8. SKYE

8

SKYE

"So, how did you pull this off? Slow day at work?"

Ever since Cooper had suggested he believed in fate, I had been considering that word, that idea.

Fate—the notion that there were events in our lives destined to happen that we had no control over.

I'd read dozens of books, particularly in the fantasy genre, where fate was one of the driving forces for the entire plot. I'd never questioned the phenomenon in all that time.

But now that Cooper had brought it up, I couldn't avoid thinking about it.

Did fate play into my life?

If it had, I hated it. Because there was so much that I'd experienced in my life that felt impossibly cruel. Was all of it—losing my parents, losing my grandparents, and being betrayed by my boyfriend and best friend—something I was meant to experience? Did fate lead to such heartache? One after another after another.

And if it all was part of something bigger than me, what was the ultimate destiny? What was it leading me to? Should I have started to prepare myself for more heartache?

Cooper seemed to have positive feelings surrounding the idea of fate, which was likely the result of the life he'd lived to this point. While I didn't think he never had a bad day, it didn't take a genius to see that he and I had lived vastly different lives. But even if I was unsure how I felt about this predetermined future, I didn't have the heart to crush Cooper's spirit about it.

Maybe that was the reason I was here now. Maybe I was playing into this idea for him, because he believed this was all happening for a reason.

There was no other explanation I could come up with as to why I agreed to join him this afternoon.

It was late Tuesday morning, and now that I had another person working at the bookstore, I was able to enjoy longer periods of time off during the day. Joan and Val were taking the earlier shifts today—Joan was opening the store, and Val was set to come in right around lunchtime—so I scheduled myself for the evening shift. I didn't need to be there until four o'clock today.

When I'd shared this information with Cooper after he'd called me the day after our dinner date, he'd surprised me by suggesting we get together for a midday date. Of course, I hated referring to anything we were doing as a date, though. In my mind, it implied there was something more happening between us than what was actually the case.

One of the only things I could think of doing to continue to make it clear that this was all just a means to deceive Simon and Maria was to drive separately and meet Cooper here. Here was one of the state parks just outside of Landing that had a small beach, a lake, hiking trails, walking and bike paths, and picnic areas. Cooper had decided to rent a canoe, so we could go out on the lake for a bit.

And now that he'd rowed us out away from the shore and into the middle of the lake, I'd asked my questions about what prompted him to plan this.

Not missing a beat, Cooper smiled at me and said, "It's never a slow day at work."

"I didn't think so, since you said things were so hectic for you," I returned. "That's why I was curious about how you managed to take the day off today."

"Well, believe it or not, I do have the option for paid time off," he began. "But I'll be honest and admit I rarely use it. That said, I don't plan to not work at all today. I'm just going to go in later, because I believe it's very important to have this time to get together once more before the charity event."

Over the years I'd been working at the bookstore, both when my grandmother was alive and after she passed, I'd met a lot of people. And while I'd come into contact with some really wonderful individuals, I wasn't sure I'd ever met someone quite like Cooper.

He was just different, and I meant that in the very best way possible. There was so much about who he was, the kind of man he'd shown me, that was admirable.

"I'm not sure if I've told you this yet, but I think it's very sweet that you're willing to go to these lengths for someone you barely know," I said.

He continued to smile at me—ever since that first time he stepped into my store, I hadn't seen him upset—and replied, "I'm hoping that's going to change. I mean, I know more about you now than I did when I stepped into that conversation you were having with Maria. And my goal is to learn more about you before we leave here today."

I tipped my head to the side and assessed him. He was such a good guy. "If I'm honest, I think we could have been convincing after our dinner out last Thursday evening. I'm surprised, or maybe mostly unsure, why you felt getting together today was so necessary. I don't want you to think I'm upset about it, though. I just don't understand the reasoning behind it, considering you aren't the one who has anything to prove."

Without giving it a second thought, Cooper revealed, "I didn't want to take any chances. I'm the kind of guy that takes pride in the things I do. And while that's often related to the work I do every day, it doesn't mean I don't follow that same line of thinking in my personal life. I want this to be believable."

