Page 61 of Emergency Exit
“Although, it’s kind of a color, isn’t it?”
Harper looked down at her vibrant orange and white cardigan with the seashell and coral design. It was one of the pieces Ash had bought her.
“It’s Versace,” she said, throwing out the name, knowing it was her safe word.
“Oh, nice,” he said, then glanced over his shoulder at Hailey in line at the counter. “Although, I guess you shouldn’t copy Hailey too much,” said Cooper, smiling. “The trad wife life is giving her some curves.”
Harper glanced at Hailey, who was dressed in a chunky cream-colored sweater. The sweater and lack of drinking only made sense with one particular explanation.
“That’s because she’s pregnant.”
“What?”
“You just called her fat.”
“No, I didn’t. I said curvy.”
“When you say that, you mean fat. She’s not fat. She’s pregnant.”
“No, she’s not,” said Cooper. “Ryan would have said. You misunderstood.”
“Oh,” said Harper. “OK.” She didn’t think she had.
“You’re having a Harper Moment,” he said. “It’s OK. Ryan will probably get a laugh out of this one.”
“He won’t like that you called her fat,” said Harper. “You probably shouldn’t mention it.”
Cooper looked torn, and for once, Harper felt she’d won the game of social interaction.
“Anyway,” said Harper, wishing Hailey and her mother would come back.
“You’re liking Seattle?” he said at the same time.
“Oh, yeah, it’s great! Shaw is a great company. They’re so flexible and welcoming. I’ve already expanded my training portfolio. And my boss is talking about developing a FEMA team with me as lead!”
“Maybe take it easy on the coffee, though,” he said, laughing.
Cooper had said it before, usually when she got excited about a topic. Ash had never once commented about her talking too fast. Probably because he did the same thing when he got excited.
“Maybe you should have more so you could listen faster,” said Harper.
“Maybe I will when I visit,” he said.
“Visit?”
“Yeah, I’m coming out to Seattle.”
“Oh,” said Harper. She couldn’t imagine why Cooper would go to Seattle. She wanted to tell him not to. Seattle was her city, and she didn’t want him ruining it for her.
“You know my company has branches out there. We should get dinner.”
“Um,” said Harper. That sounded like the worst idea ever. Why would he want that?
“I looked at Yelp. It looks like they have some decent places. I mean, not sushi or anything weird.”
“I like sushi,” said Harper.
“No, you don’t like it because it’s fish.”
