13. SKYE

13

SKYE

"I'll see you both tomorrow."

"See you tomorrow, Skye," Joan called back.

"Bye," Valerie added.

After giving them a nod and one final look of approval, I pushed through the front door and stepped outside, meeting my enemy—the hot and sticky summer air.

As a curly-haired girl, I'd always had a love/hate relationship with summer. While I loved it because I preferred warmer weather and daily bits of sunshine it offered, my hair could have done without the frizz-inducing humidity that came with living in northeastern Pennsylvania.

I hoped I'd be able to keep it from getting too out of control, because I didn't have a whole lot of time left to get myself home and ready before Cooper would be there to pick me up.

Admittedly, I was excited at the prospect of seeing him again, which was one of two reasons I believed I was succeeding in the healing process. And if it hadn't been for the extraordinarily busy day I'd had at work, I knew Cooper would have been on my mind all day long.

But I was grateful for the fast pace of my work environment today, because as it was, I was still struggling with sleep. The only difference now was that I spent my nights thinking about Cooper instead of two people who didn't deserve the privilege of taking up any space in my mind.

Last night had been the toughest of all, though.

Because while every thought about Cooper had been a good one, all of them combined had prevented me from getting any sleep.

No matter what I did, I couldn't stop reminiscing about the wonderful evening we'd had at the charity benefit. Everything from the food and conversation to the dancing and laughter we shared had been perfect. I could have easily been preoccupied all night by simply recalling everything Cooper and I had experienced at Westwood's last night.

But the one thing that had been stuck at the forefront of my mind as I tossed and turned in my bed was what happened when Cooper brought me home. He wanted us to explore something more meaningful than the simple arrangement we'd come up with for the charity event.

I spent my night considering it, which was the other reason I believed the healing process was going well.

Oddly enough, Cooper's request mixed with that soft kiss on my cheek before I walked inside my house had me swooning for hours after he'd left. I was convinced I could still feel the exact spot his lips had touched.

Even if I loved everything about what had happened yesterday, I still didn't know what to do. So, I was grateful Cooper didn't press me to give him an answer on the spot.

The last thing I wanted to do was make a rash decision. I didn't want to wind up in a position where I poured a lot of my time, energy, and heart into someone else, only to wind up with a broken heart again. But it was safe to say I thought it was worth reconsidering the rule I'd put in place for my life about never opening my heart to anyone again.

Besides, it wasn't as though I didn't already know that humans needed connection, so how I could have even thought it was a possibility I could go the rest of my life without ever experiencing another romantic connection was beyond me. But I wanted to take the time to be sure I was making a good decision.

For now, I was leaning toward wanting to try again, but I had some fear lingering. In all the thoughts I had when I should have been sleeping, I came up with a plan of action. I wouldn't do it today, but I believed it would be beneficial for me to find a way to talk to Cooper about my worries.

Considering how he'd been with me about everything, I didn't think he'd hesitate to sit down, listen to my fears, and do what he could to ease them.

But it was going to have to wait.

Because not only had I not come up with the precise words I wanted to say to him about it, but today was supposed to be all about celebrating his birthday, too.

I pulled up outside my house, ran inside, and dashed from one room to the next to get myself ready on time. I even packed what I'd need if I decided to be brave and put on a swimsuit when meeting Cooper's family for the first time.

What would ever make you think you're anything less than stunning, sweetheart?

As I packed my bikini and towel into a bag, Cooper's words during our drive home yesterday popped into my head. From the start, Cooper had been nothing less than a perfect gentleman. But that conversation had taken a turn I hadn't anticipated. Despite the underlying edge of disbelief in his tone, he made me feel so good about myself. And I learned that Cooper was not only the kind of man who was willing to protect me in a situation that involved my ex-boyfriend and former best friend, but he'd also protect me from my own intrusive thoughts.

I had just finished getting myself ready to go and had about thirty seconds to spare when my doorbell rang.

I couldn't miss the way my belly flipped with the excitement I felt about seeing Cooper and getting to spend time with him again.

When I yanked open my door, it took superhuman effort not to launch myself into his arms. But I held myself back, beamed at him, and said, "Happy birthday."