Though Cooper had freely shared those words, which provided a sufficient explanation, I couldn't help feeling as though there was something he wasn't sharing with me. If I had been a gambling woman, I'd have been willing to bet there was more lingering beneath the surface, more that he wasn't prepared, ready, or willing to reveal.

Unfortunately, I wasn't courageous enough to ask him if there was another reason that he was so determined to help me stick it to Simon and Maria. Instead, I asked, "But don't you think we learned a lot about each other already?"

Cooper nodded. "Of course. But I don't think that means we can't learn more. It's safe to say we both have a great deal of understanding about each other's family situations. It would be beneficial to know more of the details."

I raised a curious brow. "Details?"

For the first time since we got out on the water and started talking, Cooper hesitated. It was different than when he'd held himself back from revealing too much, though. This time, he stared at me for a long while. The clear battle he was waging with himself was plain as day in his expression. It was almost as though he wasn't sure whether he should clarify his position or not. Eventually it became evident which part won that battle, because he said, "Yes. All the things that a man who's in love with you should know."

My breath caught in my throat, and my lips parted slightly in shock.

It's a game, I reminded myself.

Cooper's explanation should not have caused that reaction; yet, here I was, struggling to get air into my lungs. Why?

The only way I'd been able to get myself to open up to him as much as I had when he'd taken me out to dinner was to accept that this thing we had between us was just transactional. There was no chance for something beyond simply proving to Simon and Maria that I had moved on and was happy.

But now, I wasn't so sure. Cooper kept saying and doing things that made me believe there was more.

Seemingly aware of the effect he'd had on me, Cooper proved once again just how great of a guy he was. He reached his hand out, touched me gently on my bare leg right above my knee, and promised, "Relax, sweetheart. I wasn't suggesting we're in love. But I do think it's important for us to appear that way if we're going to be convincing."

My eyes dropped to Cooper's hand as that single word resounded inside my head—sweetheart.

I went from needing to calm myself down over Cooper making mention of knowing things the man who's in love with me would know to needing to not freak out at the feel of his rough, calloused hand on my skin while he called me sweetheart.

But I struggled to be successful in that venture. Because before I knew it, I had visions dancing in my mind of Cooper's hand on other parts of my naked body while he whispered that word in my ear.

Forcing my eyes shut, I pressed my lips together and urged myself to find the willpower not to give in to foolish desires.

I needed to pull myself together.

After taking several slow, deep breaths, I peeled my eyes open again and focused my attention on Cooper's handsome face and gorgeous blue eyes. Then I squeaked, "What things do you think we should know about each other?"

He seemed to have cottoned on to the fact I was on the verge of losing my mind and the reason for it, so he pulled his hand away before he answered. "The little things, like what your favorite color is, or what you like to do in your free time. What are the things that make you happy, Skye?"

"I read a lot," I said, telling him something he already knew.

Cooper let out a laugh. "Yeah, okay. I know that. But there's got to be something else you enjoy, isn't there?"

I thought on it for a moment, tilting my chin up to one side and tapping the tip of my finger there, before I said, "Food."

"Food?"

Nodding, I confirmed, "I love food. I find I'm pretty happy whenever I'm eating really good food."

Cooper perked up, started rowing the boat again, and stated, "See? This is the kind of stuff that's going to be good to know. What's your favorite food?"

"Bread."

His eyes narrowed, a crease forming between his brows. "Your favorite food is bread?"

Before I could stop it, laughter spilled out of me. "I know that probably sounds crazy, but I'm not referring to the basic sandwich bread you get when you go to the grocery store. I'm talking about freshly baked bread. So, I love something like a hearty, rustic bread with a bowl of soup, and I'll never turn down homemade pizza dough or freshly baked garlic bread. And if there's one thing I absolutely adore, it's dessert-style breads, like banana bread or zucchini bread."

