“Don’t be sad. This beautiful child is an angel now.”
“It sounds like what he wrote in the email to me.” How could he think Lacy’s parents shouldn’t be sad?
“Although it’s close,” Cooper said, “the words aren’t exact to what he wrote to you. There’s not enough there to positively say they’re both the same man.”
“But you think it is?”
Cooper nodded. “I do.”
“Anything else we want to talk about today?” Grayson asked.
Cooper raised his hand.
“Are we in grade school now?” Grayson grinned as he winked at her. “The boy’s adorable, yeah?”
She thought so.
“You just wish you had my charm, brother,” Cooper said.
The guys had a great relationship, and she was a little envious. From the day Livie was born, she’d cocooned them in a bubble meant to keep them safe. Her fears had kept her from having the kind of bonds these three men had. As she sat here, listening to Cooper and Grayson razz each other, she wished she could have a do-over for the past five years.
Sure, she had friends, mostly other teachers, but those relationships were superficial. She sat with them at lunch, talked with them a little before school or after, but she never opened up to them. Never shared her dreams and fears with them, never did fun things with them.
The only person in her life who truly knew her was her father. He was a great father and grandfather, but he had his own life. They did try to have dinner together once a week.
When this was over and she had her life back, she was going to make changes. She was going to work on her relationships with the people in her life, start accepting the invitations to do things with those superficial friends. She was going to ease up on Livie, stop controlling her every minute out of fear. Well, that one was going to be hard, but Livie was already pushing at the limits Kendall tried to put on her. She needed to find a compromise that they both could live with.
“Where’s Liam?” Cooper said.
“At the doctor’s with Quinn.”
“Everything okay?”
Grayson nodded. “It’s a routine checkup.”
“Okay, good.” Cooper touched her hand. “Ready to go?”
“Sure.” She stood. “Thanks, Grayson, for taking the time to deal with my situation and for hosting tonight’s pajama party.”
“No thanks necessary, and Tyler’s thrilled to have Livie and Ruby spend the night.” He waved her away. “Go enjoy your evening.”
Cooper’s gaze flicked to Grayson, and they both smiled as if they knew something she didn’t. What was that about?
“How’s a nice bubble bath sound?” Cooper asked as soon as they were back at his apartment.
“I’d never refuse a bubble bath, but now?”
“Why not? Take a little time for yourself. I have a few things I need to do for about an hour. When you get out, put on something soft and comfortable.”
She stared at his retreating back as he headed toward the kitchen. He was up to something, but it had been a long time since she’d indulged in a bath, so she did as he suggested. When the water cooled, she stepped out. It had actually been a pleasant hour. She had a soft jazz playlist on her phone, and she’d almost fallen asleep while luxuriating in the warm scented water and listening to the music.
Now, she was more relaxed than she’d been in… She couldn’t remember when. Before Livie was born, she knew that much. After drying off, she slipped into the pale blue jersey sundress she’d brought. The back was open, so the only thing she wore under it was panties. A few swipes of mascara on her lashes, a bit of blush on her cheeks and cherry-flavored lip gloss, and she was ready to go find Cooper. She found him in the kitchen.
He pulled a barstool away from the counter. “Sit here.”
Bluesy music played softly from the speakers, and at least a dozen candles were spread out on the counters. In front of where he wanted her to sit was a glass of wine and a plate of assorted cheeses, fancy crackers and grapes. She stilled and her heartfluttered madly at seeing the warmth in his eyes and the soft smile on his face.
He performed a perfect bow. “Your adult evening awaits you, my lady.”