Page 50 of Say I'm Yours
I toss my phone and start to get ready.
Since Cooper and I are only hanging out tonight, I want to be comfortable. I grab a pair of jeans and a cute top that makes my boobs look a little bigger. I’m the only one in my family who wasn’t blessed with a chest. Instead, I’m best friends with any kind of push-up or cleavage-enhancing product.
My alarm on the phone goes off, alerting me I need to start cooking. I toss the meat in the oven, check on the potato salad, and mix the green beans. I say a prayer the food tastes great.
Right on time, Cooper knocks on the door.
“Hey,” I open the screen, and he enters.
“You look beautiful, as always.” Cooper notes as he looks me up and down.
Two friends. We’re two old friends sharing a meal. One where I’m not planning to be the entrée or any other course.
Keep it neutral.
“Thank you.”
“You okay?” he asks.
“I’m great. I’ve got dinner in the oven, it should be ready in about fifteen minutes. Do you want a beer?” I look at the case in his hand.
“I’d love one.” Coop follows me into the kitchen and runs his hand down my arm. “Grace?” he says after a few seconds.
“Yeah?”
“Relax, there are no expectations, okay?”
I let out a deep sigh. “I know. I’m just nervous.”
“Nervous of me?” he questions.
It baffles me how he still doesn’t get it. Maybe guys don’t see all the complications that can happen when you start dating, but considering what I’m going through on the breakup side. . . it’s a lot. We’ll be around each other, like I’m around Trent all the damn time. There’s no avoidance in this town.
“More of what it means for us,” I explain as I pop the tops off two beers. I hand him one and take a long draw from my bottle. “You see what it’s like with . . . him.”
“I’m not anything like Trent. If this doesn’t work out, then it doesn’t. You’ll still be Grace, and I’ll still be Cooper. We’ll act like adults.”
Well, that’s a concept I clearly have no experience with.
“Okay, no more talking about this. We’re on our friend date.” I lift my bottle.
“Deal, but it’s a date, date, remember?” Cooper clinks his bottle to mine.
“Sure. Whatever you say, Coop.”
We both chuckle. “It smells great. Is that your mama’s whiskey pork?” His face brightens, and the familiar scent fills the air.
I nod with a grin. “Yup!”
“They say the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.” He raises a brow. “Are you tryin’ to seduce me, Grace Rooney?”
I shrug and let my playful side out. “Maybe, or maybe I’m hopin’ you think I’m a shitty cook and run for a better woman.”
Cooper’s head falls back as he laughs. His arms wrap around my waist, and he pulls me close. “You’re out of your mind. I know you can cook.”
“What if I forgot?”
“Then I’m sure your mama could give you a few lessons,” he suggests with mischief in his voice. “Just don’t ask Presley. I can remember Mama tryin’ to teach her and Pa and I gagging after we tried to eat. I pray, for Zach’s sake, she’s improved.”
