Page 114 of The Most Perfect Wrong

A slew of notifications awaits me: one from Casey, two from Ryan, and, of course, several from Brad.

“Fuck,” I mutter under my breath, exasperated.

Casey:Tried to call you. Need over the phone details about Ryan. No more of this text BS. Need to hear your voice.

I laugh to myself, shaking my head. I’d texted Casey yesterday about the sex with Ryan, but the day had been so hectic I hadn’t had a chance to call her back.

Ryan:Hope you still like me—just emailed HR. We’re officially dating at work.

Relief floods through me. Thank God we don’t have to worry about that anymore.

Ryan:Got us dinner reservations for tomorrow night. Dress code: whatever you feel sexy in. Underwear optional (smirk emoji)

A smile tugs at my lips. Why is he so damn cute? He’s taking me out tomorrow night. Our first official date.

Cooper:Oh, panties will definitely be left behind. Just hope you save room for dessert… I bought whipped cream. (winky face emoji)

My gaze shifts to Brad’s messages, and I’m tempted to delete them without reading. But I need to text him anyway—to let him know what time I’ll be over on Saturday to get my things. Leo and Vivian don’t come home until next weekend, so my threat tobring Leo won’t pan out. Not that Brad needs to know that. And I’ll be bringing Ryan with me.

Brad:Coop, I’m sorry. I was out of line last night. I don’t even know what came over me.

Brad:You know I’d never hurt you on purpose.

Brad:I’ll fix the bird, Coop. I saved all the pieces.

I scoff, shaking my head. Disbelief doesn’t even cover it—not with Brad. His behavior is exactly what I expect.

Does he really think trying to salvage my grandmother’s bird will erase what he did?

Brad:I hope you won’t start telling people lies about me.

Brad:I still love you, you know. I don’t want to fight. Just call me, please.

I stare at the screen, incredulous. He doesn’t want to fight? Is he delusional? I start typing.

Cooper:There’s nothing to fight about. We’re done. I’ll be by Saturday at noon with Ryan and Leo to get my things. If you don’t want things getting messy or the cops called, be gone from 12-5.

I grip the phone tight, anger erupting through me like a poison. A scream tears from my throat, raw and loud, releasing it into the empty air around me.

My nostrils flare as I take a deep breath, forcing myself to exhale slowly. My eyes drift back to my phone, catching another text from Ryan. Instantly, the tension in my body eases, replaced by a flood of relief and a small smile.

Ryan:God, I hope you’re serious. I’ll lick the entire can off your delicious body.

I grin, my mood officially salvaged. I guess my next stop is the grocery store.

I need whipped cream.

Chapter 34

RYAN

Last night was incredible. I took Cooper to dinner, and then we went for dessert—in my bedroom. Images of licking whipped cream off her body flash in my mind. Jesus, that was hot. But when she took over, licking it off me, her tongue swirling, her lips tight around me… Goddamn. We made a mess, and it was worth every second.

I’m getting hard just thinking about it.Not the time, Ryan. Get it together. I glance at Cooper beside me, gripping my hand like it’s her lifeline. Her anxiety practically vibrating off her.

I give her hand a reassuring squeeze as the elevator climbs to the eleventh floor. She looks pale, her breaths shallow.

“You okay?” I ask.

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