How was I going to work with him so closely when we couldn't be in the same room together without fighting? He was always criticizing me, and it was only going to get worse. But I'd promised Eve that I'd work with him. This was such a mess.
We spent the rest of the afternoon going over her job duties and what she expected me to handle. The entire time, I nodded and smiled at the right times, but I couldn't wait until I had a chance to confront Cooper.
It wasn't okay for him to bad-mouth me to Eve. I wasn't his younger sister. He needed to treat me like a professional.
I had Cooper's phone number. Not that I ever used it. My brothers said I could rely on him like I would a brother. He had been at every family event and most dinners growing up. He was everywhere, and it was only going to get worse.
When work ended for the day, I cleaned my desk and pulled on a jacket. On the sidewalk in front of town hall, I pulled out my phone and found his contact information. I hesitated only for a second, then typed out a message.
Aspen: We need to talk.
Cooper: About?
Aspen: You told Eve I couldn't be professional.
Cooper: I'm worried about our ability to work together. Aren't you?
It was easy for him to say. He already had a plum role as the supervisor of a contracting company. His position combined with his relationship with my brothers were solid.
Aspen: Meet me at the bar across from the bakery.
Cooper: Now?
Aspen: Yes.
I knew he was irritated that I'd interrupted his workday, or whatever he was doing, so that we could hash this out. But I couldn't wait a minute longer. I had to know why he'd tried to sabotage me.
I headed toward the bar, growing more irritated with each step. How dare he talk badly about me? He didn't know me, and over the years, he'd treated me like an annoying little sister.
He was just like the rest of my family, believing I was impulsive and irresponsible. I tried to ignore those comments, but it set me off that he'd insinuated I couldn't do my job.
I was done with being talked down to. I was tired of feeling less than because I didn't take the path that everyone else did. Who said you had to finish college and find a boring office job?
I reached the heavy wooden doors at the same time as Cooper and drew up.
He opened the door with a flourish of his hand and a mocking bow. "After you."
I wanted to argue, but I was going to be mature and pick my battles. This isn't one I was going to win anyway. He had good manners.
I swept past him and into the dark interior. It was still early, so there were only a few people sitting at the bar.
He came to stand next to me. "Where do you want to sit?"
Without responding, I started for the table in a dark corner, not wanting anyone overhearing our conversation.
Somehow, he beat me to the table and pulled out my chair.
I sat as he pushed in my chair. Then I waited for him to take the seat across from me.
He inclined his head toward the bar. "You want me to grab something from the bar?"
"I don't want a drink." My stomach was churning, and I wanted to get this over with. I'd never been alone with him like this, and it was unsettling to have his focus on me.
He raised a brow, his demeanor deceptively calm. "What did you want to talk about?"
I sniffed. "I met with Eve. She asked me to work with you."
He nodded. "She talked to me about it already."