“Because I don’t know what to say to make this better.”
She scoots across the sofa and rests her hand on my knee. “You don’t have to make this better. I . . .” She shakes her head and exhales while looking between us. When her eyes lift to mine again, she says, “I’m the one who’s sorry. I’m standing here on higher moral ground that I have no right to be on. I think I’m just shocked . . .” Her eyes begin to plead with mine, matching her tone. “I’m shocked people live in such luxury, but . . .” She looks around. “I understand the appeal. I’ve felt like a princess here. You’ve spoiled me, Cooper. If you don’t dump me for being so rude, I promise never to judge where you have the good fortune to live again.”
She picks up my hand and brings it to her mouth, kissing the palm, then holding it tight between her hands.
“I don’t need an apology. I’m good, but I can’t change those things about me.”
“I don’t want you to. You wouldn’t be the man you are right now if you’d lived a different life.”
This time, I kiss her hand and the tips of each finger. Glancing at the food, I say, “It’s definitely going to be cold.”
She reaches for her plate. “I’m okay with that. I think this was a good conversation.”
Although I knew the reality of my family’s wealth would strike a nerve with her, this wasn’t as unpleasant of a conversation as I expected. “I do, too.” I take a bite, putting this behind us, but then stop before taking another to ask, “Is this how healthy relationships work?”
She balks. “How would I know?”
“We’re a fucked-up pair.”
Shrugging, she says, “At least we have each other.” She takes a drink of her juice.
At least we have each other.
When we’re finished eating, she gets up and rubs her hands together in front of the fire. “What time do we have to check out?”
“We have a late checkout and can stay until noon.”
“It’s going to be hard to leave here.” Her tone softens. “Thank you for booking this for us. It’s been really special.”
“You’re welcome.” A bird landing on the stone ledge outside the window has both of us turning.
Doing a quick bare-footed spin on her way over, she bends down to get a better look, but it flies away. She was doing this last night, looking outside like she couldn’t believe this was real. And each time, she smiled a little bigger.
Turning back to me, she says, “It snowed a lot last night. Do you know what that means?”
“No. What does that mean?” Joining her side, I look over her shoulder and out the window. Snow has covered every surface, and with the sun beginning to peek through the clouds, I need sunglasses.
“We might be stuck here for a few days.” She giggles, her happiness too big to contain. I’ll buy this hotel if it brings her this much joy.
“Do you want to stay?”
“Yes,” she replies, nodding. “But we should go. Our real lives await.” They do, and since I met her, I don’t hate reality so much anymore.
Time is ticking, so I try to act casual when I get dressed in my other clothes. “There’s one last dish on the tray.”
I spy her reaction out of the corners of my eyes. Story looks over after setting her coffee cup back on the table. “What is it?”
“I don’t know,” I mumble.
She walks over and lifts the silver dome. Motionless, she stares in confusion. Still holding the lid in the air, she asks, “What is this, Cooper?”
Glancing between the box on the plate and her a few times, I reply, “Looks like a new camera to me.” I slip a shoe on and then start on the other.
I give her a moment to digest what’s happening while I continue putting my shoes on. When I’m dressed, I walk over and stand next to her. “Are you going to touch it?”
She sets the lid down and takes the box in her hands. Wrapping it in her arms, she holds it to her stomach and looks up at me. “You can’t give this to me.”
“I already did.” Leaning down, I kiss her cheek. “Merry Christmas, baby.”
Tears spring to her eyes. “Oh my God, Cooper.” Holding the box with one arm, the other wraps around me. “This is the best present I’ve ever received. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you so much.” Then she lifts onto her toes and kisses me. “This means more to me than you’ll ever know.”
“I’ll know because you’re going to take amazing photos, and one day, you’ll be in that gallery like we talked about.”
“The one where we don’t know each other?” She laughs.
“I don’t think I could hide my pride if I saw your art on the walls.”
She lifts again, and we kiss. When she lowers back down, she says, “I didn’t buy you anything. I mean, I didn’t know we would be spending Christmas together, but I made something for you at my apartment.”
“You don’t have to give me anything, Story.”
“Just know, it’s not much.”
“I can’t wait to see it. Come on.” I place a kiss on her head when I pass to pick up my stuff and pack it to go. “Let’s get on the road.”
As she’s getting undressed, her head appears to be swimming with happiness, judging by the smile on her face and that dreamy look in her eyes. “I’m going to be utterly unbearable after being spoiled like this,” she says.
“I think I can handle you.”
I’m hit with a pointed look. “You sure about that?”
“Abso-fucking-lutely.” I wink.
When she walks by me, she pokes me in the chest. “I have no doubt whatsoever.” She winks right back, the sass. I laugh, her lightness contagious. This trip has been quick but amazing for me too.
I’ll never regret choosing her and leaving Haywood yesterday. And then I remember the promise I made to them.
Fuck.
23
Story
It’s a hard adjustment coming back from a five-star hotel to my little rinky-dink studio apartment. There’s not much food stocked in the fridge, but it’s never felt more like home than it does with Cooper here.
Our matching Christmas pajamas are in the washer, and I have a pot of hot water beginning to boil for tea. Towel-drying my hair after taking a shower, I ask, “What do you want to do for dinner? I have some lunch meat and bread, some ramen noodle cups, or when I texted Lila to wish her and Jake a Merry Christmas, she said it was okay for us to go to the coffee shop and make something there. Any of those options sound appealing?”
I struggle to know what to do with him when it comes to things like meals. He has servers and Michelin star dining every night. I’m used to fending for myself on an extremely tight budget. If more places were open tonight, I’d use some of my tips to spoil him.
Spinning to face me from the desk, he asks, “Who’s Jake?”
“Lila’s son.” I hang the towel on the hook inside the bathroom. “He’s five and the sweetest kid. He loves his mama.” When I come back out, I tighten the towel wrapped around my body, and add, “She’s a single mom. The dad skipped town right after Jake was born.”
“That’s too bad.”
“Yeah. There might be a restaurant open?” I ask, hoping he lands on something that sounds enticing because I’m starting to get hungry again. The waffle was good, but it’s burned off four hours later.
He’s been distracted for the past thirty minutes, staring at his phone like he’s expecting something important or got something he’s not sure how to deal with. “Whatever you want,” he says, not looking up. “Find something you like on your app and let me know. I can order.”
“I don’t have a delivery app on my phone.” I open the dresser drawer and grab a T-shirt and shorts, but I put the T-shirt back and opt for a sweatshirt instead. “Between the surcharges and cost of food plus tip, I just pop in somewhere if I’m treating myself or I eat at the coffee shop.”
Finally looking at me, he smiles. There’s the Cooper I know. “How about we keep it simple and have the ramen?”
“Good choice.”
Before the noodles are prepared, I go to my desk and pick up the small present I have for him. Forcing it forward, I say, “It’s not much. Just a token.”