Page 46 of Until Tomorrow Comes
My head snaps in Mrs. Maria’s direction, only she’s staring across the bar with a smirk. Following her gaze, my jaw clenches. I’d been so enthralled by watching Kat the entire night that, while I took note of the small growing crowd, I didn’tnoticewho else saw her the way I did.
Across the dance floor, leaning at one of the high-top tables just off the dance floor, is the owner of the bar. I know Cooper, we’d been in the same graduating class. We weren’t friends, but we also didn’t hate each other, we simply ran in different circles. If I remember correctly, he and Thea used to be really close.
However, the uneasiness that courses through my body while I watch him stare at Kat in admiration, makes me rethink not hating him.
The song changes to a throwback nineties song, making all the women in the bar squeal and dance with more energy.
“No one in town has managed to catch his attention yet,” Maria says with a laugh. “Hell, I even tried setting him up with my granddaughter! Apparently, all he needed was someonenewto town.”
If I were to clench my jaw any tighter, my teeth would likely chip.
“Gran, you did not,” the woman from the other side of Maria groans.
I don’t hear what she says in response, I’m too busy watching his every move. Thea and Kat have stepped off to the side, resting against a free table just off the dance floor, while watching Addison and Stella dance.
“How’s your Ma doing, Jack?” Maria asks, distracting me and changing the subject. Not wanting to be rude, I indulge in answering her question.
“She’s fine,” I clip.
“I forgot to ask her when I saw her last week, how’s the baby—” Maria starts, but trails off, no doubt realizing her slip up. Usually, any mention of the baby upsets me, however, I’m surprised when the same anger and hatred I normally have doesn’t course through me. My eyes gravitate back to Kat on instinct and my entire body tenses.
It takes everything I have to stay in place when I notice Cooper leaving his spot and heading toward them. But when he steps up behind Kat and leans in close to whisper in her ear, he startles her making her jump. Her hand slams into her chest as she leans away from him and turns to look over her shoulder. When she spots me across the bar, her eyes wide and filled with clear panic, I move instinctually, closing the distance between us and not stopping until I’m standing next to her at the small table.
“Well I’ll be damned,” Cooper draws out with a whistle. He smirks, extending a hand toward me. “Good to see you, Jack.”
I stare at his hand, before reluctantly placing mine in his for a stiff shake. If he notices, he doesn’t say anything about it. Pulling my hand back, I face Kat. Her shoulders relax, but her chest still heaves as she breathes heavily. I nod subtly, silently reminding her that I’m here, but not wanting to make her uncomfortable.
“Sorry for spooking ya,” Cooper says to Kat.
“I’m easily startled, don’t worry about it,” she smiles at him, waving her hand. Her dismissiveness, makes me clench my fists, even though logically, I understand that he had no way of knowing she was easily scared. But the need to keep her feeling safe has me ready to snap.
“Good to see ya, Coop,” Thea says, and her small tone has me glancing sidelong at her. She has never been one to play shy or coy, so watching her fidget with her necklace while biting her lip has my brows furrowing.
As casually as I can manage while keeping close to Kat, I watch the two interact.
“Kat, this is Cooper Sullivan,” Thea focuses back on him. Kat smiles, awkwardly raising a hand and taking a small step closer to me. I fight back a smile while he nods and moves to stand between me and Thea.
“Nice to meet ya,” he glances between the three of us. “You new to town or just passing through?”
Kat’s eyes dart to me quickly, before focusing back on Cooper.
“Uhm, just passing through,” she answers hesitantly and her cheeks turn slightly pink. “Do you live here?”
Uneasiness settles in my stomach at her response, but Cooper’s smile broadens, and he leans forward, bracing his elbows on the table.
“I do live here, upstairs actually.”
“You live above the bar?” Surprise coats Thea’s voice and her brows raise to her hairline.
“Makes it easier to manage a bar if you live above it.” Cooper shrugs, still smiling.
Does the man ever frown?
Thea’s eyes practically pop out of her head while she looks around.
“You… ownthisbar?” She exclaims.
“A lot has changed since we last saw each other, Tee,” If I didn’t know any better, I’d say Cooper sounded remorseful. “I didn’t know you were back.”
