Cooper furrowed his dark eyebrows. “Okay. Sure. Come on, Wyatt, let’s claim a table before someone beats us to it.”
Cooper and Wyatt ambled off, and Lexie smiled when she noticed the happy spring to Cooper’s step. Yeah, she’d definitely done the right thing tonight. Screw her family and whatever narrow-minded opinions they’d have about Cooper. The man made her happy, blissfully happy, and she’d be damned if she’d let anyone tell her otherwise.
From his seat, Jake was also watching Cooper walk away. “You made his night,” he remarked, tracing the rim of an empty shot glass with the tip of his finger.
“He’s important to me,” she replied softly.
There was a beat of silence, broken by Jake’s heavy sigh. “So what do you want, Lexie? To lecture me for being an ass at dinner?”
“Naah. I imagine Bree lectured you enough for the both of us.” She planted a hand on her hip. “I wanted to give you some advice.”
He arched a brow. “I don’t recall asking for any.”
“Tough. You’re getting it anyway.” She hesitated. “You need to make things right with Bree.”
Jake averted his gaze.
“I’m serious. That woman did a brave thing tonight.”
That got his attention. With a pained look, he met her eyes. “What do you mean?”
“Do you know how much guts it took for her to invite you to dinner?” Shame trickled down Lexie’s throat and settled in her chest. “God knows I didn’t have any. I could have asked Cooper to come tonight, but I didn’t. I was too scared because I knew my parents would act the same way Bree’s did.”
When Jake didn’t respond, she let out a frustrated breath. “Bree cared enough about you to bring you home, even knowing how much Tanner and Barbara would disapprove. It made me realize what a coward I’ve been. Cooper and I are good together, we complement each other, and I care about him so damn much. So what does it matter what anyone else thinks about that? It’s what we think of each other, and ourselves, that matters.”
Jake’s voice took on a note of sorrow. “Bree doesn’t think much of me right now.”
“Because you lashed out like a child and humiliated not only her, but her father. And knowing you Bishops, you’re just going to retreat even further and shut her out rather than admit you were wrong. My advice—don’t let Bree get away, Jake. I don’t know her well, but that woman must care something fierce for you if she brought you home to face the Snob Squad.”
More silence ensued, lasting long enough that Lexie decided to quit while she was ahead. “Think about what I said,” she said firmly. Her gaze landed on the shot glasses cluttering the tabletop. “And try not to get too wasted tonight. Or in the very least, leave your truck here and catch a ride home with someone.”
She started to walk away, but Jake’s voice stopped her.
“Lexie,” he said gruffly.
She half turned. “Yeah?”
“You’re kind of okay, you know that?”
She rolled her eyes. “I guess I’ll take kind of okay over ice princess. But this doesn’t make us friends.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it,” he said solemnly.
Fighting a smile, she left Jake at the table and crossed the busy room toward the half dozen pool tables spanning the far wall. Wyatt, who was racking up the balls, shot her a knowing grin as she made a beeline for Cooper.
“Sorry about that,” she said as she approached. “I needed to talk some sense into Bishop.”
When she took his hand, his expression flickered with surprise, but then he laced his fingers through hers and leaned in to brush his lips over her cheek. “I’m glad you’re here, Lex.”
She grasped his chin and angled his head so that their lips met. “Me too.”
Wyatt interrupted with a soft chuckle. “You’re full of surprises, aren’t you, Coop?” He laughed when he noticed their intertwined fingers. “Seriously. I never would’ve guessed your mystery lady would be Lexie Price.”
Both Cooper and Lexie stiffened. “Got a problem with that?” Cooper demanded.
Wyatt took on a thoughtful pose, then shrugged. “Nope. Actually, you two make a surprisingly cute couple.”
Lexie couldn’t help but feel touched. “Thanks, Wyatt.”
“Now the question is—how good are you at pool?” Cooper’s best friend teased as he handed her a cue. “Because mayor’s daughter or not, I won’t go easy on you. I play to win, Price.”
“So do I,” she said with the haughty raise of her eyebrows.
Wyatt raised his eyebrows right back. “Bring it, princess.”
Laughing, she rounded the table, then paused mid-step as she realized she’d forgotten to do something. Leaning the cue against the wall, she marched back to Cooper, brushed another kiss over his sexy mouth and murmured, “By the way, I love you too.”
Chapter Eleven
Three weeks later…