Page 44 of Say I'm Yours
“No, but what about what happened this morning? How can you be so cool about it?”
He releases a heavy sigh. “I feel like you want me to be angry about you and Trent.”
I pause and think about that for a second. My first instinct is to tell him he’s crazy. Why would I want that? But maybe he’s right. I do keep bringing it up, pushing it back in his face, and reminding him after we spent the day relaxed and happy.
I step closer to Cooper and place my hand on his arm. “I’m sorry if I’m makin’ you feel that way. I don’t think I want you to be angry. I know that if I found someone in your house after the date like we had . . . I’d be pissed.”
He tugs me closer, wrapping his arm around my waist. “I’m not happy, but I’m not pissed. I’m the one pursuing you, Grace. I’m the one who’s tryin’ to get you to see me as more than just a friend. I also know you. You’re not the girl who would purposely set out to hurt my feelings. You’re confused, sad, and still tryin’ to see past the last two decades of Trent. My bein’ angry with you won’t do anything. Yes, he was with you last night, and I don’t want to know what happened. I’m sure I can guess, but I’d rather not have it confirmed. Now,” he pauses, and his eyes turn hard, “if we decide that we’re goin’ to make a real go at this, I’m not willin’ to share you. If you pick me, then you’ll have topickme.”
And there is the part of me that wants to run away. Having to pick him. Because I don’t know that if I had to choose right now, it would be him. My eyes close, and I shake my head as I grapple with what to say.
“Before you freak out, I want to be clear that we’re not in a rush here. I can be very patient.”
“Honestly?” I touch his chest and stare at the freckle on his pec. “I’m scared.”
“Scared of what?”
Here it goes. I lift my head and gaze into his eyes. I need to say it and be completely honest with myself. “You.Us.The idea of us!” I push back, but Cooper is stronger and holds me against him. “You’re my best friend’s brother. You’re Cooper!”
“And you’re Grace,” he smirks.
I roll my eyes. “Funny.”
“I thought so.”
“Don’t you get it?” I ask. “You’ve always been a part of my life. I don’t want us to screw that up!”
I look in his deep green eyes and see the fear that floats over the surface. He’s scared, too. It may not be for the same reasons, but it’s there.
“You’re actin’ like I think we should get married. We’re friends, we’ll always be friends, and maybe we can be more.”
“I’m not sayin’ that. I worry that I’m going to lose something that means a lot to me.”
“Which is?” Cooper asks.
“Our friendship.”
Cooper gets closer and shakes his head. “You’re not going to. Trust me.”
I do trust him, it’s me I don’t trust.
“So, I’ll keep workin’, and you can decide about dinner.”
The least I can do to show my gratitude is have dinner with him. Cooper has been here, busting his butt, and I am eternally grateful for it. Plus, after being with him all day, I want to keep hanging out with him. He makes me feel different. I don’t worry about pissing him off and him disappearing. It’s easy and light. Not everything is this big deal, and he’s sweet.
“All right. I’ll have dinner with you.”
“How about we avoid driving?” Cooper suggests and gives me a grin. “Lessens the chance that we’ll blow a tire again.”
“As friends?”
“As friends, just dinner. I can cook if you want,” Cooper offers.
There is no way out of this, and if I don’t really have a choice, I might as well make sure the food is edible. “I’ll cook. Lord knows we don’t want to eat whatever you make. Come over to my place tonight, we can talk, eat, and see about a second chance at a date.”
“Then I get to pick the movie,” he tacks on. “If you’re cookin’ then I’m providing the entertainment.”
I know Cooper’s taste in movies. “I’m not watching some John Wayne movie. You’re going to have to pick a movie made from this millennium.” I point my finger at him, and he laughs.
