Page 74 of The Most Perfect Wrong

Leo pauses, his lips pressing together, then exhales. “But not too much. You’re better than that. Help her see what she’s missing—what she deserves—but don’t lose yourself in the process.”

“I think you’re right,” I murmur, nodding, feeling a new determination settle over me. Leo’s absolutely right—it’s time I stop playing it safe and make it damn clear what Cooper could have with me compared to what she’s been stuck with. This isn’t about breaking the rules or revenge. It’s about waking her up to what she deserves.

I’m done holding back, done letting Brad think he’s got her wrapped around his finger. Over the next month? I’m turning up the heat. Every look, every text, every laugh—I’ll make her feel it. She’ll know I’m here, wanting her in every way that Brad clearly isn’t.

I’ve already crossed the line—more than once. The pool, the elevator. And I feel guilty as hell for it. But seeing the way Bradtreats her? It’s clear: he never had a line to begin with. Still, I can’t let myself slip again. No physical boundaries crossed—not even a kiss—until she leaves him.

Everything else? The green light’s on.

Chapter 23

COOPER

“Has Brad landed yet?” Casey asks, taking a sip of her hot chocolate.

I check my phone again. “Not yet,” I say, as I wrap my blanket a little tighter around myself. It’s late, dark out. The heat lamps on my dad's patio are turned up, and we’re both dressed for the cooler temperature. The Christmas lights wrapping around the patio railing are on, and it’s pitch black as we stare into the abyss. Only the sounds of the ocean and the waves crashing against the sand proves that there’s a big body of water out there. “He should be landing any minute.”

It’s almost eight. This is Casey’s and my Christmas Eve tradition when we’re at my dad’s house. We eat dinner with my dad on the patio and watch the sunset, then me and Casey sit here with our hot chocolate until she leaves. We used to stay here until we were falling asleep, but now that she has Mason, she leaves a little earlier to get him to bed.

She checks her watch. “I’ve got to get going in a few minutes.”

My phone lights up. “That must be Brad.” I pick it up, and my heart stops. It’s not Brad—it’s Ryan. I haven’t seen or heard from him for four days—since the elevator incident.

I instinctively suck in a sharp breath, my hand flying to my mouth in shock.

“What?” Casey asks.

“It’s Ryan.”

Casey’s eyes go wide. “Well, what does it say?”

I shouldn’t want to look at it as much as I do. Brad’s on his way, and it’s Christmas—my favorite holiday. I usually love spending this time with him, but this year, I have mixed feelings about it.

I open my messages, letting out my breath in disappointment.

“What does it say?” Casey presses, more urgently this time.

I hesitate. “It says ‘Hey…’” I don’t know why I feel let down. What was I expecting?Hey, Cooper, can’t stop thinking about you. Want to sneak off and bone?

I laugh to myself, tipping my chin toward the sky.

“Okay…” Casey says slowly. “A little anti-climatic, but hey—he’s thinking of you.”

“Right,” I say. “And why is that something that makes me happy?”

Casey shrugs. “Because you like him.” She smiles softly, and I appreciate her honesty. But sometimes, I wish she’d just smack some sense into me, tell me what to do. I know she’s never liked Brad, and part of me wants her to outright say, ‘Leave him.’ But she won’t. That’s not her style. She doesn’t believe in telling me how to live my life, even when I wish she would. Even when I’m desperate for someone to pull me out.

“Well text him back,” Casey urges.

Instead, she just encourages me to flirt with Ryan. To pretend Brad doesn’t exist. To be dishonest. Just like she did that night in Newport. And for some reason, I take Casey’s advice as gospel, even when I know it’s wrong. It makes it easier to justify because part of me already feels this way—like if two of us think it, it can’t be entirely wrong.

“What do I even say? Just…Hey?”

“Yeah. Or you could just skip to the chase and send him a nudie.” She laughs, and I join her.

“Oh, he’d love that.”

“Who wouldn’t? You’re a hot piece of ass, Coop. Any manshouldfeel like the luckiest man alive to be with you.”

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