Page 26 of Collateral Damage
We need to talk asap. Where can we meet and when?
Cooper finally texts a week after he left me in that boardroom with his cryptic whisper in my ear. This last week has been a shit-show, but the ownership shares have been exchanged. It’s done. Leave it to him to get his five percent stake before bothering to contact me.
The board is outraged, several members upset about a contract they knew nothing about. I’m surprised Lance Vale is holding it together so well. It’s a clear indication he’s gunning for the official CEO position, and I think he’ll get it in the near future. Hayes is earmarked for the role down the road, but it’s going to be a long time before my little brother will be ready.
My goals haven’t changed. Soon, I’ll become president of the Laurence Foundation. Despite my age, I’ve proven myself capable of the role, and it’s what my father wanted for me. His legacy still matters.
Through all this, it’s been him I can’t stop thinking about. Dad is constantly on my mind.
Staring at my phone, reading over Cooper’s text again and again, I debate what to type back. Part of me never wants to see Cooper again, but I know that’s not realistic.
Frustration swirls in my stomach. I have to see him face to face, even if reason says I should turn this conversation into a phone call. I can’t bring myself to do that.
I open the thread to reply, thumb hesitating over the screen. The old me would’ve told Cooper to come over, but he’s never been to my new apartment, and there’s no way I’m letting him into my safe space.
We’re not friends anymore.
Meet for drinks in an hour?I reply.
His response is instant.Yes. Where?
I send him the location of a nearby hotel lobby bar, hoping for a discreet and neutral public place.
An hour later, I’ve put myself together, brushing out my hair and slipping on my favorite jeans and a simple black sweater with matching boots. I look stylish, casual, professional, confident, and not like I’m trying too hard.Perfect.Forget the fact that on the inside, I’m a nervous wreck.
When I arrive, Cooper is at the bar, talking with Perry Hargrove. I smile immediately. Perry has been able to keep all his friendships alive after the split between the Laurences and the Kings, which is saying something, considering most everyone else chose sides. But that’s Perry, always keeping it real and doing his own thing despite what everyone else says.
“Hi guys,” I say, sliding onto the barstool beside Cooper. “What’s going on?”
The men turn on me, Perry with that dazzling smile on his broad lips and Cooper with a wicked glint in his eyes.Oh boy, they’re up to something.
“Sorry I had to crash your… uh… meeting,” Perry says. “There’s something I wanted to talk to you both about.”
Cooper waves him off. “Let’s order the lady a drink first.” He motions the bartender over. “Do you still prefer cosmopolitans?”
I do, but I’m not about to let him think he knows my drink order.
“I’ll have your house Pinot Grigio, please,” I tell the bartender.
“I’ll have a whiskey sour,” Perry says, and Cooper opts for a Coke.
The bartender gets us our drinks, and I eye Cooper. I’ve never known him to go alcohol free at a bar.
“You’re not drinking?” I ask.
“Not tonight.”
There’s something more, his tone guarded. Maybe he took what I said to him at New Year to heart, and he’s laying off the alcohol. He was drinking too much—a problem he’s had since college. If he’s sober now, I’d be surprised. More likely he’s realized his limits, and he’s not drinking before business meetings.
I raise a brow. “That’s not like you.”
His eyes snap to my face, his mouth hardening. “I’ve changed a lot over the last year.”
My stupid eyes flit to his pant leg and back up again, shame immediately burning across my cheeks when he catches me. I shouldn’t be looking for his prosthetic. I don’t know how to act about it, what to say or do.
“Alright, let’s talk business.” Cooper shifts the subject, leaning so I can get a better view of Perry on his other side.
Perry is a dazzlingly handsome African American man. He’s got beautiful dark skin and onyx bedroom eyes and the kind of open smile that’s framed by deep dimples, drawing people in.