"Oh, man, you'd love my sister," Cooper declared. "Jules is all about the baking. I don't know if you recall me mentioning that she's enrolled in an accelerated pastry program."

"I do."

"Well, you can't tell anyone just yet, but she asked me last Friday if I'd build her a bakery at Westwood's," he revealed.

My eyes rounded in surprise. Part of my shock was because I couldn't imagine being able to just ask someone to build me something like a bakery, but there was the other part of Cooper telling me something it seemed I wasn't supposed to know. Of course, it wasn't like there was anyone I'd be able to tell, so he had nothing to worry about. But it still caught me off guard that he felt comfortable enough to share something like that with me.

Instead of focusing on that, I asked, "Are you going to build it for her?"

Shooting me a look of disbelief that indicated he thought that was a silly question, he returned, "Of course. She's my sister. I'd do just about anything to help her."

And then there was that.

Cooper had made it clear that we both got a good understanding of one another when we went out to dinner last week, and even if I knew he was a good guy that came from a nice family, I wasn't sure I understood there was this level of dedication to one another. It was one thing I wished I'd had in my life.

I offered a small smile and said, "I hope she knows how lucky she is to have you in her life. Not only is it a blessing that you have the capability to do that for her, it's also incredibly generous for you to be willing to take on that kind of project. I have to believe it'll be no small undertaking."

He gave me a curt nod in response and insisted, "She knows. But don't misunderstand me. I'll get something out of making sure Jules has a bakery on the Westwood campus."

"Oh?"

Cooper grinned. "Freshly baked goods whenever I want them."

Another unexpected laugh escaped. "Ugh, you might be luckier than she is."

A mischievous look washed over him, an unmistakable glint in his eyes. "You could be lucky too, you know?"

My brows shot up, questioning him. "Pardon?"

Cooper stopped rowing the boat, fixed an intense stare on me, and said, "I know I mentioned it briefly at dinner, but I'd really like you to come and celebrate my birthday with me the day after the charity event. There's going to be good food, and Jules can never let a celebration go by without baking something."

"You drive a hard bargain," I teased.

Something I couldn't quite read changed in his expression, and his voice dipped an octave when he returned, "I'm not sure you understand how badly I want you there."

God, his voice held so much promise.

What the hell had gotten into me? I shouldn't have even been considering this, and here I was joking with Cooper about attending.

Joining Cooper for his birthday celebration where it was obvious his large family was going to be in attendance was the very opposite of what I was comfortable with. Somehow, I was allowing him to tempt me with the promise of delicious food and desserts.

Or, well, I was telling myself that food was the reason I was contemplating going. Deep down, I knew that had nothing to do with it.

This was about longing.

It was about wanting to believe that perhaps he was right about me being lucky. Maybe fate was playing a role in this. Perhaps I couldn't look at everything that had happened before now as a reason to never open myself up to someone else again.

The truth was, even if I declined his invitation and Cooper walked away after the charity event—something I didn't believe he'd ever do—I knew I'd never forget him. And wouldn't that be worse?

Why would I purposely put myself in that position? Then again, if whatever this was that was happening between Cooper and me went sideways, I had no doubt I'd be wrecked.

I hated this feeling of being stuck, like no matter what I did, I could have been making a huge mistake.

Inhaling deeply, I reminded myself that Cooper hadn't really put any pressure on me to do something I didn't want to do. He also claimed he understood where I stood with things and why I wasn't interested in getting into another relationship.

And other than the gentle and reassuring touch on my leg and the couple of times he'd called me sweetheart, Cooper hadn't indicated he was looking for something more. But it was hard to think he was merely bored and was in the market for a new friend, especially when he was as busy as he claimed to be.

Although I had believed I knew what I wanted, it was safe to say my mind was a bit muddled now. I wasn't quite sure I knew what I really wanted anymore.

It seemed Cooper did.

And since he'd been nothing but respectful, kind, and generous to me, I thought it was worth taking a chance for now.

