Page 118 of Collateral Damage
“I’m wearing shorts for the first time since last summer, and that’s thanks to you.”
I nudge him with my elbow. “That’s great, Cooper. I’m happy to be of service.”
He shoots me a devilish smirk. “Well, I do have a third leg to stand on, as you experienced last night, but I think this prosthetic is better suited for public exposure.”
I bust out laughing.
Leave it to Cooper to make a joke out of a serious conversation.
We go quiet for a minute, the silence feeling heavy. I’d focus on the rhythmic waves if I could, but my thoughts are too loud. Too frustrating. Demanding.
“You’re quiet,” Cooper points out. His voice is soft, but it cuts through my thoughts. “What’s going on?”
I bite my bottom lip. “Just thinking.”
He quirks an eyebrow, his usual smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. “Should I be worried?”
I roll my eyes. “Very funny.”
“Seriously, what’s on your mind?” He takes a step closer. “Are you okay about what happened last night?”
I hesitate, staring out at the water. The words are on the tip of my tongue, but saying them feels terrifying. “Are you sure friends with benefits is a good idea?”
He seems to deflate. “Only if you do. We don’t have to do that again. It might kill me, but I can go back to being platonic friends if you need.”
“No.” The word flies out of my mouth, and my cheeks heat. I clear my throat, trying to regain some composure. “I don’t want to stop what we’ve started.”
“Then what do you want?” He sounds hopeful, and that gives me a boost of courage.
“With you, given our history together, I think we would be better suited to be one or the other. Friends or…”
He raises a brow. “Or?”
“Don’t make me say it.”
He smiles so brightly it rivals the summer sun. “I’m going to make you say it. Please, go on, Valentine. Friends or what?”
“Friends or lovers,” I blurt. “Exclusive. Dating. In a relationship.”
His eyes drop to my lips, and he inches closer. “Which would you prefer?”
“I think we both know the answer to that.” My voice comes out husky, and fire burns in my cheeks, my heart racing. If this doesn’t go the way I want to it go, I think I’ll die, but something about being brave with him feels amazing.
“Yeah,” he says, his voice low. “I know the answer.”
My heart stumbles over a beat. “And?”
“And I have thought about this, too, but it’s hard. I don’t want to lose what we already have.”
I get it. “It’s okay if you don’t want to be more than friends. I won’t be mad at you. We can go back to things as they were before last night. I promise. I know how you are with women. I know you don’t do relationships and?—”
He stops my rambling with a soft, quick kiss. “Relax, Valentine,” he whispers against my mouth. “I want you.”
I break away even though I’d love to continue this kiss. “So… what now? We… try?”
The questions hang in the air between us. The thought of turning this into something real is exhilarating and terrifying all at once. But not trying? That feels worse.
“I think we do,” he says firmly, taking my hand and squeezing it before threading our fingers together. It’s a perfect fit. “I think we try, but only if we’re both all in.”
