Page 61 of Save the Drama for your Mama
“Ah, yes . . .” James grabbed another picture frame from his desk, turning it around so we could see it. “These are your grandparents, Felipe and Louise. They are happy and healthy, and they live in Temecula. They are going to want to meet you.”
Just then, a customer came in the front door, interrupting our moment.
James waved to the man. “Welcome. Browse around. Let me know if you have questions.”
“Thank you,” the man said, stopping to look at a picture of Zion National Park.
I cleared my throat. “I don’t want to take up a lot of your time. I know you have to work.”
“Nonsense—we’re just getting started,” James said. “There’s so much I want to know about you.”
“I’m an open book,” I said.
“Says the famous author,” Melody said.
James’s eyes went wide. “Just like your mother.”
“Well, I don’t know about that,” I said. “She published twenty-five books, and I’ve published one.”
“Cooper is being humble,” Melody said, surprising me again. “His one and only book has sold over a million copies, and that’s not an easy thing to do. It’s calledThe Daredevil’s Redemption,if you want to check it out.”
Was Melody the new PR rep I didn’t know I had? This wasn’t the first time she had jumped at the opportunity to say something nice about me.
“I know what I’ll be doing after work today,” James said. “There’s a bookstore just down the street.”
“I have a much better idea,” I said. “I’ll bring you a copy of the book the next time I see you.”
“That sounds terrific,” he said. “Do you think the author would be kind enough to sign it for me?”
“I think that can be arranged,” I said, chuckling. “Now, would it be awkward if I gave you a hug?”
James answered with the biggest smile. “It would be awkward if you didn’t.”
As his powerful arms enveloped me, the oddest sensation rushed through my body. I was flooded with a sense of comfort and belonging. This embrace felt right in a way I couldn’t explain. Although we had only just met, being wrapped in his arms felt familiar, like he had been in my life all along. But stronger than anything was a sense of rightness. Like finding a missing puzzle piece I didn’t know was gone. I had never believed in fate before, but how else could this feel so destined?
“Please don’t go yet,” James said, pulling away from the hug and squeezing my shoulder. “Come back in a couple of hours and have lunch with me. The gallery is closed from noon to one, and we could go grab some fish and chips on the pier.”
“I would love that,” I said, then turned to Melody. “Does that work for you?”
She smiled. “You had me at chips.”
“Great,” James said, grinning, then patting me on the shoulder. “See you back here at noon then.”
Once outside, I turned to Melody. “Thank you.”
“For what?” she asked, batting her eyes.
“For being your usual annoyingly persistent self and forcing me to face the attic against my will,” I replied. “If it wasn’t for your incessant pestering, I might have never have met my biological father.”
“Oh Cooper, you say the sweetest things,” she said dramatically, fanning herself. “But we both know you find my tenacity charming.”
“About as charming as a toothache,” I retorted with a grin. “But seriously, I appreciate you pushing me out of my comfort zone. It was a special moment. One I’ll always remember.”
“Aww, look at you getting all sentimental on me,” she teased. “Don’t go soft now. Someone might misconstrue your actions as friendly.”
“Yeah, yeah,” I said, rolling my eyes. “Would it be awkward if I gave you a hug?”
“Check you out, giving out hugs like candy on Halloween,” she said. “May I remind you that you said please to me before and now you’re asking to give me a hug? You are destroying your broody author persona. Are you sure that’s what you want?”
