Page 54 of Enticed

“I think he could be.” It’s the first time I’ve felt myself surrendering to the fact that Cooper is not a casual fling, not just some guy I’m using for sex.

“Are you guys in a relationship?”

“I wouldn’t call it that.”

Perry smirks. “Uh, I would. He’s fixing you dinner, you’re having sex, you’re spending all of this time with him. Newsflash, Clara—that’s what you do in a relationship,” she says as she ticks the items off on her fingers.

“I don’t want to put a label on it,” I say, because the thought of putting a name to what we’re doing makes my body break out in a sweat.

If everyone knows about us, everyone thinks they’re entitled to an opinion about our relationship. And then with Cooper’s job—being at risk of dying every day just doing what he loves—if he got hurt worse than he did when he saved me, and heaven forbid he didn’t make it, that’s something I don’t think I could bounce back from.

And if I truly want to be with Cooper, I don’t think I should feel afraid of that idea. I keep telling myself that something will click—something will tell me that I want to give in to him and shout from the rooftops that we’re together. But until I sense that, things have to remain how they are.

“We should probably get back inside. I promised Liv I would help her organize the nursery when everyone left. But seriously, Clara,” she says as she stands, “You need to figure out what you want. It’s not fair to you and it’s not fair to Cooper to keep dragging this out.”

“I know. But Perry, thank you—for listening. Even though I didn’t want anyone to know, it feels good to know you do.”

“I just want to see you happy, Clara. And if Cooper is the man to make that happen, I think you owe it to yourself to let him in all the way.”

“I’ll think about it.”

I follow Perry inside just as Liv is opening her last present. Her living room seriously looks like Babies R Us threw up in here. Sure is a shame that company didn’t survive.

As Liv thanks her guests and they grab their shower favors, the women start to leave and Perry, Amy, and I start to help clean up. My phone dings in my pocket, so I fetch it and my face lights up when I see the message on the screen.

Cooper: Let me know when you get home from Liv’s shower so we can practice NOT making a baby.

I start to laugh and then catch myself as three sets of eyes study me.

“Who are you talking to that’s making you smile and laugh like that?” Liv asks as she tries to peek at my phone over my shoulder. I turn off the screen just in time so her eyes don’t catch Cooper’s message.

“No one. Just a friend who said something funny.”

“Must be pretty hilarious to make your face look like that. And hey, you have other friends besides us?” Liv jokes as she takes a seat on one of the stools at the island to supervise the cleaning, rubbing her belly with a pained expression on her face.

“Yes, I have other friends besides you three. Shoot me.”

“Damn, this kid is going to break a rib,” Liv winces.

“Maybe she’ll be the next Mia Hamm,” Perry declares. “And Clara, maybe you should introduce us to your other friend sometime soon,” she shoots me a knowing gaze and it’s all I can do not to jump over this island and punch her. Maybe Perry knowing about me and Cooper isn’t the best thing after all.

“Yeah, well, we’re all super busy. I’m sure you all have better things to do,” I wave her off and start to load the dishwasher.

“Nonsense. If your friend is important to you, they’re important to us.”

My eyes turn into thin slits as I watch her walk behind Liv and widen her eyes, pointing down at her head, mouthing, “Just tell her.” Liv shifts in her seat to look at Perry and then back at me.

“What’s going on?” Liv questions just as Amy drops a dish and it shatters all over the floor.

“Shit! I’m so sorry, Liv,” Amy apologizes as she bends down to pick up the large pieces of glass.

“It’s alright, Amy. It was an accident. But oh gosh, now you’re bleeding.” Liv points to Amy’s hand and sure enough, crimson blood is trickling down her wrist.

“Come on, I have a first aid kit in the bathroom.” Liv moves to stand, pushing her hefty belly up from the stool and guiding Amy down the hallway.

“What the fuck, Perry?” I snap my head over to her as she starts to sweep up the shards of glass still on the floor.

“I was just trying to give you an opportunity to tell her, Clara.”

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