Page 9 of Liberty

“Yeah. Really. I’m having fun.”

He nodded. “Great. So, hey, you wanna dance?”

I looked out at the dance floor.

Everyone looked like they were having a great time.

Ryan had never danced with me.

Slowly, I nodded.

Cooper took my hand and led me out onto the floor.

We fell into rhythm easily. The music was good, and Cooper was a great dancer. He held my hands, keeping it casual.

And as we danced, we chatted. He asked me about Mississippi; I told him about school, my degree.

I didn’t bring up my ex.

This was fun, and I didn’t need to bring myself down.

I asked him a little about surfing, and he answered enthusiastically. He talked about his PhD, too—marine biology.

So he was gorgeousandsmart.

And I was starting to feel a little tempted.

I don’t know how much time passed as we danced and talked. And when we finished dancing, both tired, Cooper led me to grab some beers and walk down the beach.

It was beautiful.

We stood near the shoreline, watching the waves roll in and out.

He wrapped one arm around me.

I put my head on his shoulder.

It felt good.

I took a sip of my beer, then turned my head to look up at Cooper.

He was looking back at me.

He leaned in, slowly, head tilted.

No.

No, I didn’t want this.

I pulled away.

“Libby?” he asked.

I shook my head and turned, hurrying back up the beach. I didn’t stop until I was in the elevator at the resort.

This was too much, too fast.

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