Page 77 of The Sexy Part
“Why didn’t you tell him to leave?” Mackenzie asks.
“Because he’s a lawyer, and he had receipts that proved the value of Mom’s jewelry. That’s not the important thing. The important thing is Cooper did this behind my back. How can I trust him again? For all I know, he’ll keep doing things behind my back, in my best interests, of course, and I’ll constantly be blindsided.”
“But it worked out,” Mackenzie says.
“That’s what he said!” I exclaim. “I can’t be worrying over what else he’s going to do without telling me. It might not have worked out. I could’ve flipped out, seeing my dad there, kicked him out, represented myself while I was upset, and lost the whole case.”
Harper holds up a finger. “What if you did something behind his back in his best interests so he can see what that feels like. Then you can both agree never to do that again.”
I shake my head. “That’s ridiculous. I made plans to leave. I quit my job at Love Junkies, I already packed my stuff upstairs, and Meg’s expecting me tomorrow.”
They give me twin looks of skepticism.
“Lame excuse,” Harper says.
“Oh, please let us plan something for Cooper,” Mackenzie says. “It would be so great to see his reaction. No woman has ever done something for him.”
I frown. “No one?”
Mackenzie shakes her head. “His last serious girlfriend, Brianna, paid him back for all he did by bailing on him. She moved to the city.”
“Oh, man, he’s probably curled in the fetal position over this,” Harper says. “Shades of Brianna in your case. Today was the last financial piece you needed to leave, he made sure you got it, and now you’re out of here.”
My heart aches at the idea of Cooper in a fetal position over the double whammy of his ex and me. He’s had heartbreak too. He’s all give, give, give. I know something about that.
“Let’s give him a taste of his own medicine,” I say. “I just thought of something awesome, but it might take a few days to make it happen.”
“Ooh, I’m in!” Mackenzie says.
“Time to rescue the dude-in-distress,” Harper quips.
We crack up.
17
Cooper
After Rowan left Happy Endings, I wanted nothing more than to go home, punch something, and howl. But I had to work. No way I was going to ask Dad to come in on his day off. He’d think I wasn’t taking responsibility, and then who knows how long it would take before he made me partner?
Now it’s been a week since Rowan dumped me, and I’m back at Happy Endings for my Saturday shift. I’ve moved from howling to pissed off. It’s all crystal clear now. Women use me and leave. No more Mr. Nice Guy.
My parents appear at the bar, surprising me. “Hey, what’re you doing here?”
“Actually,” Mom says, barely able to contain her smile, “we’re here to give you the day off.”
“Don’t you have a wedding?” I ask.
“No. The Saturday before Thanksgiving isn’t a popular wedding day.”
Dad goes behind the bar with me.
Mom waves. “Going to check how things are going in the kitchen. I’m manager today!”
“Why?” I ask Dad.
He points to where Rowan just walked in. “That’s why. She called us and asked if we could take your shift because she has something planned for you.”
Right. Probably wants to ask me to help her move into Meg’s place.
