Page 122 of Collateral Damage
William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar
Fifty-One
Sybil
Present - Age 27
I don’t know if I’ve ever been happier… or more terrified.
With one hand in mine and the other on the heavy glass door to the restaurant, Cooper pushes it open and leads me inside. The warm wave of chatter and the savory aroma greeting us aren’t enough to soothe my nerves. This is really happening—we’re going to introduce ourselves as a couple to our families.
“Hey, we’ve got this.” Cooper squeezes my hand. His voice is steady, so confident this is going to work out in our favor. I’m not so sure, but I nod along.
We walk through the restaurant as a united front. Mom and the boys are in Manhattan for the weekend to do some college shopping for Hayes, and Cooper’s father is home from a business trip. The timing felt fated.
The hostess directs us to a large table where familiar faces are awkwardly conversing. They all turn to look at us, and it only takes a second for me to gage everyone’s reactions.
Chandler’s sweet round face lights up like the Fourth of July, Ethan and Arden exchange smug “I knew it” expressions, Hayes rolls his eyes like an eighteen-year-old boy with better places to be, and Mom’s eyes widen with shock and maybe a little hurt, too. Conrad’s new wife is as clueless as ever, blinking rapidly and pouting her lips. And Conrad? Well, he’s the only one I can’t read.
“Hi, everyone,” I say, my voice more high-pitched than I intended. “Thanks for coming. We obviously have something to tell you.”
Cooper holds up our joined hands, brushing my knuckles against his lips for a quick kiss. “We’re dating,” he announces. No apologies or explanations and no room for negotiation.
There’s a pause, like everyone is taking a collective breath.
Arden is the first to break the silence, literally squealing and clapping her hands. “Perfect!”
Chandler jumps from his chair, knocking it over in the process. I think he’s about to jump into my arms, but he goes for Cooper. “Brother!”
Cooper chuckles but doesn’t correct him. Chandler started calling Ethan “brother” the second he found out Arden was our sibling. The way Cooper hugs my brother is incredibly endearing. Cooper knows there could come a day when Chandler will live with me and rely on my help. If Cooper wants to stay together for the long run, he knows I’m a package deal.
We find our seats, and Conrad leans across the table. “How long has this been going on?”
“Not long,” Cooper answers. “Only about a week.”
There’s a tightness in his jaw as he nods and reclines slightly, whispering something under his breath to his wife. My mother gives them both the scathing side-eye. Mom is clearly annoyed to be in his presence, especially with his young wife fawning all over him like he’s some sort of billionaire god.
“Well, congratulations,” Mom says to us. “A little sudden, but I hope it works out for you two.”
Does she mean that?
Honestly, I kind of doubt it. It’s not that Mom wishes for our demise, but we’re another couple tying her to Conrad.
“It will work out,” Cooper says, not the least bit ruffled by her comment.
My heart swells. I wish I had his confidence.
“Thought you two hated each other,” Hayes gripes. He takes a bite of bread, chewing and swallowing. “Last I heard, you’re still fighting over the company shares.”
Cooper gives Hayes a tight smile. “I don’t think we need to worry too much about that. If Top of the World does well, the shares will revert. With how well things are going on set, the show will be successful.”
Conrad steeples his hands together. “We’ve got a date set to air the first episode. September Twelfth.”
Two more months and the product of all our hard work will accumulate to one fateful evening. If the premier tanks, I’m screwed, but I feel in my bones that won’t be the case.
This thing is going to be huge.
“When do the promotions start?” Mom asks.
