Page 30 of The Sexy Part
Cooper frowns.
“That’s very nice of you to offer,” I tell Cooper.
He grunts, giving his dad side-eye. Josh shakes his head.
“Mackenzie’s place would be more fun for Rowan,” Finn says. Cooper looks insulted.
Josh puts his elbow on the table. “Arm-wrestle you for her, Cooper.”
My eyes widen.Is he serious?
“Dad! You have tennis elbow. I’m not going to arm-wrestle you.”
“That’s my other elbow,” Josh says.
Cooper lines up his arm next to his dad’s, and they start to arm-wrestle. I watch in fascination. They seem to be evenly matched. Finn and Mackenzie start cheering. Finn for Cooper; Mackenzie for Josh.
“What’s that, Rowan?” Josh asks.
Cooper turns to look at me, and Josh slams Cooper’s arm to the table.
“Ha!” Josh says.
“Sneaky,” Cooper mutters.
Josh and Hailey exchange knowing looks. I hope they don’t think something’s going on with me and Cooper. That would look especially bad to Hailey, who saw me totally in love with Dave not long ago. Foolish me.
After dessert, Mackenzie, Finn, and Cooper clear the dishes immediately. I jump up to help.
Once we’re in the kitchen, Mackenzie leans close to whisper, “Sorry my family’s so weird.”
“They’re awesome.”
Hailey pokes her head in the kitchen. “Rowan, you’re a guest. No need to do cleanup. Come on out to the living room. I’d like to talk to you.”
“Sure.”
I glance back over my shoulder. Cooper smiles like he knows what it’s about. Mackenzie shoos me out. Josh passes me on his way outside to clean the grill and gives me a smile.
I step into the living room. Does everyone in this family know what this is about except me?
Hailey gestures for me to have a seat. After I do, she says, “I know you’re getting back on your feet with your ad agency. In the meantime, I wondered if you’d like to work with me as my assistant. My longtime business partner, Ally, recently left to pursue her dream of becoming a romance novelist.”
My jaw gapes. “You want me to help you with wedding planning?” Does she not remember that I was just dumped at my wedding eight days ago? (But who’s counting?)
She nods and smiles.
“I don’t know. All those happy brides…”
“There’s a lot to the business side too. Marketing and advertising, doing the books, logistics, strategy. It’s not just gowns and flowers. This would be just to hold you over while you rebuild. We can even do part time if you like. I’m flexible.”
“Can I think about it?”
“Of course. I promise I’m a good boss.”
“I’m sure you are. I enjoyed working with you for my own wedding.”
“Now you can see under the hood for how the whole machine works. Confession: it’s mostly powered by sheer grit, which I know you have an abundance of. Just look at you, already working to put the pieces of your life back together. Some women would still be glued to the sofa, watching TV and stuffing themselves with cookies.”
