Page 61 of Tides of Discovery
The pet name sent a shiver down my spine. I leaned farther across the counter, drawn to him like cream to coffee. The bell above the door jangled, but I ignored it. Without overthinking, I pressed a quick kiss to his lips.
The kiss was nothing like our heated exchanges—just a brief brush of lips, the kind of casual affection that couples might share dozens of times a day. It felt shockingly natural, as if I’d been kissing Jack hello for years instead of days.
The bell above the door jangled again as I pulled back. I glanced toward the sound, and the bottom dropped out of my stomach.
My parents stood in the doorway, Ryan half a step behind them, his expression already morphing into alarm as he took in the scene before him. From their vantage point, they would have had a perfect view of me kissing Jack.
“Cooper,” my mother said, her voice carrying despite the bustling coffee shop. Her face had gone rigid, lips pressed into a bloodless line.
My parents and Ryan made their way deeper into The Coffee Cove and approached the counter where we stood.
“Mom. Dad.” My voice came out steadier than I felt. “Ryan. What brings you all in?”
“We were supposed to have lunch with your brother.” My father’s gaze flicked to Jack with barely disguised displeasure. “He insisted we try the new sandwich menu.”
Ryan stepped forward and shot me an apologetic look. “I thought it would be good for them to see how well the coffee shop is doing. I didn’t realize you’d be…busy.” He winked.
The emphasis he placed on the last word and his wink made it clear he was referring to the kiss he’d just witnessed. Heat crawled up my neck, but whether from embarrassment or defiance, I couldn’t tell.
Jack had gone still across the counter from me, his expression carefully neutral. But I could see the tension in his jaw muscles, the way his hand gripped the edge of the counter.
“I’m notbusy.” I found my professional voice. “Just helping Jack with his lunch order. What can I get for you?”
“Nothing, now.” My mother’s tone was as icy as Antarctica. “I’ve lost my appetite.”
The shop had quieted. Customers sensed the tension and pretended not to watch while obviously listening to every word. Jessica helped the next person in line, but I could tell from her stiff movements she was paying attention to the unfolding drama.
“For God’s sake, Mom,” Ryan muttered. “Don’t make a scene.”
“I’m not the one making a scene,” she hissed, her eyes fixed on me. “Cooper, could we speak with you privately?”
“Anything you have to say can be said right here,” I answered, knowing full well what was coming.
My father’s jaw tightened, a gesture I recognized from countless arguments over the years. “This”—he waved his hand between Jack and me—“displayis inappropriate. You’re running a business, not a…a nightclub.”
“It was a little kiss, Dad, not a striptease,” I shot back, keeping my voice down.
“It was unprofessional and unseemly,” my mother added. “What will your customers think?”
“Most of them are happy for us,” Jack said quietly, speaking for the first time. “The town has been very supportive.”
My father’s gaze shifted to Jack, assessing and cold. “I don’t believe we were speaking to you.”
Something fierce rose in my chest and burned away the shock and embarrassment. I stepped out from behind the counter, moved to Jack’s side, and took his hand. His fingers interlaced with mine immediately, warm and solid, and gave me strength.
“Don’t speak to him like that,” I said, my voice low and steady. “Jack is my boyfriend, and you will treat him with respect.”
The words didn’t feel temporary at all. Defending Jack felt more essential than any bargain between us.
“Your boyfriend,” my mother repeated. The words dripped with disdain. “Cooper, we’ve discussed this phase of yours?—”
“It’s not a phase,” I interrupted, the words coming fast and heated now. “I’m gay. I’ve been gay since I was born. I’ll be gay when I die. It’s not changing, it’s not going away, and it’s not something I’m asking permission for.”
Jack’s hand tightened around mine. I slid a glance toward him. His eyes widened in astonishment, but the soft curve of his lips spoke of pride. His encouragement spurred me on.
“And Jack,” I continued, turning back to my parents, “is the most important person in my life. He’s kind, brilliant, supportive, and I’m damn lucky to have him. If you can’t see that, if you can’t be happy for me, then I don’t know what you’re doing here.”
My father’s face had darkened to a dangerous shade of red. “You watch your tone, young man. We’re still your parents.”
