Page 4 of Kindred Lies
Yup, Cooper decided that when Amethyst left he would definitely have to kill his best friend. Who needed a best friend anyway?
A rich and throaty laugh floated through the room. Amethyst flashed him a bemused grin. “Until next time then.”
Ben couldn't have looked more ecstatic if he tried. “I'll await on bated breath for you to get a hold of me—if you desire my attention just ask Coop how to get a hold of me.”
She nodded her head and began to head towards the front door. “I'll keep that in mind. If you'll excuse me I'm dying to stroll around town now. Have a good afternoon.”
Amethyst walked out to the door and left the inn. Both Cooper and Ben stared as she exited, not able to look away until she disappeared from view.
Ben held his hand over his heart as he whistled. “That is the sexiest female I've ever seen.”
“She's mine, back off. I saw her first.” Cooper couldn't keep his frustration from his voice or the irritation from spreading across his face as he glared at Ben.
“Bring it on man. It’s the ladies choice and I intend to make sure she picks me.” His lips formed an evil smile.
Cooper started to believe murdering him would be too good for him. He wanted him to suffer in every way imaginable. They never fought over a woman before, but there's always a first time for everything. “Fine—may the best man win. We both know that's me, so if you want to recoup your losses and save face I'll understand.” He took a step back from the counter as a smug look came over his face.
“Not a chance, Coop. Game on. Make sure you give Amethyst my number. I know she'll want to get a hold of me.”
“You're that sure of yourself? I don't think so.” Ben replied, astonished at his arrogance. “I'm not your lackey. If you want Amethyst to have your number give it to her yourself.”
Ben nodded at Coop as he started to walk towards the exit. He stopped once he reached the door looking over his shoulder into Coop's eyes. “I can resist everything except temptation…that woman is pure decadence. I don't need your help to get her. She's already mine. Later Coop” Ben laughed as he left the inn.
Could things get any worse? He finally met the woman of his dreams and his best friend lusted after her. There had to be a way to make Ben give up the notion of dating her. Hell, whom was he kidding? Ben never gave up on anything once he got an idea in his head. He wasn't about to start now. Besides he was right on one account. It was the ladies choice. Cooper just had to make sure that she made the right one and picked him.
The first thing that Cooper intended to do was learn everything he could about Amethyst S. Keane. At check in she mentioned a byline for a magazine, which indicated she wrote some sort of articles for a living. He hoped it would give him a lot of insight into her likes and dislikes. More importantly it might tell him why she chose his inn to take a vacation at. It didn't take him long to locate her online. He found several articles written by her in ASK Magazine... It was mostly pop culture, but there was a travel section in each one depicting a town or country Amethyst visited. Each article she wrote about the history of the town and something she’d found intriguing or alluring about it. He hadn’t found the reason she was in North Point and staying at Trenton-Hill Inn, but he did know of something intriguing that might lure her toward him...
If he was right about Amethyst, then Cooper had all the tools he needed to gain her attention. A good ghost romance would lead her down a direct path. One Cooper knew led straight back to him. Easton Hill died in his inn and the rumors said he still haunted its halls.
