Page 59 of Enough
“Pretty much.” She sighs.
“Well, how did he end up being the one to text me back?”
“Oh yeah, that’s right.” She laughs to herself as if it’s a funny story. I wait patiently.
“I had my phone sitting on the table and he kept staring at it. Cooper cut off a piece of steak and glanced up at me through the tops of his eyes as he pointed to it. He asked, ‘You waiting on a call?’ It made me laugh. He seemed concerned, so I told him I was hoping a hot guy would text me. He said I had a hot guy right in front of me. I rolled my eyes and he laughed. When you texted, I acted surprised and told Cooper a guy from work had sexted me a dick pic. Cooper seemed pissed. He grabbed my phone to look and saw it was a text from you. He shook his head at me and insisted he text you back. He was cute. He seemed relieved it was only you.”
“I bet he was…” I can’t help the playfulness in my tone. I can tell she likes him, even if she won’t admit it to me, much less herself.
“I was surprised by how easy it was to be around him. I thought I’d be nervous, but there’s something about him that’s so straightforward and uncomplicated. He just seems real. He made me feel like I could be myself.”
I lean my back on the kitchen counter and cross my legs at my ankles. “He sounds like he hasn’t changed much at all.”
“Well, he seems that way, but you and I both know people aren’t always what they appear to be. I told him I was reserving judgment on him because I didn’t trust him.”
“You said that?” My legs uncross and I touch my hand to my cheek.
“Yeah. He was fine with it. He said he understood. Anyway, after dinner we had coffee and talked about pretty much everything. He’s really funny. He had some great stories about pulling people over. He said he was glad I sped through his area on the night he was on call and he always thought I was sweet when he talked to me back in school. You texted me atthe perfect time.”
“I did? What do you mean?”
“Things took on a serious tone and I didn’t know what to say. Once I got the text, I was able to play the sexting card. He begged to text you. I figured you wouldn’t mind, so I let him.”
“Yeah, it took me by surprise, but he was really sweet.”
“He is sweet in some ways, but cocky too. There’s something hardened about him that I can’t put my finger on. I don’t know if it’s age, time, or his military experience, but his eyes tell me he’s seen some stuff he wants to forget.”
I sigh. “Poor Cooper.”
“All night long I was calling him Coop the cop and Cooper the copper. He just laughed it off. He was a good sport. You know how I like to tease people.”
I chuckle to myself as I take a drink of my too-strong coffee.Ick.I cringe and pour it into the sink. “How did the night end?” I ask.
“He walked me to my car and hugged me. It was nice.”
“That’s it? Did he ask to see you again?”
“He might have mentioned it.”
“He did? That’s great! Right?” I wasn’t sure why her voice seemed so indifferent.
“It’s fine. I told him I was really busy with work, so…”
“You what?” I immediately frown.
“I’m just not interested in dating right now.”
My head falls back and I close my eyes. I’m so disappointed.
“He told me he doesn’t discourage very easily. It seemed like he liked the idea of a challenge,” she says with a laugh.
My hopes are restored and I can’t help but smile. “Good for him!”
“Where are you?” she asks hesitantly.
“I’m walking up the stairs to change out of my clothes. Why?”
“I’m going to tell you something, but you have to swear to me you won’t get mad before I tell you.”