He smiled, and a hint of laughter was in his voice when he returned, "Thanks. Are you ready to have some fun today?"

"Yes, but is it okay if we take a minute or two longer here?" I asked.

Cooper gave me a nod. "Sure." I stepped back to allow him to come inside. Then he asked, "Do you need help getting something ready?"

I shook my head. "No. I'm all set to go, but I have two things I wanted to show you."

"Okay. What are they?"

Something made me hesitate for just a few seconds before I reached for Cooper's hand, gave it a tug, and led him away from the front door and toward my kitchen. Once there, I stepped slightly to the side, so he could see what I'd wanted to show him.

His features warmed and softened, a small smile playing at his lips. "What's this?"

"Just a little something I wanted to do for you," I explained.

Cooper and I moved deeper into the kitchen and came to a stop beside the center island. I picked up the small, wrapped, rectangular box and held it out to him.

As he took it from me, he said, "You didn't have to get me anything, Skye. This was unnecessary."

I waved my hand in the air, dismissing his words. "Oh, it's just something small I wanted to do, especially after everything you've done for me lately. Open it."

Although his words indicated the gift was unnecessary, I couldn't ignore the light in his eyes as he began to unwrap it. He was excited, and I loved seeing him like that. Cooper removed the paper completely, set it on the counter, and opened one end of the box. He slid out the wooden case, his eyes narrowing with curiosity about what was inside. And when he flipped open the lid, I watched his expression turn from questioning to surprised, and finally, to humored.

Holding the case in one hand, he used the other to pull out the pocketknife. Cooper inspected it, exposing the blade, and ultimately, laughed at the engraving.

"This is really nice, sweetheart," he said, not hesitating to shift forward to wrap an arm around me to hug me. I hugged him back. "Thank you for this."

"You're welcome. I thought it would come in handy occasionally in your line of work," I explained.

"Yeah, I always carry a knife, so you aren't wrong about that. But I think what makes this even better is what you had engraved on it."

I grinned. "I thought it was fitting."

"If only I had known who was on the other side of that door," he teased.

When I'd agreed to join Cooper in celebrating his birthday, I knew I had wanted to get him something as a token of my appreciation for how he'd helped me. But I didn't want it to feel like a gift that was in any way connected to Simon or Maria. So, when I'd finally settled on the pocketknife for the reason I'd just shared with him, I chose to have it engraved with four words that would remind him of how we met—Next time, just knock.

I thought it was a fun way to incorporate our first encounter with one another, and I liked to think that even if things didn't progress with us to the point he'd been hoping they would, Cooper would always have something to remember me.

"I'm glad you like it."

Cooper took the knife, slid it into his pocket, and jerked his head back toward the island. "Is one of those for me?"

I pressed my lips together and nodded. "Yes. I assume your family is going to be having dinner at this party for you, so if you'd rather wait to have this, it's okay."

He shook his head. "No way. Cupcakes are always better when you have them before the entrée. What I really want to know right now is whether I can expect you to sing for me?"

Shaking my head, I shared, "I'm not that bold. I might be able to eat, cook, or read books like it's nobody's business, but I don't sing when someone else can hear me."

His lips twitched. "Why not?"

"I do not have a singing voice."

"I don't believe that. You have such a sweet speaking voice," he reasoned, as though that would mean I could carry a tune.

I continued to shake my head. "I'm sorry to disappoint you, but I can't sing on my own. But I do promise if everyone else sings to you later today, I will happily join in."

"Do you promise?"

I picked up both cupcakes, handed one to him, and stated, "I promise."

"Alright. So, what flavor are these cupcakes?" he asked.

I sighed. "As much as I wish I could say they are something particularly fancy, they're standard chocolate cupcakes with chocolate buttercream frosting. They probably won't hold a candle to what you're used to, if your sister is on her way to being a professional baker, but I wanted to do something special."

The look that washed over Cooper's face told me he appreciated my effort, and his response was nothing less than I'd come to expect from him. "I have a feeling they're going to be the best chocolate cupcakes I've ever tasted."

I batted my eyelashes and sent a shy smile in his direction. "You're flattering me again, Cooper."

"I know. It's intentional."

