Page 50 of The Sexy Part
“Good for her.”
“She fears he’s too boring.”
“Well, I’m sure she’ll find out soon enough.” He leans across the bar, his eyes warm, his voice smooth as silk. “I’m glad you’re reevaluating your life. Gives me a chance to get to know you better.”
“Cooper!” a feminine voice exclaims. I turn to see a stunning woman with sleek black hair approach. She looks like she just stepped off the runway.
“Hey, Vickie,” he says warmly. “You’re back. How was Milan?”
She leans across the bar and air-kisses him on both cheeks. “Fantastic. I owe my life to you.”
“Not at all. You had a dream. Mom needed a model.”
“How is your mom? I just love her to pieces.”
“Doing well. Actually, Rowan here is working with her over at Love Junkies.”
Vickie smiles at me. “Don’t you just love all the stunning wedding gowns going through that place?”
“Mmm-hmm,” I say noncommittally.
“Sparkling water?” he asks her.
“You know me so well. Actually, I can’t stay. I’m meeting some friends in the city for dinner, but this was my first stop after the airport. I was at that little one for private planes. A group jet share. I’m not that big a name. Yet.”
I stare at her. No one looks that good stepping off a long international flight. Who is she kidding?
“I’m flattered I was your first stop,” Cooper says.
She turns to me. “What’s Cooper helping you out with? The man is a miracle worker. Just bring him a problem and he helps you in a way you never dreamed possible.”
I’m not rehashing my life with a stranger, especially a glamorous woman living the high life.
“We’re friends,” I say. “I’m new in town.”
Her brows scrunch in confusion. “Friends? Cooper doesn’t do women friends.” She laughs. “Maybe he does do them.”
“Get outta here,” Cooper says. “No sparkling water for you.”
She wiggles her fingers at him. “Ciao.”
He smiles. “Ciao.”
She leaves, and he watches her go, still smiling. My gut churns. I toss back my wine and throw a bunch of dollar bills on the bar top. I have no idea how much that wine cost, but hopefully that covers it.
He glances at the pile of money. “I told you it’s on the house.”
“I’m not your charity case. I can see that’s what you’re running here with all these women.”
“What women?”
“Puh-lease. Two women appeared in the last fifteen minutes falling all over themselves for whatever you did for them. I appreciate your kindness, but I don’t want to be one of a long line of women you rescue or whatever.”
“Are you done?”
I press my lips in a flat line. “Yes.”
“I didn’t rescue anyone. I just lend an ear and make a connection for people if I have one. I’m second generation here with a large extended family, all local. With all the businesses of friends and family, I’m in a position to be helpful. I’m better than the internet because I can vouch for them.”
