Chapter One

Iris

Desperate times call for desperate measures. If my brother's best friend won't come to me… I'll go to him. I think people call that women's empowerment, or maybe this is the exact opposite of that, and the mere statement alone is an insult to women everywhere. Either way, you get my point, right? I'm about to take charge of my life.

No more sulking. No more crying. No more wishing Cooper Andrews would fall head over heels in love with me. Nope, I'm going to make that happen.

Currently, making that happen means studying him, learning his every move. What he likes, what he dislikes, what he eats, how he sleeps, and what he does with his free time. I'll become that person and… yeah, I'm pretty sure that's where the women"s empowerment people would get upset with me. Realistically, I acknowledge that becoming a chameleon won't get me anywhere long term, but maybe it'll get him talking to me again.

We used to talk all the time. Lately, it's like I don't exist.

I lean back in the armchair and pretend to read a book I brought from home while I watch Cooper in the living room. He's relaxed with his feet up, wearing jeans and a loose flannel top. His beard is longer than it was the last time I saw him, and he has more tattoos, too. They cover his arms and neck. I'm sure other places as well, but I can't see that from here.

His laptop is balanced on his legs and he's scrolling through something pretty intently. He has been for the last thirty minutes. I can't figure out why he's not enjoying this huge cabin. My brother and sister-in-law rented out the place for the weekend and invited me to watch their kids. They invited Cooper because they invite him to everything. I'm pretty sure they think he's lonely.

Maybe I'll test that theory. If he's lonely, he'll want to talk. If he's not, he'll blow me off. Plus, everyone else is out right now. It's as good a time as any.

I stand from the armchair and walk toward him, gulping air as I move. So many parts of this are wrong. Not with my walking. The walking is fine, so far, though with every step I'm getting increasingly more paranoid I'll trip and fall on my face. The part that's wrong is the part where I'm in love with Cooper. He's established, focused, successful, and smart. I'm none of those things and currently not even on his radar.

Maybe I should go back to studying him.

This is a terrible idea. The man is like family, and if I screw this up, I'll have messed up most of my siblings' lives. Not to mention that they have already told me not to go for it for years. Whenever I've mentioned it, to test the temperature of the room, I get hit with the ‘he's too old for you' or ‘you're not really his type,' but what do they know?

I drag in a deep breath and take another step as my brain fumbles with the thought of turning around. That chair is comfortable and the book I brought is supposed to be good, though I wouldn't know, considering I haven't actually read it. I can't seem to focus with Cooper around.

Maybe I should just go back to my seat, but… I'm already up. I mean, I'm like twenty feet away. He's probably heard me by now.

Oh, shit! Maybe I should have planned something profound and intriguing to say. Something that will get his mind working, let him know I'm smart.

Yeah, that's it! Let's go with something about computers or architecture. He's an architect, so I'm sure he appreciates the beams in the cabin. Architects like beams, right?

My heart pounds as I get closer to the couch. I wore a little black sundress and I'm regretting it. The fabric is suddenly clinging to my waist. I should've worn something loose, something less form fitting. I shouldn't be showing this much cleavage. It's still spring. Everyone knows cleavage is for summer.

I'm two feet from about to break into a sweat when he looks toward me and smiles. "Iris! I didn't hear you." His tone is rich and deep. God, he's perfect.

My knees weaken. "Yeah, I was nervous for milk. Hungry. I mean, thirsty. Thirsty for milk. I'm going to have milk."

He looks away and smiles.

What the hell is wrong with me?

"Milk does a body good." He laughs under his breath and stands from the couch.

"Sorry. Late night with the kids. You'd think Bryan would have them all trained by now," I say in a halfhearted attempt to cover stupidity with humor. "I just came down for some breakfast. How are you?"

How are you?I've been reciting this for years and what I come up with is how are you?

He brushes his hand down over his beard as morning light from the large picture windows filters through. "Alright. It's hard getting away without worrying about getting behind on work. What about you? It's been a while since we caught up."

I want to call him out on it, remind him how close we used to be, tell him it's been more than a while. It's been five years, Cooper! Five years since you've had a real conversation with me.

"Good, I guess. I'm starting a little shop down on Main, so that's fun."

He nods and leans his giant frame against the back counter. I can't tell if he's staring at me or the lake behind me. I pretend it's me. "What kind of shop?"

"It might not happen, anyway. I'm having issues with permits. Kinda crazy, considering my brother is on the board."

He laughs. "Why's that?"

"Everything on Main Street has to be shorter than a tree. So, I had to pull back on a few of my design plans. I wanted a huge bear with a canoe on top of the building to draw people in. Apparently, that's not allowed." I smile and pull a box of cereal down from the cupboard. I don't know why, I'm not even hungry. "I'd always wondered why no one had done that. Now I know."

"That's okay. It's an easy fix. I can take a look at the plans for you. What kind of shop is it? You selling sporting goods?"

