Page 12 of Summer Nights

Cooper paused and faced me. "I think you have this all wrong. Duncan asked for help, and I'm willing to give it. There's no ulterior motive."

This time I raised a brow. "Are you sure about that?"

Cooper's face softened. "Not everyone wants something from you, and maybe I just want to help a kid who needs it." He boosted the bag onto his shoulder. "Besides, I like him."

"If you think you're going to get into my pants by going through my brother, you're wrong." I was a little embarrassed that I went that far, but I wanted to be clear.

Cooper drew up and looked at me. "Who said anything about that? You were clear it was a one-time thing."

I wanted to ask if he was going to push that boundary, but I didn't want to sound like I was eager for that to happen. He had me stuck. I needed to let this go, or it would seem like I wanted him.

"I bring him here ever Saturday afternoon, but if you don't show up?—"

Cooper's face softened. "I have your number. I'll let you know if I can't make it."

Relief flooded my system. I could handle rejection, but I didn't want Duncan to experience it. He didn't deserve to be cast aside by another man. "Okay."

Duncan and Rae ran up to us.

"I'll see you next week," Cooper said to Duncan.

"Yeah, okay."

"Be good until then," Coop said, and I wondered if he'd be a good role model for Duncan. God knows he needed one.

"I will."

"Thanks for helping Duncan with his shot," I said to him, grateful despite my reluctance to need anyone for anything.

"Anytime," Cooper said before heading to his truck.

We used the crosswalk to cross the street, filing into the coffee shop slash ice-cream store. I'd somehow managed to avoid interacting with Cooper outside of our friends' get-togethers or the inspections.

Cooper Kingston was a good man. He was nice to my brother, taking the time to show him a few basketball skills. To anyone else, that might not be much, but to me, it was huge.

I didn't want to set up a schedule where he could work with Duncan. It might be nice for now, but I anticipated for the inevitable fallout. People always let you down. Cooper would get busy or focused on something or someone else, and Duncan would be left behind.

I wouldn't let that happen. I looked out for my siblings because I could see the pitfalls before they could. I'd been through this before. I'd experienced the worst humanity had to offer, and I'd protect my brother and sister from it at all costs.

Cooper Kingston would move on from our little family. It was only a matter of time.

Chapter Four

Cooper

My pulse picked up in anticipation of seeing Ivy. She usually scheduled the inspections for after work hours so that I didn't have to take time away from my other projects. That meant she was usually alone in the house.

There was no possibility of anyone walking in on us. I didn't expect her to want to hook up again, or even entertain the idea, but I still hoped that something would happen.

So far, my impression of Ivy was that she didn't trust people to be there for her. She hated asking for help, and she didn't like relying on anyone. She probably hated that she needed me to take one last look at her buyers’ homes.

But she was even more protective of her siblings. She wouldn't let me hurt Duncan or Rae. If she had an inkling that I'd let them down, she'd shut me out.

I'd gotten all of that from the few meager interactions with her. She might allow herself to have fun with men here and there, but she hadn't let anyone in. I was positive of that without any solid evidence.

When I pulled up the truck, I had the sudden urge to test her, to see if she wanted more from me. But I had to avoid her logical side. I needed to appeal to the side of her that acted on instinct.

I knocked on the door, and as soon as it opened, I took her in. She wore her usual outfit of a blouse, slim-fitting skirt, and heels. I wondered what color bra she wore today. I stepped inside, and she locked the door behind us.

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