Page 70 of Forever Flames: Padraig & Stevie
The subway is crowded but warm, a welcome change from the biting wind at street level. We grab seats across from each other, knees brushing as the train jolts forward. He fills me in on a disaster at work earlier in the week, his dry humor cutting through the monotony of the ride.
I can’t help smiling; he’s good at making everything sound less serious than it is.
By the time we surface in Harlem, the streets are alive with music and delicious smells. The windows of PB Brasserie’s sleek exterior are fogged with the heat of a packed brunch crowd. Inside, the noise is almost lively and energized. I’m delighted when we’re seated quickly near a window overlooking the sidewalk.
Cooper orders the steak frites. I go for thecroque madame, naturally, and we add bottomless mimosas because, why not. The first sip has both of us sighing like we’ve won the lottery.
“This is dangerously good.” I take another sip.
“You’re the one who introduced me to bottomless drinks.” He grins. “Now you’re stuck with me enabling you.”
Our food arrives and it’s everything the reviews promised, cheesy, buttery perfection. We talk through every bite, about upcoming projects at work. Our coworkers’ chaotic dating lives. My roommate’s latest attempt to film workout content in our living room.
Cooper fills me in about his week at work. Accounting might not be glamorous, but he has a way of making me laugh about client meltdowns and spreadsheet disasters. I lament about a conference I’m organizing for a Fortune 50 company next month and how much pressure there is to get it right.
“You’re gonna crush it,” he states like a fact, not opinion.
When I’m with him, I feel a quiet confidence settle into me. It eases the knot of stress I carry all week. Cooper’s steady and sure-footed, the kind of person who makes you believe things are going to be okay even when you’re not sure. It’s nice not to have to explain every little thing. He works there too, so it’s easy. Comfortable.
By the time we split the bill, we’re both a little tipsy, laughing harder than we should at nothing in particular. We step outside into the cold, breath clouding in front of us.
“Let’s walk it off for awhile.” He glances down the street. “I’m not ready to go underground yet.”
“Sure.” I slip my hands into my coat pockets and keep up with his brisk pace.
We stroll in silence for a few minutes, the sounds of the city filling the space between us as we head toward Central Park.
“So, I’ve been trying to figure out how to say this.” He tugs his beanie down over his ears. “And I’m probably gonna screw it up, but, I’m gonna go for it. You’ve been the best part of this year for me, Stevie. After my breakup, I thought I’d be stuck in this weird limbo forever. But you made things easy again. You make me laugh. I like who I am when I’m around you.”
I stop walking. “Coop…”
He shakes his head quickly. “I’m not trying to make this complicated. I like you. More than I probably should. And I know you’ve been through a lot. I know you’re figuring things out with Padraig. But… I couldn’t not tell you.”
His words settle between us, the air sweet, sharp, electric.
I take him in for a second. Cooper’s hard to miss. His dark hair never quite behaves, it’s trimmed close at the sides and curls slightly on top. His broad shoulders fill out his jacket like he could walk into a rugby scrum and win. He’s about Padraig’s height, maybe an inch taller, but his frame’s more muscled.His skin is more olive-toned, but he has blue eyes and features causing people turn when he walks into a room.
I’m attracted to him, it’s not lost on me. I clearly have a type.
He catches me watching him, and grins, softening my heart a bit. He makes me want to stay in the moment. Take a chance.
Except…
“Cooper,” I break eye contact and look off into the distance, “you’ve been there for me in ways I didn’t even realize I needed. I care about you so much. But I’m not…” I trail off, struggling to put it into words. I look up at him, bracing for his reaction.
He nods, his expression steady. “I get it. I’m not asking for anything from you other than I wanted you to know where my head’s at. You deserve someone who shows up for you. Every day, no matter what. If there’s ever a chance, I want you to know I’m here.”
The sincerity in his voice makes my throat ache.
“I don’t even know what to say.” I toe the ground. “You’ve become one of my best friends, Coop. Any girl would be lucky to be with you. I mean it.”
“Well, one day you’ll be the lucky girl. When you’re ready,” he says firmly.
I link my arm through his and lean into him as we start walking through the park. “You’re good for my ego.”
“Yeah?” He folds his hand over mine.
Squeezing his arm, I let out a breath. “Let’s take this one step at a time, okay?”
