Page 6 of The Sexy Part
“Sorry!” Darla yells. “We’ll talk soon, okay?”
“Yes, sure. Go ahead. I understand.”
They take off. Didn’t Hailey tell them I was at Happy Endings? Maybe they thought I’d go back to Ludbury House to get my stuff. What a wretched day. My eyes get hot, tears threatening.
“You okay?” Cooper asks.
I burst into tears once again. Dammit. This is not me.
Cooper puts a hand on my arm. “Is it okay if…”
I don’t hear the rest of what he says over my sobs. My knees go weak. I just want to sink to the sidewalk and cry in a puddle of tulle.
“Ah!” My eyes open wide. Cooper just picked me up!
He carries me cradled in his arms. “I’m just expediting this operation. You go ahead and cry.”
I lean into his warm chest and let the tears flow freely until I have nothing left. When I open my eyes, we’re on the beautiful wraparound porch of Ludbury House. The white mansion is two and a half stories with columns in front.
He sets me down and opens the heavy wooden front door. “Unlocked.” He holds it for me. I step inside, bracing myself to see all the silk streamers and flowers from my wedding.
“It’s all cleaned up,” I say in wonder.
“It’s been a couple of hours.”
“It has?”
He winks. “Time flies when you’re hanging with a charming bartender.”
“Thank you, Cooper. I’m going to go up and change.”
“No problem. I’ll wait here for you.”
“You don’t have to do that.”
“Just want to make sure you land on your feet. Now’s not the time to go it alone.”
My throat tightens. “Thank you.”
“No thanks needed.”
I’m suddenly overwhelmed by the kindness and generosity he’s shown me. I want to hug him but hold back because we just met. Of course, I just sobbed into his shirt for the time it took to get here while he held me in his arms. “I’ll return the favor somehow.”
He shakes his head. “It’s not a transaction, Rowan. I don’t expect anything in return. In fact, I don’t want anything in return. I just want to know that you land in a safe place tonight.”
My lips part as I remember he offered his place. And then I remember how much I enjoyed touching him. My cheeks flush.No more men, ever.
I whirl, hurrying up the grand staircase.
2
Cooper
I check the time on my phone. Rowan’s been up there for a half hour now. Mom and Mackenzie can take forever getting ready, so I get taking a while, but I figured Rowan would want to be out of here ASAP.
I debate going upstairs to check on her. I’ll give her a few more minutes. Her former fiancé must be an idiot. Just spending the short amount of time I did with her today, I saw a smart, beautiful woman with grit. I know, I know, I shouldn’t notice she’s beautiful. Wrong time. But hey, I’m only human.
That doesn’t mean I’m going to get involved with her. I can help, just not get too close. My last serious girlfriend was a mess when we met. I helped her get her life back together, and as soon as I did, she moved on.
