Page 46 of Enticed

“You’re on your own, Coop,” he says before scooting around the two of us with Cash in tow.

“Nothing’s different, Liv. I’m just happy. My job is going well, especially since my shift hours have changed. I’ve been working out and taking care of myself more, and my niece is almost here, so that’s definitely exciting,” I sweet talk her while reaching out to rub her belly.

“Believe me, I can’t wait for her to be here either. Say, how did your date with Clara go?” She turns around and waddles forward to close the gap in the line, but glances back to watch for my reaction.

“Uh, good. Clara was a great sport and ran with Roark and me. We had lunch. It was nice.”

I’m nervous that she can see something else—like the secret I’m keeping from her about banging her best friend. She can’t possibly sense the feelings I’m harboring for Clara either—I hope.

I swallow hard and plaster a smile on my face before she turns back around and starts loading her plate with fruit.

“So that was it?”

“What do you want me to say, Liv? We fulfilled the terms of the contract from the auction. We had a nice time.”

She shrugs. “I don’t know. I just assumed I would have heard something from her about it or from you. But nothing. Was it weird?”

I’m not sure how to answer her, but I don’t want to be completely dishonest either. The truth is, I want more with Clara one day than just sneaking around. And in order for that to happen, Liv is going to have to be on board. I mean, if my sister couldn’t ever get past the two of us together, that wouldn’t stop me from pursuing her—but I can’t say the same for Clara. In fact, I’d bet good money that Clara would dissolve any relationship with me if Olivia wasn’t supportive. So I decide on a blend of the truth.

“Honestly, it was a little weird because I don’t think Clara and I have ever spent time just the two of us. But on the other hand, it felt natural—like we’ve always known each other and we were just getting reacquainted.”

“Was she well-behaved?” She smirks and I know exactly what she’s implying.

“She kept her hands to herself and only cracked a dozen sexual jokes.”

Olivia shakes her head. “That girl is something else. But I’m glad to see she’s still Clara. After December, I wasn’t sure what would happen with her. She’s always so proud and strong—being attacked like that—I was sure it was going to alter her more than I think it did.”

Curiosity gets the best of me because at that moment, I’m not sure if my sister knows exactly what happened to Clara. I don’t want to come right out and say something if that’s the case, so I prod in the best way I know how.

“What did she tell you happened?” We keep stepping forward in the line, gathering veggies, sandwiches, and homemade pasta and potato salads.

“Just that some guy she used to work with came in and tried to steal some files, but you guys got there before he was successful. She mentioned he held her at gunpoint, which is terrifying for sure—but that was it.”

Holy shit. My sister doesn’t even know the whole truth of what Clara went through that night. And if she doesn’t know that, I’m guessing she’s not privy to the fact that I’ve been picking her up drunk from the bar either.

“Well, Clara is tough and strong, like you said. She’s doing better from what I gather.” I can only reveal so much before I feel like I’m stepping over boundaries—but you can bet your ass I’ll be saying something to Clara when I see her next. I know she’s out of town this week for work and this is not a conversation I want to have with her over the phone—but it is a conversation we will be having. The future I want with her depends on it.

“She won’t talk about it, Coop. Every time I try to bring it up, she changes the subject.”

When we reach the end of the line, I grab silverware and napkins and we head to the table where Cash, Kane, and Drew are seated. Before we reach them, I grab Olivia’s arm to pull her attention back to me.

“I’ve been checking on her, Liv—ever since that night. You and I both know Clara isn’t the type to ask for help even if she is bottling stuff up inside. But I felt responsible to make sure she was okay after what we rushed in on. Maybe you should try getting her comfortable and then pry some more. I know she’s your best friend, but you’ve been busy and your life is about to change. Maybe she didn’t want to seem like a burden.”

Olivia purses her lips and then searches my eyes. “You care about her, don’t you, Coop?”

“Of course. She’s like another member of the family,” I lie as I focus down on my plate, although I do see her that way—but not in that sisterly way anymore. Clara has been a part of my life for years, and now that she’s there in an entirely different capacity, I can’t imagine her never being around.

“Hmmm,” she hums, and then turns and sits at the table next to her fiancé. We finish our lunch in casual conversation, but Olivia eyes me across the table every so often—contemplating every word I just spoke, I’m sure.

When we finish, Cash and I say our goodbyes and then check out of the school through the front office.

“Your sister seemed to be all up in your shit earlier,” Cash speaks as we fold ourselves in the cruiser and head for the station.

“Yeah and I hope I didn’t say anything to make her too suspicious. If she drills Clara, she is going to freak.”

“Maybe you should say that you’re seeing someone the next time you see Liv, so that way she doesn’t think much of it. Or, you and Clara should act like you hate each other in front of Liv so she never suspects the two of you would be fucking?” Cash’s eyes go wide like the brightest light bulb came on in his head.

“Um, yeah, I’ll think about that,” I say, mentally shaking my head. I don’t want to pretend to be in a relationship when the only woman I’m interested in is already letting me in. I just need to be patient—convince Clara that when the time is right, we’ll tell Liv and everyone else and it will all be okay. But before we get back to the station, I decide to shoot a text to Clara, just to give her the heads up.

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