I licked my lips and gave him a nod. "Okay. I'll join you for your birthday celebration."

"Really?" He sounded genuinely surprised as he sat up taller.

"Yes, but only under one condition," I said, my voice shaky. I still worried I could wind up regretting this.

"What's that?"

"I'm terribly uncomfortable in situations with large crowds, especially when I don't know anyone," I started, my eyes dropping to my lap for a moment. Following a beat of silence, I lifted my gaze, looked across the lake, and finally focused on him again, my belly fluttering. "I would feel a whole lot better if you wouldn't mind picking me up, so I could arrive with you."

I didn't think Cooper had any idea as to what I was going to say, but it was apparent he was moved by what I had said. Something softened in his features, and he tipped his head slightly to one side as his eyes roamed over my face. "I'll do that on one condition."

I cocked a brow. "Which is?"

"You let me pick you up the night before to take you to the charity event."

It had become obvious to me that my defenses were crumbling a bit and Cooper was a guy I believed I could trust, at least to the extent I didn't think I had to worry about him physically harming me. So, I agreed, "That sounds like a deal to me."

"Perfect. Now, we should probably get some of these intimate details worked out, don't you think?" he asked.

"Yeah, that's probably a good idea."

"Want to do some rapid-fire questions to make that happen?"

He was so nonchalant about it, I thought it was wise for me to be the same, so I shrugged. "Sure. Why not?"

"Okay. Let's start with the one I asked earlier. What's your favorite color?"

"Purple. Yours?"

He grinned at me. "Blue."

Until he said it, I didn't think it would have mattered to me to know that bit of information. Now that I had it, I wanted more. So, I smiled brightly at him and said, "And since you already know what my favorite food is, I think it's only fair I know yours."

"Burgers. Beach or mountains?"

I sucked in air between my teeth and said, "Ooh, that's tough. They're really close, but I guess I'm going to go with mountains. You?"

"Mountains. Hands down."

For some reason, that didn't surprise me. I had expected he'd say that, and I liked that there was at least one thing we had in common so far. Loving how this little game was making me feel, I beamed at him before I asked the next question. "Sunrise or sunset?"

Cooper took no time to consider his answer. "Sunrise. I like to get up and get things accomplished, and daylight gives me the energy to do that. You?"

And we were back to being opposites. "If I need to be productive, then it's sunrise. But there's something I love about a nice sunset in the evenings, particularly if I'm not at work. If I had to choose one, it would be sunsets."

I watched as a look washed over his face that reminded me a lot of the way I felt when Cooper told me his favorite color was blue. Maybe I wasn't the only one thoroughly enjoying this.

Following a beat of silence, Cooper asked another question. For a long time afterward, we continued to go back and forth, learning bits of random information about one another. I was surprised at how much fun it was to learn so many unique details about a man I was merely going to pretend to be dating.

Was there more happening here for me than just this secret scheme to fool Simon and Maria? I wondered what he would have said if I asked him that question.

Of course, I didn't ask, but the conversation did take a turn. I was surprised it was me who steered it in a new direction.

"Favorite childhood memory?" I asked.

I had expected Cooper would need to take a moment to consider his answer to that, since he'd likely have a slew of memories to sift through.

I was wrong, because he didn't hesitate to share, "It's a tie between the Christmas holidays and summer breaks."

"Was there some specific incident that put those two in the top spot?" I pressed, my eyes widening in surprise.

Cooper shook his head with a laugh, reaching his hand out and resting it on my leg just above my knee.

My eyes dropped to it briefly, noting the feel of his rough, calloused palm on my skin. It felt better than I had imagined.

I lifted my gaze back to his face when he removed his hand after offering a gentle squeeze and answered, "No. I think it's simply the memories I have in general of those times. I don't remember exactly what happened each year. It's not like I can recall any specific gift I got for Christmas or what year I received it. But I remember the traditions we had at Christmas and during our summer breaks. Everything from decorating the house—my mom goes over the top with nutcrackers every year—to the food we had or the excitement we'd feel on Christmas morning. In the summer, we'd have an entire week when my brothers and sisters and I would stay with our grandparents. My grandparents would plan a whole week of different activities at their house. I just remember having a lot of fun."

