“Fuck fate,” Raven growled. “If you like this guy, you make him pay attention to you. See if he’s the guy you think. If he is and he wants you, fuck fate and fuck Larry and his stupid rules. You make things happen because no one’s going to give you shit in life.”
“Are you okay?” I asked softly.
“Yes, I’m fine,” Raven said, sighing loudly. “I just don’t want you wasting your life because you think you have to follow some man’s rules. Make the most of what you have, Lark. You deserve to have this guy if he makes you happy. If he doesn’t, find someone else. Or don’t, but never let anything stand in your way. Just shove the bullshit out of your way and make things happen. You deserve that.”
“I miss you.”
Raven sighed again. “I miss you too. Your birthday’s coming up and I’ll send you something.”
“Maybe you could visit.”
Raven said nothing and that was an answer in itself.
“So are you with Dexter?”
“No.”
Her tone made clear she wasn’t talking about the matter.
“Do you have a job?”
“Yes and I’m going to be late. I’ll call you soon.”
“Okay. I love you.”
“Love you too. Be brave, Lark. Never let anyone take your dreams from you, okay?”
“Okay.”
“Bye,” she said, hanging up before I responded.
Sitting on my bed, I thought about Raven’s behavior since leaving. It made sense in a lot of ways. I was part of her old life and she didn’t like her old life. Once, she was my best friend. Now, she was a stranger.
Besides my breaking heart, I did hold onto her words about Aaron. Maybe once we hung out, whatever I felt would fade or disappear. Anything was possible, but I would never know if I didn’t make a move.
Fuck fate. I was taking what I wanted and I knew exactly where to find him.
Chapter Four - Aaron
Cooper had been my best friend since middle school. Even knowing him since first grade, my tolerance level didn’t allow a friendship. He was loud and rude and I thought he sucked. On the second day of seventh grade, I saw a disabled kid getting hassled by the school dipshits and stepped in. They weren’t impressed. After I threw a few punches, they were more impressed. However, I was on my way to getting an ass-kicking. Playing hero, Cooper arrived and made such a mess that the rich boy was suspended for a week. When he returned to school, I thanked him. Not in an overly friendly way because I still thought he was jerk. Cooper looked at me then glared at one of the guys down the hall.
“Who picks on a disabled kid like that? Sick fucks.”
Seeing him all protective of a kid he didn’t know made me like him more. Seeing me take a partial beating for the kid made him respect me more. By the next week, we were friends. Unlike girls, we didn’t make a deal of it. Instead, we just started hanging out and we were hanging even now.
Cooper didn’t need to do anything in our shared business. I handled the clients, billing, and everything financial. In the past, he’d show up to chat with my pretty apprentice Jade. Now, Jade was a full fledged artist and in a relationship while Cooper was married. No more flirting, but he still dropped by, acted like he gave a shit about taxes and bills, then took me to lunch at the nearby sandwich shop.
“What’s up your butt, man?” he asked after his first sandwich.
“Nothing. I’m just tired.”
“You seem sad. Do you need a hug?” When I flipped him off, Cooper’s grin widened. “You’re hot for a girl. Hmm…let me guess which one.” Cooper tapped at his forehead. “Does it rhyme with Noah’s boat?”
Frowning, I leaned back and ignored him. Cooper refused to be ignored and continued, “At the wedding, you gave yourself away. I doubt anyone else noticed, but they don’t know you like I do.”
“Gave myself away how? I didn’t even talk to her.”
“No, but whenever she came in your vicinity, you got really quiet like a predator on the hunt. Besides, you brought that hot redhead. As much as I know how you love redheads, you acted like you were on a date with your sister or something. No heat. The only way you don’t get hard for a redhead is if a girl’s got your heart wrapped up.”
Frowning, I didn’t want to admit he was right. Cooper was too fucking arrogant as it was.
“She’s a cute chick,” Cooper said when I remained silent. “Sweet too. A girl like that will swoon for you like Tawny never would. The way a bitch like Kristen never would either.”
“I don’t even know her.”
“But you want to.”
“She’s beautiful, but that’s the end of it.”
“A lot of girls are beautiful, but Farah is beautiful in a different way,” he said, getting that dreamy look when talking about his girl. “She made me see her and not want to look at any other chick. Farah didn’t have to try either. That’s the thing about you and Lark. You two were breathing in rhythm at the reception dinner and never even said more than hello. Maybe you did at the wedding too, but I was sort of busy staring at my hot wife.”