Page 3 of Cooper & Jake
Oh my god,no. Of course, this is my life. Have you ever watched those movies where a clumsy person trips, falls, and everything appears in slow motion?
Yep, that’s exactly what this feels like.
After walking in with Taylor, I had this feeling that someone was watching me. I glanced over at the table a few spots away from us and saw this cute guy staring at me. I went to smile at him when movement next to him caught my eye. Looking at the bulky man next to him, my heart dropped to my stomach when I saw who was sitting there.
Jacob Ward.
My high school sweetheart.
I didn’t think he was actually going to come. Of course, I knew it was a possibility, but I figured he wouldn’t want to step foot back in this small town. I thought he’d be traveling the world or married and settled down with a nice man or woman. Oh shit, maybe the man with him is his husband.
“Damn, little dude, are you okay?”
I open my eyes to see the guy who was seated with Jake standing over me, a worried expression on his face.
“Yeah, I’m fine. Embarrassed but fine.” I tell them, sitting up and wiping off my slacks.
“Coop?”
His voice still sends shivers through my body as though no time has passed at all. I give him a small smile, saying, “Hi, Jake. Back in town for the reunion?”
“Yeah,” he replies, tilting his head to stare at me. “Do you still live here, or are you back?”
“I’m just back for the reunion, too. But, uh—I’ve got to go. Taylor and I have something to get to.”
“Maybe we can catch up sometime?”
“Yeah, maybe,” I rush out, wanting to get away as quickly as possible. Of course, the first time I see my ex-boyfriend, I fall flat on my ass in front of the entire coffee shop.
Jake and his friend…partner both back up, and I stand to my feet. Taylor comes straight up to my side, the very best friend I could have ever asked for. “Come on, sweetie, we’re gonna be late.”
Taylor and I head back out the door we just came in, and trust me, I realize how pathetic I look right now. Running away. I guarantee he knows what I’m doing, but I’m not ready to see him. Especially him and his gorgeous husband.
Nope. Nuh-uh.
“So, I take it that was ‘TheJake,’ huh?” Taylor asks as we walk into the bright light.
“What gave it away? The fact that I fell on my ass or that I said, ‘Hi, Jake?’”
“Hey, don’t be snooty with me. I just saved your ass. Figured you might need a minute to get yourself together before talking with him again. You know, since you could barely string two words in a sequence.”
“What the hell? I could string sentences together. I was just surprised, that’s all.”
“Oh, I got that when you went face-first down on the ground.”
“First time I’ve seen the man in twenty years, and I land on my ass.” I groan loudly, leaning my head toward hers when she locks her arm through mine and places her head on my shoulder.
“No one could have pulled that off better than you. But maybe next time you should stay on two feet when you run into him again. Hey, let’s go in here. I still want my coffee.”
Taylor pulls open the door to another bakery, and I follow her inside the shop. “I don’t know why I came back here, Taylor. There’s nothing for me in this town anymore.”
“Don’t do that. You have earned the right to come back to your hometown and see how things have changed. You haven’t been back here for years. Fuck, Coop, you’re doing amazing in life. You deserve to flaunt it a little.”
“I’m doing okay.”
“Cooper Dalton, don’t you ever try to downplay how amazing you are. First off, you’re a vet who takes care of animals; could you be any more swoon-worthy? Plus, you’re the best friend I could have ever asked for. Hell, if I weren’t married to Jared, then I would be married to you.”
“You mean if you weren’t married, and I were into women?”