That was the best answer he could have given me. Because even though I couldn't give him the same response, I'd found another thing we had in common.

Our love for our families.

Cooper's favorite memories weren't about things he received or trophies he won. Both memories involved the time he spent with his family.

"And here I thought we were going to struggle to find anything we had in common," I murmured.

He tipped his head to the side and eyed me curiously. I could hear a bit of the hesitation in his tone when he asked, "What makes you say that? What is your favorite childhood memory?"

I offered a reassuring smile, reaching out to rest my hand on Cooper's arm. I didn't want him to think I was going to break down into tears over this. "Obviously, I didn't get nearly as much time with my parents as I would have liked, but the time I had with them was magical. Like you, I don't remember every detail of all that we did together, but when I do think about them, I remember always feeling happy. The moments that stand out for me are these snippets of time together. We took a trip to the beach every summer, and I remember my parents taking turns to read with me every night."

Cooper covered my hand with his, his fingers stroking over the skin there gently. "I can't begin to imagine how it must feel not to have your family any longer, but I love that even with losing them at such a young age, you still have some lasting memories with them."

Okay.

So, I hadn't intended to cry.

But Cooper was being so sweet, it was difficult not to get emotional. Tears welled in my eyes, and just as one escaped, he reached out and brushed it away with the pad of his thumb. His touch was tender, and the look on his face was apologetic.

"I didn't mean to upset you," he said softly, his hand dropping to my leg once again.

Shaking my head slightly, I smiled at him and wiped at my eyes. "You didn't do anything wrong. I brought up the question, and I'm happy I shared with you. I just..." I trailed off as I shrugged. "I just miss them and wonder what life would be like if I had family with me again. I'll be okay, though."

A wave of determination seemed to flicker over Cooper's face. I couldn't describe it, but I could feel something strong emanating from him.

Unsure I was prepared to hear whatever it was, I chose not to acknowledge it, and fortunately, Cooper jerked his head to the shore and said, "I'm having a great time with you, but it's getting late, and I know you have to get to work. Should we call it a day?"

Disappointment washed over me. I'd had such a great time, too, and I would have loved nothing more than to have another hour or two with him. "Yeah, that's probably a good idea."

Cooper began maneuvering the boat in that direction and asked, "So, what do you think? Do we know enough now to be convincing?"

"I think so. Don't you?"

He dipped his chin. "I feel much more prepared for it now than I did before this date."

There was that word I'd been trying to avoid—date. Maybe I'd come into this with intentions to keep it strictly an agreement or arrangement between us, but now that I'd learned all I had about Cooper and had at least some admission from him that he wasn't viewing this in the same way that I'd been trying to, perhaps it was okay to allow myself not to be so rigid about it.

Would it be so wrong to find a sliver of happiness?

Cooper and I made it back to the shore, got off the boat, and walked back to the parking lot together.

"This was a lot of fun, Cooper. I had a nice time."

He brought his hand to the middle of my back, stroked his hand up and down, and replied, "I'm glad to hear that. I enjoyed myself and, if nothing else, I know we won't be bored at the benefit."

Despite the warmth of the sun, a shiver ran down my spine at his touch. I swallowed past the budding nerves and offered my agreement. "I think you might be right about that. I'm actually looking forward to going now."

We made it to my car, where Cooper said, "I promise not to disappoint you."

There was such resolve in his voice, I silently questioned whether he was indicating something more than just a good time at the benefit. Of course, I didn't dare ask him that.

Instead, I smiled and said, "Thank you."

"You're welcome."

Cooper and I said goodbye to one another, and by the time I climbed into my car and drove home to get myself ready to go to work, I realized that I had been genuinely happy for the first time in months, and it was Cooper who had given that to me, making it impossible to wipe the smile off my face for the rest of the day.