Page 109 of Love Thy Neighbor

Just like I know I’m going to have to face him eventually.

“Come on.” She reaches across the counter for her purse, then ushers me toward the door. “Let’s walk back together and talk about what I need to do to convince you to have a permanent spot in the shop.”

* * *

I toldRiver I wanted to grab something at The Gravy Train for dinner, and I was thankful she was too excited to get home to Dean to think much of it and went ahead without me.

I don’t need anything other than a moment to breathe and think before facing Cooper.

I pull the door open and step into the quiet diner, letting the familiar scent of pie wash over me.

It’s comforting, and right now I could go for some comfort.

“Hey, kiddo,” Darlene says when I walk up to the counter. “Why the long face? I heard you ladies did great at the festival today. You should be smiling, not frowning.”

“You heard about that? How?”

“I keep up on my favorites.” She smirks. “Plus, Dean stopped by earlier to get pie for River.”

She curls her lips at the mention of Dean, and I try to hide my laugh at her contempt toward him. She still hasn’t forgiven him for making River upset.

“What can I get for you tonight, dear?”

“Do you happen to have any fresh coffee?”

Her brows shoot up. “Coffee? For you? This late?”

I nod. “Please.”

I have a feeling it’s going to be a long, sleepless night anyway. What’s one more coffee going to hurt?

A frown pulls at her lips. “I don’t mean to pry, but whatever’s going on between you and that handsome boyfriend of yours, you’ll work it out.”

“What do you mean?”

“Come on, I was a young gal once, and I had plenty of boy troubles in my day. I’m going to assume he did something really dumb.”

I nod.

She huffs, resting her elbows on the counter. “Figures. He’s been spending too much time with Dean. That boy’s brand of stupid was bound to rub off on him a little.”

I snicker.

“What did he do?”

I give her a rundown, and she gasps.

“That beautiful, beautiful dumb boy.” She tsks. “I don’t blame you for being mad. Heck, I’m madforyou.”

I smile. “Thanks, Darlene.”

“Of course. Us girls have to stick together.” She winks and pats my hand. “Listen, I know this is a shitty situation, but for what it’s worth, I’ve seen the way Cooper looks at you—and I don’t just mean since you two finally pulled your heads out of your butts over a month ago. For as long as you two have been coming here, I’ve seen it. He looks at you like you’re his everything. That boy is madly in love with you.”

Love?

I can’t help but feel if that were the case, he wouldn’t have done what he did today.

“Did that thought not cross your mind?” Darlene asks, drawing my attention back to her.

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