Page 60 of The Most Perfect Wrong

He interrupts me. “Why shouldn’t you have said things? Was it the truth?” He looks at me with a challenge in his eyes, and Iknow he sees right through me. “That was the most honest I’ve ever seen you. There’s no reason to feel bad about that.”

“Of course I feel bad. I took almost five years of my relationship and discredited it in thirty seconds. I still care for Brad. He has a lot of great qualities, and I made him out to be some asshole just because things are rocky right now. We’ve had our moments, you know? Times when it felt… good, sometimes even great.”

“Okay. You don’t have to justify anything to me, Cooper. This is your life, not mine. If you say things are good, then all I can do is hope that they are.”

God, he doesn’t believe me.

I don’t know if I even believe myself.

“Okay. Can we please just talk about something else?” I ask.

“Sure. What do you want to talk about?”

“I don’t know. Anything but this. Do you like rom-coms?”

“Random… But yeah, I enjoy a rom-com, as long as it’s not too girly.”

“What’s your favorite rom-com?”

He grins. “Wedding Crashers.”

I laugh. “Is that just the universal favorite for all men?”

“Don’t you like it?” he asks.

“Of course I like it. Who doesn’t like that movie?”

“So what’s your favorite rom-com then?”

“When Harry Met Sally,” I say, unable to keep from smiling. “I just love the whole friends-falling-in-love thing. They just have each other’s backs, you know? They support each other… and there’s this deep trust. It’s just a beautiful story. The kind of relationship where, when they’re old and gray, Harry can’t get it up, and Sally’s too tired, it won’t matter.” I glance at Ryan, and he’s smiling. “They’ve built this solid friendship underneath it all. They’ll still have things to talk about, or just enjoy sitting insilence. That’s a rare find.” I shrug. “I don’t know. I guess that’s something I hope for one day.”

Ryan stares at me, like he’s seeing straight through to my soul. “It is a rare thing. And I hope you find it someday,” he says softly.

* * * * * ?* * * * *

Ryan and I walk through the terminal together in comfortable silence, having already talked plenty on the flight back. Today went well. It was our last day in Austin, and it was productive. We visited a few more co-working spaces, reviewed lease agreements, and ultimately chose Austin Work Space, securing corporate approval. It’s a relief to have that stress lifted.

Things have been easy between us today, though after the kiss in the pool, our late-night confessions, and the almost-kiss last night, the tension between us is high—an undeniable chemistry, simmering just below the surface.

Ryan and I reach the point where we part ways—him heading to parking and me to passenger pick up, where Brad’s waiting for me.

He stops, turning to me with a small smile. “Well, I’ll see you Monday. Interesting trip…” He chuckles. “But productive, at least.”

“It was definitely interesting,” I say, managing a smile.

He pulls me into a hug, and I can’t help myself—I melt into it. When I pull back, Ryan’s eyes meet mine. “Be strong, alright? Don’t be a puppet.”

I nod. “See you, Ryan.” I turn to head toward Brad, unsure of what awaits me—or what I’m leaving behind.

* * * * * ?* * * * *

Brad pulls up and hops out to grab my bag. “Hey, baby.” He pulls me in for a kiss, and I reluctantly kiss him back, though my instinct is to resist.

I settle into the passenger seat, my guard up, ready for battle. As Brad pulls onto the road, I turn up the music, hoping to avoid conversation.

After a few minutes, Brad reaches over, lowering the volume. He gives me a sidelong glance. “Are you just planning to not speak to me, Cooper?”

I shrug. “I really don’t know what to say.”

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