Page 54 of The Sexy Part
I should stop looking at him so much.
After the show ends, we stand. He takes my hand and leads the way through the crowd. It feels so natural to hold hands with him. Is that weird?
Once we’re clear of the crowd, I point toward the elevators. “We need to get to the first floor for the Human Origins exhibit.”
We get in line at the elevator and cram in with everyone else. I’m shoulder to shoulder with Cooper, our arms pressed against each other.
“Good thing I’m not claustrophobic,” Cooper says.
I laugh and so do several other people.
We step out and cross through the main gallery.
“Rowan!” a familiar male voice calls.
I freeze and instinctively take Cooper’s hand. He sends me a questioning look.
“It’s Dave,” I whisper.
Dave jogs up to us. “Are you with him now?”
“How did you know I was here?”
“I saw your post. So this guy makes you see stars?”
Cooper’s arm drapes across my shoulders. “That’s right. Your loss is my gain.”
“Excuse us, we have a lot to talk about,” Dave says.
“Whatever you have to say, you can say in front of Cooper,” I say.
Dave glares at Cooper, who stands his ground.
Dave lowers his voice. “I miss you. Sheila won’t take care of me the way you do. I miss the way you always made sure I had a hot meal, did the laundry, and kept the place nice. It felt like home.”
“Hire a cleaning service,” I say. “I’m tired of taking care of people. I want to be with someone who’s a true partner. Someone who stands on his own two feet.”
His face falls. “You did it because you loved me. I’m not sure Sheila loves me. I think she used me to get the llama farm.”
I take a deep breath. I almost feel bad for him. Almost. “I’ve moved on.”
Cooper kisses my temple like we’re a couple. I flush with heat. I did want a revenge picture for Dave. I just hadn’t thought an innocent planetarium photo would bring him out of the woodwork.
Dave’s voice turns pleading. “I know I did a shitty thing bringing our clients to my cousin’s firm. You can work there too. No one does the social media thing like you, and all that digital strategy and marketing stuff too. That was all you.”
I sigh. “Go home, Dave.”
“But—”
“You heard her,” Cooper growls. “Get out of here before I drag you out by the collar.”
Dave pulls at his collar, sends me a last pleading look, and leaves.
We start walking again.
“So that’s the guy who blew up your life,” Cooper says. “What did you see in him?”
“He used to be charming and super supportive. Probably because I took care of his life, both personal and professional. Honestly, he changed after nearly drowning in a kayaking accident a month before our wedding. I guess facing death made him reevaluate his life.”
