Page 56 of Enough
Gwen smiles again. It’s nice to see her face light up. “After I explained I worked at the hospital and had a bad night, he told me he couldn’t possibly make my day worse by giving me a ticket. Then he said that we should meet up sometime for a drink or dinner. I gave him my number and then I left.”
“That’s awesome, but is that it?” I frown.
“Yes, why?” She holds back a smile by biting her lip.
She thinks she knows what I’m thinking, so I shrug andglance down at my nails. “I don’t know. Just wondering.”
Gwen smiles at me knowingly. “Oh wait, I forgot. I also asked him if he and Nick were still best friends.”
I feel my insides threaten to explode and my face blushes. Gwen covers her mouth at my reaction. She knows me too well. “You bitch! You knew it was killing me to know!”
Gwen lets out a belly laugh and falls back onto the couch briefly before sitting back up to finish. “He said, ‘Yeah, Nick and I talk all the time.’ Then I said, ‘Well, Everly is going to bust something when I tell her.’”
My eyes are bulging. They’ve extended out as far as they can go. I imagine myself looking like a cartoon character and hear anAhoogain my head.
“So he said, ‘Really? Well, I’ll have to tell him that. He never got over her, you know.”
“Wha…?” I stop breathing.
“You heard me. He said Nicknevergot over you.” She smiles, and I know she’s watching for my reaction.
The blood drains from my face. I cross my arms as the words pour through my mind like chocolate covering vanilla ice cream. I suddenly want ice cream. My mouth twists as I realize it’s not true. It couldn’t be. “Yeah right. I’m sure Cooper was just being nice.”
“Why would he tell me that? He had nothing to gain. Don’t start doubting yourself. You’ve always been beautiful, Ev. I’m not the least bit surprised Nick feels that way.”
“I’m sure he tells his wife that too.”
Gwen gasps. “Nick’s married?”
“I’m sure he is. It’s been almost fifteen years since I’ve spoken to him. He probably has a hot wife and a few gorgeous kids by now.”
“I didn’t see a ring on Cooper’s hand. Maybe Nick’s single too.”
“Whatever,” I respond. “That ship sailed years ago. I’m not going to revisit the past and get my hopes up. I need to move forward, not back.”
Gwen eyes me suspiciously before her phone pings, indicating a text. She reads it out loud. “Hey, Gwen, it’s Cooper. I was thinking since I let you out of a ticket, you should thank me by letting me take you to dinner. Are you free sometime this week?” Gwen stares at me in shock. “Holy mother fucking shit!” she shouts. “What do I say?”
“Do you want to go?” I ask.
She shrugs and suddenly seems less excited. “Umm… yeah, why not. It’s not like I have anything else to do, right? Assuming I’m not working or something.”
I shrug in response. “Right.”
She stares at her phone in her hands then places a finger on her lips. I can tell she’s thinking. I see her start to type, so I lean forward to watch what she’s writing.
Gwen:Sure, I can meet you somewhere. When?
Cooper:Or I can pick you up. How about Tuesday?
Gwen:I work until eleven Tuesday. How about Wednesday? Or are you working?
Cooper:No, I’m on days. I was working some OT tonight. Wednesday is good. How about McNally’s? Around eight?
Gwen:Sounds good. And I’ll meet you there.
Cooper:Fine, but don’t speed. I’m patient. I can wait.
She laughs and places her phone on the arm of the couch. She sits back, firmly planting her back against the cushion. “Well, this should be interesting.”
