Page 31 of The One Before

“Right,” I say, studying my face in the mirror. “Just a warmer shade of blonde, perhaps?”

“You got it,” she says, turning on her heels. “I’ll be right back.”

Perhaps I need to ease back to my natural color. I’d come across more mature, more respectable. In the city, whenever people hit me with a dumb blonde joke, I’d name drop theChronicle, but I’ve lost that power chip.

Behind me, I see Josephine is still leaned back, her mouth moving a mile a minute. It’s impossible to hear what she’s saying with the cacophony of hair dryers and running faucets and southern accents. Monica returns with a bowl full of color and a packet of foil. She gets to work painting and folding my hair. I close my eyes, trying to ignore her gentle tugging and relax.

“So, how did you and Cooper meet?” she asks, interrupting my meditation. “Atlanta, right?”

“Yeah,” I say, closing my eyes again. “We met at work.”

“Give me more than that,” she says, and I can see in the mirror that she’s smiling. “Like, how did you meet? What’s your story?”

I rarely ponder those early weeks anymore. I’m too busy dealing with the present, moving from one issue to the next. It’s almost magical looking back, thinking something so mundane could unfold into one of the most meaningful relationships of my life. Perhaps that’s what we all go through. Love at first sight rarely exists; instead, you look back one day and it is suddenly there.

“I was a writer,” I begin. “I’d been working at this paper for several years. My schedule kept me busy, so I didn’t have much time for dating. Coop was hired, started doing entry-level work. Our paths didn’t cross much, but I remember noticing him. He had this confidence about him that caught my eye. This sense of self, but not in a cocky way. I didn’t really get to know him until a few weeks later, after our office Christmas party.

“I think we both had one too many drinks. By the end of the night, we’d been at the bar for hours. We talked about everything. Families, friends, career ambitions. He told me all about life here in Whisper Falls, which amazed me because I’d never lived anywhere outside of the city. He told me about his family’s newspaper, that the only reason he was in Atlanta was to gain some real-world experience before taking over theGazette. Most guys I’d dated at that point were running the rat race, busy showing each other up. Coop already had his whole life figured out, and that was incredibly attractive.”

“I bet so,” Monica says, painting the back of my hair.

I think I forgot she was there. I was rambling, almost entirely to myself. It’s been so long since I thought of that night. I chuckle when I think about the felt Santa hat sliding off his head and the gross holiday light necklace I wore. Who would have thought such a garish tradition would result in me meeting my future husband? I didn’t. Love was the furthest thing from my mind back then, and perhaps that’s why it was so easy to find.

“How did he pop the question?” Monica asks.

“We went to dinner with friends. Afterward, he invited people back to our place. I thought it was going to be another night of drinking and throwing darts. Next thing I know, he’s down on one knee.” I think back to that moment, my surprise. Beth and Matt and some colleagues from theChroniclewere there. They all looked so happy for us. Said we were an ideal fit.

“That’s sweet he got others involved.”

“My best friend, Beth, helped him sort things out. It was very intimate. Perfect, really.”

“Your ring is gorgeous,” she says. I can feel her towering over me to get a better look.

“Thank you. It’s a Douglas family heirloom.”

“Very fancy,” she sings.

Then there’s that, like I’m only along for the purse strings. My interactions in Whisper Falls to date have made me wary of what others think. I never used to care, but I’m not used to this dynamic of people either kissing your ass or cutting you down. It’s made me cynical, but Monica genuinely seems interested, and from the praises she’s offered Josephine, she must be someone who firmly sides with the Douglases.

“So you grew up with Coop, Roman and Regina, right?” I say, giving her a chance to talk. It would be nice to hear some pleasant memories about Coop’s past for a change.

“We all knew them, of course. Regina and I had a few classes together but she was a bit of a loner. I was a late bloomer myself. Didn’t get close to any of them until later.”

“Yeah?” I ask, thinking there’s more. Maybe Regina actually has a friend.

Monica turns around, scoping out where Josephine might be. “Roman and I had a little fling a few years back. Nothing serious.” She smiles. “He’s a real special guy.”

I can see it. Monica and Roman. They’re both attractive, although Roman is rough around the edges. I can’t tell from Monica’s expression whether they were serious or not. Maybe she doesn’t even know.

“They’re always making comments about Coop being the first one to tie the knot.”

Monica laughs. “Yeah, can’t say I see the other two getting hitched anytime soon.” She smiles as she continues fiddling with the foils. “Roman’s a decent guy. Just not big on commitment.”

“What about you?” I ask, kindly maneuvering the conversation to a different topic. “Are there eligible bachelors in Whisper?”

“Not really.” She laughs again, nervously. “My current boyfriend lives in Knoxville. We see each other on the weekends.”

“Nice.” I can’t imagine why anyone would live here if they didn’t have to. I guess I’ll truly never understand how a place this small can have such a tight hold on its residents.

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