I nod. "Yeah. I'm going to rent out fishing poles, kayaks, and bikes for tourists to use out at the river. It'll probably be a big flop, but it's where my heart is. Dad and I would load us girls into the truck, and we'd ride out to the honey hole behind the house every Sunday. We'd just sit by the river all day eating snacks and talking. I don't think we caught more than a dozen fish my whole childhood."

Cooper reaches out for my hand, swallowing it up with warmth. "I'm sorry about your dad. He was a great guy, and he'd have loved the idea of you carrying on the tradition with the town. I hope someday I can be as cool as your dad was." He clears his throat. "Are you okay with everything? I've wanted to reach out, but I didn't know what to say."

"Yeah," I swallow hard, "I haven't heard from you in a while."

He crosses his arms over his chest and glances away before turning toward me again. He's uncomfortable. Maybe I make him uncomfortable. Maybe he doesn't like me at all. I mean, that makes the most sense. When you like someone, typically you talk to them when big events happen. You don't run in the opposite direction.

"Sorry. I've been so busy. I don't know my head from my ass most days." Even he knows his excuse is lame. I can tell by the way he shifts in place and looks away again. "So, how'd you get roped into this weekend? I'm sure you have a lot to do if you're opening up a store."

"Everyone else was busy." I attempt a lighthearted chuckle, but it comes out like a jarring cackle. Could this go any worse right now?

The part about everyone else being busy is partially the truth, partially a lie. Yes, everyone else was busy, but also, I wanted to be trapped in the same space with Cooper so I could force myself to make my move. "It's not so bad. I need the break, and Shanna really needs help. She's not giving herself a break at all. They're both really burned out. I have no idea why they took the girls on a walk without grabbing me first."

Cooper raises his brow. "They do seem exhausted. It's good, though. Kids are good."

I cock my head to the side. I never took Cooper for the kind of guy who felt he was missing out on something. Then again, I haven't had a real conversation with him in years.

"You want the whole family thing? I didn't see that coming."

He laughs and reaches for the box of cereal, tucking his big hand inside for a handful of toasted oats. "I do, but I'm a workaholic. Women don't appreciate that. They want a man who has time for vacations and romantic dinners and all that shit. I can't stop myself from working. Successful at business… not so successful personal life."

"You still have time."

"Do I? I'm pretty sure when you hit your mid-forties, your window is closing. I think that's why your brother planned this weekend."

My brows narrow. "I'm not following."

"He's picking up some girl he wants me to get to know. I guess I'm that desperate now."

My heart sinks, and I swear I see spots. "I thought he was on a walk."

"They went for a walk this morning, but after that, they left for the train station. She's coming in from Nashville, I guess. I don't know. Dating isn't my thing, and blind dates are the worst."

I would speak if I had any moisture left in my mouth, but I don't. I'm clear out. I might be out of air too, because all I want to do is run, but my body is locked in place.

"Are you okay? Your face is pale, like you're going to be sick." He moves around the kitchen island and steps toward me, shoving the rest of the cereal into his mouth before landing his hand on the small of my back.

I've wanted him to touch me for years. Now that he is, I want him to stop.

"I think I might be. Maybe I should head home. I'm not sure I can—"

"No, don't go. Please. I don't think I can get through this weekend without you." His words have caught me off guard.

"Me?Why me? You've gotten along all this time on your own." My tone is snarky as it escapes my lips, and totally out of line.

Damn it!

He brushes his hand down over his beard and looks away as though he's trying to decide what to say next.

My heart is on edge, pounding against my chest with hard, heavy beats. I want to swallow up that last sentence. It was weird and stupid and childish. He's a grown man. Grown men don't talk to their best friend's little sister on the regular.

The front door opens, and my breath is once again gone. My brother and sister-in-law stand in the doorway, holding my nieces in their arms, while welcoming in a woman who makes me want to vomit. She's tall and thin. Her hair is long and blond. Her eyes are blue, and her breast to waist ratio is that of a rap song. Even I can't look away.

Thank God they can't see Cooper and I from where they're standing.

Stomach turning, I head toward the stairs with plans to pack up and leave. I'm a strong and capable woman. I can start a business, I can change my building design, I can tell everyone I'm skipping out on college in favor of entrepreneurship, but I refuse to watch Cooper Andrews fall in love with another woman.

I'm two feet from the end of the staircase when Cooper's rough hand wraps around my forearm. "Where are you going?"

I roll my eyes. "Upstairs. I don't feel well."

He glances behind him as though he's making sure no one has seen him, then looks toward me. "I'm coming with you."

I spin forward and climb the stairs one by one, my heart stuck somewhere between my chest and my stomach. There's a ten out of ten downstairs waiting for him, but for some reason, he's following me.

There must be a lack of oxygen to my brain, because there's no way this is really happening.

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