing figured out, he needs to be the one they replicate.

As if that wasn’t enough of a sight to behold, he helped Levi out from under the car, andhe toohad his shirt off. The two of them stood there, hands on their hips, a lovely example of opposites. One was all hard body and sun-kissed skin, the other the little dough boy with an adorable round stomach pooching out over his Spiderman underwear waistband. It was too much. And honestly, my heart ached at the sight of it. Partly because Levi looked so proud and happy, but also because there’s a very real chance that all of this wonderfulness will go poof and disappear as quickly as it arrived.

Cooper and I are not a couple, and he’s the most desirable, sought-after bachelor in town (I’m assuming, because…look at him). It might be fun for him to play house with me today, but the day in and day out of being a parent is not all kicks and giggles like this. I just can’t picture a man like him, one who has everything to offer, choosing to settle down and jump right into afamily manrole.

Which is why now, as I’m standing in the kitchen, rinsing the plates, I try to avoid replaying any memories of this day. And I certainly try to ignore Cooper when he walks in (still shirtless) and leans back against the counter directly beside me. I wish I found his confidence repellent. I wish the cocky grin he flashes me because heknowshe looks good in this pose, with his arms crossed and biceps bulging, didn’t make my stomach twist into a salty little pretzel.

“You’re busy in here,” he says, and I only allow myself one tiny glance at him before focusing my attention back on the dishes.

“Yep. Busy, busy. Lots of work for us moms.”

He reaches over and cuts the water off, gaze burning into my face. He doesn’t say anything, just stares, waiting for me to make eye contact with him.

I finally do with a dramatic what-do-you-want-now face, and he grins. “You can see your reflection in that plate you’ve been polishing for the last ten minutes. Why don’t you put it down and come build Legos with us?”

Because I don’t want to. I can’t. It’s too domestic, and I’m starting to see that inviting Cooper into our life like this was averybad idea. He fits too well but won’t want to stay, and now I will judge every other man against this perfect specimen, and it’s just not fair.

Thankfully, I don’t have to tell him anything because I’m saved by my phone buzzing on the counter. Cooper looks over his shoulder and picks it up, unashamedly reading the caller ID before handing it to me. “Unknown number. Probably just a telemarketer.”

Probably, but I will buy fifty of whatever they are selling just to be able to avoid this conversation with Cooper, so I answer with an exuberant “Hello!”

“Hey, is this Lucy?” a man asks.

“Yep, it’s me.”

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