Page 2 of Say You Won't Let Go
He puts me down, and I take a second to look him over. My hands rest on thick muscular arms, his tall frame blocks out the sun that’s setting behind him, and I could melt right here. He’s always been sexy, but right now, he has that whole tall, dark, and handsome thing going on. The five o’clock shadow only adds to his appeal. The way his hair falls over the dark green eyes that are staring into mine makes it impossible to look away.
“You look great, Em. Really great.”
I feel the heat rush to my cheeks, and I duck my head. I’m blushing like a teenager. “Thanks, Coop. What are you doin’ all the way down here in Dallas?”
I loop my arm in his, leading him away from prying eyes. “I’m here for a cattle rancher event.”
“Ohhh, sounds like a ton of fun.” There is a grin on my lips as I tease him.
“They’re revealing a few new products and I thought I should be here.”
I nod and open the door to the tour bus. “Bein’ the sensible rancher you are.”
“Of course.”
“So, tell me what’s new?” We sit on the couch, and I rest my hand on his knee.
Cooper fills me in on all the gossip from back home. He tells me about Grace’s little girl, Hannah, and Wyatt and Angie’s baby, Felicity. Then he takes out his phone to show me pictures of the girls. Wyatt’s little girl is getting so big, and I hate that I haven’t met either of those precious babies yet. When he shows me a photo of Trent, Grace, and Hannah, I have to fight back tears. I didn’t realize how hard it would be to miss everything since I’m on tour.
“I miss y’all so much. Bein’ on the road is tough.”
“But you’re happy?” Cooper questions.
“I love it. I love singing for people, and Luke Berry is awesome to work with. It’s a great honor, and I’m so blessed. I just never thought it would go this far, you know? I thought I’d do like I promised my mama before she died and give it two full years of tryin’ to make it before returning back home.”
His hand rests on my shoulder. “You were always meant for more.” Then Coop leans back with his arm draped across the back. “I’m happy for you, Emmy. I really am. Everyone back home is, too.”
I love that he calls me Emmy. No one outside of Bell Buckle ever uses my nickname. It’s always Emily or Ms. Young. I just want to be Emmy or Em every now and then.
I lean back against Cooper and rest my head on his chest. “You’re such a good guy. I wish I could be back in Tennessee so I could meet Hannah and Felicity.”
Cooper’s fingers trace up and down my arm. “I wish you were back in Tennessee, too.”
“Yeah?” I ask, sitting back up with a smirk.
“Yeah, it’s hard not havin’ anyone to pick on now that they’re all married and havin’ babies.”
“That’s why you wish I was back?” I challenge.
“Well, that and I kind of like you…” Cooper’s green eyes turn liquid as he stares at me.
“Just kind of?”
He shrugs, and we both start laughing. “You know how Bell Buckle is. It’s the same even when everything changes.”
I nod. It really is that way. Some things are meant to be the same, but it’s been far too long since I’ve been home. I haven’t had time to visit Mama or anyone else. Grace and Angie both have babies and are always asleep when I finally get around to calling—it’s been hard adjusting.
“I can’t believe Grace is someone’s mama.” I laugh as I crisscross my legs.
“It’s scary, but she’s happy, which is all that matters.”
Cooper says the words with so much honesty that I hesitate before asking my next question. However, I’m not known for holding back. I know that he says he’s fine with her and Trent, but is he really? It seems crazy to me that after pining for her for years that he’d just be so easygoing about it all.
“And you’re okay with her and…him?”
He laughs. “Grace and I were never anything more than friends who shared an awkward kiss. I think I just really liked the idea of her.”
“What pretty girl do you have your eyes set on now?”
