Page 11 of The Sexy Part
“You’ll find where you belong,” I assure her.
She’s quiet on the walk back to Happy Endings, and I give her some space. I’m sure it’s not easy to deal with a breakup and a work disaster at the same time. Not to mention she lives with the guy. Her whole life just imploded.
“My car’s parked around back,” I say when we get to Happy Endings. “I can take you to my parents’ place for the night. They have a spare room.”
She worries her bottom lip. “Nothing against your mom, but she was my wedding planner, and it’s too soon for the reminder of all things wedding.”
Just then Mackenzie and Harper come out of Happy Endings. My sister and cousin can help. I introduce them to Rowan.
Mackenzie glances at me and turns to Rowan. “Cooper’s famous for rescuing women. How’s he doing?”
Rowan’s lips part in surprise. “Uh…good.”
“I do not rescue women,” I say defensively. “I just help out sometimes.”
“They’re usually beautiful too,” Harper says.
Now I sound like an asshole who preys on beautiful women. “Well, Harp, it seems the beautiful ones often get the short end of the stick. Like Rowan here.”
Rowan’s hand goes to the side of her neck, her cheeks turning pink.
“Anyone could see you’re beautiful,” I tell her like it’s an objective fact instead of an attraction growing by the minute. I turn to Mackenzie and Harper. “She needs a place to stay tonight. Would it be okay if she went to your place?”
“Oh, no, I couldn’t,” Rowan says. “I’ll get a hotel.”
“She lives with her ex-fiancé,” I explain.
“Say no more,” Harper says. “You’re in.”
“For sure,” Mackenzie says. “We have a four-bedroom house, and it’s just the two of us. Two of our roommates moved out.”
Rowan looks from Mackenzie to Harper. “Are you sure? I mean, we just met.”
“You met them earlier at the bar too,” I say. “Sounds like a solid friendship.”
“Sisters before misters is my philosophy,” Mackenzie says. “You’re a sister in need.”
“And you don’t look like an ax murderer,” Harper says.
Rowan laughs a little. “I’m not.”
“Are you allergic to cats?” Mackenzie asks.
Rowan shakes her head. “Dave is. I don’t know why I just mentioned my ex. Who cares!”
“Then it’s settled,” Mackenzie says. “We live just around the corner. We can walk there.”
I follow along. “Their cat is named Felix, and he only likes Mackenzie.”
Rowan stops me with a hand on my arm, goes on tiptoe, and kisses my cheek. Warmth rushes through me. “Thank you, Cooper. I’ve got it from here.” She takes her suitcase from me.
“Sure. You’re in good hands.”
I watch her go, a strange sense of longing coming over me. I did my part. Time to let go.
She turns and looks over her shoulder at me. Our gazes lock. There’s something there between us. A pull. No, I’m done with wrecked women who use me and leave. Learned my lesson with Brianna.
She waves, and I wave back.
