Her gaze flies over my shoulder, and her spine straightens. “Lou’s too nice. Not my type at all.”
I shrug. “I’m happy to say that I’m officially over the bad boys.”
“The guys you dated weren’t bad. They were awful.”
I untie the apron and wad it in my hands. “Truer words were never spoken.” I stuff it in my bag and then head for the door. “Good night.”
The towering apartment building can’t be seen from the street in daylight. And although it’s not late at 8:17, it’s been dark for a few hours. I decide to make the trek anyway and surprise him. I hope he’s happy when he sees me, and I’m not opening Pandora’s box instead.
As I stand in front of the building, it’s bigger than I remember the last time I was here. But Troy had already been drinking and starting to make a scene, so we shuffled inside quickly. I didn’t know he had rich friends, but he said he knew this guy and hadn’t seen him in a while. I never did get to meet his friend.
Even though I’m looking up as far as I can see, the top of the building is hidden from view and engulfed by clouds. I go in. There’s no doorman, but the building feels fancy enough to have one.
I don’t know what floor Cooper lives on, so I look for a directory. It’s not exactly safe to post people’s names and apartment numbers these days, but I check the lobby anyway. When I don’t see one, I plug his name and the street address into a search app on my phone and bingo.
The elevator door opens as soon as I approach. Stepping in, I push the button for the fifteenth floor. There are only sixteen, so that means Cooper lives under the penthouse. No surprise. The higher the floor, the higher the cost. The reality real estate shows have taught me a lot.
Checking my phone again, I find another text from him asking if it’s going to be a late night. He’s sweet to offer to help with any cravings. Hopefully, I can satisfy his craving for me instead. I’m getting more excited with each floor I pass.
The door slides open, and when I step out, I look around. Déjà vu strikes, but I can’t put my finger on why it’s familiar. Sure, it’s nicely decorated with a calm blue on the walls and dark blue carpets lining the hall. Maybe every floor in this building is the same, so that can’t be it.
I keep walking, checking numbers above the doors. When I reach his, something in my gut twists as a memory of following this same path hits.
My heart starts pounding in my chest as I stand there, the number 15B gleaming in gold letters above his door. I listen but don’t immediately hear anything—no music or voices—but I’m suddenly nervous like I’m intruding.
Maybe I shouldn’t have come, after all, and waited for an invitation.
Panic sets in. What do I do?
Stay or walk away?
Cooper loves me. He’s said it. He’s shown me how he feels. There’s nothing behind that door he needs to worry about when it comes to me.
I’m being silly. I swallow down my nerves and knock.
And then the door opens . . .
24
Story
“Story?” Cooper’s eyes leave me to look down the hall. “What are you doing here?”
Suspicious. I look behind me, just in case, but I feel sick to my stomach for doing it. Jealousy is something I’ve managed to escape in my relationships. Until now. “Expecting someone?”
“No,” he replies with a nervous laugh. “Of course, not. Not even you.”
My heart drops as a lump forms in my throat. I force the words to wedge around it, and ask, “Why does it feel like I just busted you doing something?”
“I’m not doing anything.” Pulling his phone from his pocket, he holds it up. “I was literally waiting to hear from you.” He kicks the door wide and then catches it with his palm on the return. “Come in.”
“I’m not sure I’m welcome.”
His shoulders and whatever guard he had falls as he enters the hallway. Taking my hands in his, he lets the door shut behind him. “You’re welcome here anytime, Story. You don’t need an invitation. You can give me a heads-up or show up unannounced. I was surprised to see you, but it wasn’t a bad surprise. I’m sorry if I made you feel otherwise.”
He leans down to kiss me. I could fight this and live with the distrust or jealousy causing my stomach to clench, or I could trust him.
We just started telling each other we’re in love, so I choose to trust. “I was curious why you never invited me to your apartment and figured I’d find out what you’re hiding over here.” My eyes dart to the door but then return to his eyes. I hold up my phone. “I got your texts, but honestly, I didn’t think twice about showing up here until I was standing in the lobby.”
“I’m glad you’re here. I just didn’t expect you or anyone to be knocking on my door. I’m sorry if that freaked you out.”
“It’s okay, but can we go in?”
Holding my hand, he turns to open the door for me and then follows. “You walked all that way?”
Though I have the freedom to walk all the way inside, I don’t go too far, thinking he should lead. “It wasn’t too bad of a hike.”
“Except that it’s nine o’clock at night and freezing outside. I would have picked you up. I was ready to drive you home.” Our hands fall apart, and he moves around me to take the lead. “I’ll give you the quick tour. Living room. Kitchen and dining off to the right, hall on the left with two bedrooms.”
The entry isn’t as grand as I imagined, but I’m not sure why I imagined his place as a palace instead of a normal apartment. “That was a quick tour. Mine’s quicker.” I laugh, but when I look ahead, my gaze traveling across the living room, I see the balcony that extends the length of the living room. A memory of my ex and some redhead on a balcony flirting comes back as if it’s happening before me.
I shake my head and steady my breathing. That night only went downhill after that.
Walking into the living room, I brush away the competing images and look around.
This apartment is not like any other college kids I’ve seen. Did I expect less from Cooper? Not really. Not anymore.
It’s warmer than I expected it to be, not in temperature, though it does feel cozy, but the color palette. There’s less white as it leans into warm greens on the sofa, probably leather. Everyone else I know has the imitation, but I’m pretty sure that’s not Cooper’s style. As if a designer came in and took charge, there’s a blanket on one end of the couch, not draped but bundled like it’s been used recently, and two throw pillows that match the chairs anchoring either end. “It’s really nice, Cooper. I like the colors.”
The man never needs anyone’s approval, but when he hears mine, a genuine smile appears as pride lifts the corners. “Thanks.”
There’s a large TV hanging on the wall, and even a table in the dining area. It’s contemporary, not formal. “Can I see your bedroom?”
“Happily.” There’s a cockiness to his tone that I don’t hear much, but it doesn’t bother me when I do.
Walking down the short hall, I look to the left, recalling a bathroom being there the night of that party. When I see it with the door propped open, my feet stop as if this time I can protect myself. I’d be wise not to go there again.
My hands start shaking, and my chest tightens, causing my breathing to labor. I close my eyes and try to put the reality of the circumstance into perspective. That night, and Troy cheating, was never about me. It was always about him.
“Story?”
I open my eyes to see Cooper standing in the doorway of his bedroom. “Are you coming?”
Putting on a happy face for him, I refuse to hold that night against the man who’s been nothing short of a knight in shining armor. I close the distance between us. “Yeah, can’t wait to see where the magic happens. Wait . . .” I start laughing, though a twinge has stifled the usual butterflies I feel around him. “That didn’t come out right. I don’t want to think about you having magic with other people.” I laugh, but even I can hear the hollowness, so I know he can.