Page 16 of Save the Drama for your Mama
“You, too.” Cooper snapped his fingers. “Let’s go, Romeo.”
The two headed in my direction. I hurried to get out of the way, so they could pass, but Cooper kept mirroring my movements, creating a comical back-and-forth dance.
I smirked. “The lambada would be more fun.”
Well, it was humorous for me, at least.
Cooper’s brows furrowed in frustration, and his eyes darted once again toward the library, eager to make a swift escape. Finally, he couldn’t take it anymore and let out an exasperated sigh.
“Please stand still for a moment,” he said.
“I can do that,” I said, busting into my best statue pose. “How’s this?”
“Just peachy,” he said, passing me without eye contact, then stopped at the hallway table, grabbed his motorcycle helmet, glared back at me, then went back into the library.
The door closed again, this time quietly, both Cooper and Romeo disappearing inside. That was when I noticed the Post-It Note on the floor just outside the door. Was it one of the many from his desk?
I walked over to pick it up, reading what was written on it.
Research historical context for authenticity.
I read it three more times, trying to figure out what he meant by that. He wasn’t writing a historical novel, so it stumped me.
It didn’t matter.
He needed to have it back.
I knocked on the door to the library and waited, shifting my weight from one leg to the other as the hardwood floor squeaked underneath me.
Romeo sniffed at the door, his tail wagging pretty hard, judging from the thumping.
Would Cooper be furious when he answered? I couldn’t fathom why since I was doing nothing wrong. I found his lost Post-It Note and wanted to return it. No need for gratitude, but I was doing what any decent human being would do: being a decent human being.
My benevolence was wasted, unfortunately, because Cooper didn’t answer.
Summoning my courage, I rapped my knuckles on the door again, this time hoping for a different response.
Romeo went nuts again, more barking, more sniffing.
Still no Cooper.
Was he not going to even acknowledge my presence? What if I had just received a million-dollar check in the mail that I was going to split with him?
His loss.
It was quite rude, and short sighted of him, if you asked me.
I pressed my ear against the door, listening to see if maybe he was on the phone, which, now that I thought about it, was unlikely considering all the noise Romeo was making.
The door swung open.
Caught off guard, I stumbled forward, crashing into Cooper’s arms. Untangling myself, and with my cheeks burning from the embarrassment, I muttered an apology as I straightened out my blouse.
Cooper’s expression held even more irritation than before. “You are, without a doubt, the worst spy ever. Don’t give up your day job.”
“Settle down, Steinbeck. I just wanted to give you this.” I handed him the Post-It Note. “I found it on the floor and thought you might need it.”
Cooper took the note from me and studied it. “Oh . . . Okay.”
