Page 32 of The Most Perfect Wrong

I let out a short laugh. “What do I strike you as?”

She shrugs. “I don’t know… the relationship guy.”

“I guess I’m still looking for that special someone. Sometimes life doesn’t go according to plan.”

Her eyes narrow slightly. “So… what? You just haven’t found that special someone? You don’t even date. How do you find what you want when you’re not even trying?”

“I had what I wanted, it’s just…” I look over at her. “Never mind.”

“What do you mean, never mind?”

I hesitate. “Nothing… It’s complicated.”

“Complicated how? Is this about the relationship you mentioned in Newport? Was it serious, or…?” she trails off, maybe sensing she hit a nerve.

My grip tightens on the steering wheel. “Something like that,” I mutter.

She turns to look out the window, and I catch her reflection in the glass—her lips pressing together like she wants to saysomething more but isn’t sure she should. “Complicated doesn’t mean impossible, you know.”

There’s something in her voice that makes me glance over. She’s still staring out the window, but I can tell she’s thinking hard about something.

We drive in silence for a minute. Finally, I break it. “So, Brad’s coming to the party tomorrow night?”

“Yeah,” she says. “He wasn’t going to, but I guess he wants to meet everyone, see what it’s all about.”

I nod. “Should be interesting.” The words come out heavier than I intended. I’m not sure what’s worse—the idea of meeting her fiancé or the fact that I’m going to our work Christmas party alone.

We pull up in front of her building, and she starts to unbuckle her seatbelt. Then she pauses, her hand on the door handle, and turns to look at me. “Thanks for the ride, Ryan. And for… you know, not letting me take an Uber.”

“No problem,” I say, trying to keep my voice even. “And, Cooper?”

She pauses, her brow furrowing slightly. “Yeah?”

I take a breath, choosing my words carefully. “About earlier… I know it’s complicated. But if things were different, I think you’d know exactly what I’m looking for.…”

A moment of silence fills the car while she just looks at me. And then a slow, almost sad smile forms on her lips. “Goodnight, Ryan.”

She steps out of the car, closing the door softly behind her. I watch as she disappears into the building, then lean back in my seat and let out a long breath. Damn, I’m playing with fire.

Chapter 11

COOPER

The ringing of my phone startles me awake. I push my sleeping mask up, wincing as the daylight blinds me.God, what time is it?My hand fumbles for my phone on the nightstand, and I squint at the screen—Casey’s calling, and it’s almost 11:00 AM. I swipe to answer, my voice groggy. “Holy shit, sis. I’m just waking up.”

Casey laughs. “Oh my God. Isn’t it like eleven there? Are you hungover or something?”

“No. I had a couple of drinks last night, but only two. Ugh, I hate sleeping this late. Makes me feel tired all day.”

“Yeah, I hate that too.” Casey pauses. “Hey, did you book your flight out here yet? Or at least figure out the dates? I’m trying to plan some holiday stuff and I don’t want to overlap with your visit.”

“I haven’t booked it yet. I’m still waiting on Brad. But don’t plan around me. I’ll be there for at least a week, maybe longer. I’ll talk to him today and let you know.”

“Okay. So, did you go out with girlfriends last night?”

“No, I was working late.”

“But you said you had drinks,” she says, confused.

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