Page 67 of Claws and Feathers

She nodded, digging her fork into the mole-covered tortillas. “She was all I had for a long time. Nana was fiercely protective of me, but she also taught me how to be independent. She knew she couldn’t be with me forever. I owe her a lot.”

Cooper maintained eye contact as he took a bite. He grinned. “Damn. That’s good.”

“Thanks,” she said, humbly ducking her head. “I think it’s the entire reason Daphne offered me a place to stay. She knew I’d do most of the cooking.”

“She’s smarter than I gave her credit for.”

Abby giggled as she took another bite. “Can I get you anything?”

Water? Napkins? A kiss?

He shook his head, his gaze still fixed on her. The look in his eyes made her shovel more food into her mouth to distract herself. He’d had that same look all night – ever since he’d walked through her front door.Whew.

After they finished eating, Abby poured herself a glass of wine and they ventured into the living room to relax. She turned on the television, proud of herself for managing to use the remote correctly. She could hardly concentrate on pushing the proper buttons when Cooper was sitting so close to her that their arms were touching. She swallowed. “Are you staying the night again?”

Cooper glanced at her, pulling his foot up onto his opposite knee. “Do you want me to?”

Abby leaned into him, her body having little regard for what her mind was telling her. Though, to be fair, her mind had basically gone numb the moment his thigh had pressed up against her own. In fact, she’d turned on a foreign movie with subtitles by mistake. Oops.Mayday. Mayday.

Abby frantically started clicking buttons until she found The Office. “Oh, um, that’s fine. You’re more than welcome to.” She ignored his imploring gaze and kept her eyes on the TV. She could see him studying her out of the corner of her eye. Abby turned the volume up, hoping it would overpower the sounds of her hammering heart.

“You’re cute when you’re flustered.”

Cooper’s comment garnered her immediate attention, and she jerked her head to the right. Abby clutched her wine glass in one hand and the remote in the other. It was for the best – she wasn’t inclined to jump him this way. She cleared her throat. “I look like I’m homeless, and I probably smell like cilantro,” Abby replied, trying her hardest to keep the tone light. It was true. She had spent the day cleaning, so she was only wearing sweatpants and a casual tank top. Her hair was down, partially knotted, and only mascara adorned her face.

He smiled, his eyes drifting to her lips. “I stand by my statement.”

Abby took a sip of her wine. Well, it was more like a chug. Maybe a few chugs.

Actually, she’d finished it.

“You know, I’m a little tired. I think I’m going to turn in for the night,” Abby said. She hadn’t planned on saying that. It was a flat out lie, after all. She wasn’t tired – no, she was awake in every sense of the word.

But it wasn’t going anywhere.

They could flirt and hug, and make eyes at each other all night, but when all was said and done, Abby would be sleeping alone. Why prolong the inevitable?

Cooper looked surprised. A little disappointed, even. “You don’t want to watch The Office? I thought you were all into the Pam-Jim shipper thing.”

“Cute,” Abby laughed. “I’ve seen it, though. I know what happens.”

His eyes twinkled. “Do they end up together?”

She hesitated, wondering if he was still talking about the show. Abby nodded. “They do.”

“Happily ever after?”

She nodded again. “I’d like to think so.”

Cooper held her eyes, that same look still there. Still reeling her in.

He let out a breath that was a little shaky, a little frayed, and then nodded his head. “I think I’m going to go to bed, too. It’s been a hectic week.”

Abby flipped off the television and set her empty wine glass down beside her on the end table. She stood from the couch, offering Cooper a small smile. “Goodnight.” She heard him stand as she stepped away, then felt him follow behind her.

They both paused in front of their respective bedroom doors.

Hesitation. Indecision.

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