Following a few beats of tension and lust-filled silence, Cooper and I peeled the wrappers from our cupcakes. Once more, I said, "Happy birthday."

The next thing I knew, I was watching as he sunk his teeth into the cupcake just the same as me. But I was doing that while listening and forcing myself not to react as he moaned.

Unfortunately, I couldn't hold myself back.

After swallowing my bite, I murmured, "And I thought I enjoyed food."

"Sorry. This is delicious."

"I've got a whole bunch of them made for you to take home with you later tonight. I was going to bring them to the celebration at your parents' place today, but I figured they wouldn't compare to whatever your family would already have for you," I explained.

Cooper swallowed another bite, two-thirds of his cupcake already gone, and said, "They would have been very well received at the party, but I think I want to keep them for myself, if that's okay."

"It's okay with me. I made them for you."

"Perfect. Let's keep them here, and I'll get them when I bring you back here later tonight," he suggested.

We finished up our cupcakes, with me needing to take a few extra bites and ultimately offering Cooper my last bite, before I gathered up my things so we could leave.

"What's in the bag?" Cooper asked.

Holding it up between us, I answered, "You said I should come prepared to swim, so I brought a bikini, a towel, and a few additional items."

If it was possible, the look on Cooper's face indicated he was happier to learn about me packing a bikini than he was about the actual gift I'd gotten him. "This is turning out to be the best birthday of my life."

I rolled my eyes, and a few minutes later, Cooper and I were on our way to his parents' house.

No sooner had we gotten in the truck when a question popped into my head that I'd been thinking about during the infrequent moments of reprieve at work today. "You know, it wasn't until today that I realized I don't know how old you are," I declared.

"Twenty-seven."

My eyes widened in shock. "Really?"

"Yeah. Why is that surprising?"

I shrugged. "I don't know. I guess I hadn't expected we were the same age."

"You're twenty-seven, too?"

"No. I'm twenty-six, but in four and a half months, I'll be twenty-seven."

"What day is your birthday?" he asked.

"November 17th."

He nodded, and the silence stretched between us for a few moments. "How are you planning to celebrate?"

In an instant, my mood grew solemn. I hadn't even thought about my birthday or how I intended to celebrate it. Up until they died, I had my parents and my grandmother. Then it was just her until she passed. Maria had been there for some joint celebrations with my grandmother, and the two of us had celebrated together ever since. For the last two years, Simon was part of the mix.

Now, I had nobody.

"I don't… I don't have anyone to celebrate with," I confessed quietly.

Cooper took his eyes off the road to glance at me as he reached for my hand. "What would make you think that? You've got me, sweetheart."

"Do you think you and I will still be friends four months from now?"

"It's my hope we'll be more than friends," he shared. "But even if that's not what happens, I'm not going anywhere, Skye."

This man had the power to bring me to my knees. Whether I chose to let us take things to the next step in a romantic relationship or not, Cooper intended to be around. "I hope you're right."

He gave my hand a squeeze. "I am. And you better prepare yourself, because I'm a Westwood. While I might not handle planning parties, I've got several people in my family that do. And if there's one thing the Westwood family knows how to do, it's finding a reason to celebrate and planning a party. I get the feeling you're going to have one of your best birthdays of your life this year, too."

I could only hope that would be the case. God, I couldn't imagine what it would be like to be surrounded and celebrated by Cooper and his family. "I guess we'll have to see what happens."

Ten minutes later, Cooper and I arrived at a sprawling estate. He drove down the long, winding driveway to a breathtaking home. No, mansion. It was unbelievable, easily the largest home I'd ever seen.

At the sight of it, or more specifically, the number of cars lining the driveway, my belly trembled with nerves. What had I been thinking, agreeing to come to this?

Cooper pulled the truck to a stop, parked, and turned it off. "Ready?

I shook my head. "This looks like it's going to be a lot of people."

He glanced at the cars in the driveway. "This? This is nothing. It's just the immediate family and a few friends. Hang tight. I'll come around and get your door."

Without waiting for me to respond, Cooper exited the truck and rounded the hood. I only felt marginally better when his hand grabbed hold of mine and didn't let go as he led me down the path toward his party.