Page 29 of Claws and Feathers

But, alas, she was also fractured. Her pieces were scattered, and Cooper didn’t know how to put her back together. He didn’t have that kind of power. So, he focused on her case instead.

Not on her smile. Not on the way her nose crinkled when she laughed. Not on her long, blonde hair that spilled down her back like a fine champagne.

And certainly not on thatlook.

Kate gave him her own look that screamed ‘you’re pathetic’ as she floated through the kitchen doors. He groaned in response. Then he sauntered back up to the bar counter just as Hannah was flirting up a storm with James, trying to reel him in with her kiwi perfume.

Cooper sighed. He couldn’t wait to get home and crawl into bed.

Abby stood at the edge of Cooper’s driveway the next morning filled with boundless nervous energy. She chewed on the inner lining of her cheek, her hands fidgeting in her pockets, and her knees practically quivering.

She’d been surprised to find out that Cooper owned the charming lakeside bungalow barely a mile away from Daphne’s house. She’d been surprised because his yard was meticulously maintained with lush grass and a breathtaking selection of perennials and greenery adorning the front yard. She’d wondered how Cooper found time for landscaping, considering he hardly had time for sleep. Then she’d discovered that Kate was to thank for his Martha Stewart property.

Abby allowed a smile to slip as she breathed in the flowery musk. Then she remembered why she was there and her stomach started doing flips again.

Her conversation with Maya had rattled her. She couldn’t stop thinking about it; she couldn’t help but feelguiltyfor feeling the way she did. And she was certain Cooper was well-aware of her schoolgirl crush. How could he not be? Infatuation was practically firing from her eyes every time they were within a few feet of each other. It was pathetic. Embarrassing.

Wrong.

That was why she needed to apologize. The last thing she wanted to do was instigate the gossip train and put Cooper’s career in jeopardy.

Abby swallowed her nerves and took slow, courageous steps up to his front stoop.

She gulped. Then she knocked.

Then… she waited.

Abby could hear footsteps on the other side of the door. She wrung her hands together as she nibbled on her lip.

The door swung open and she opened her mouth to speak.

But nothing came out. She was stunned into silence.

A woman answered the door in nothing but an oversized men’s t-shirt.

And not just any woman.

No… not just any woman.

Abby’s skin burned hot, her mind dizzy, her balance becoming unsteady. She reached for something to hold onto, but there was nothing, so she stumbled backwards.

The woman smiled, her perfect features warm and inviting. Always warm and inviting. “Abby,” she said sweetly.

Abby stared at her, feeling the ultimate sense of betrayal. “Maya.”

Chapter nine

Maya Lowry. Her psychiatrist. Her trusted confidante.

The woman who had never once mentioned having any kind of relationship with Cooper McAllister – let alone anintimateone.

Abby felt flustered and confused.

“Can I help you?” Maya asked, her tone dripping with exaggerated kindliness.

Abby tried to find her voice. She knew it was in there somewhere, muddled in between the simmering anger and shellshock. “Um… what are you doing here?”

She smiled. “What areyoudoing here?”

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