Only if Cooper has really cut off contact with his family. I search his eyes for something that will expose the lie, but I only find the same raw honesty he used to have when he’d tell me he loved me.
I should think this over and not make any rash decisions. But my soul is still drawn to him, my heart recalling how good we once were together. We didn’t break us apart. We lost faith and let others intervene.
Legally, he’s risking everything by sharing this information with me. I’m confused why he would fight for years to win if he’s willing to risk it all if I open my mouth to the press. Left with only one question, I ask, “If you had to sign a nondisclosure agreement to get the money, why did you tell me?”
“It’s all I have to give as a guarantee that you can trust me.”
37
Cooper
Story has been troubling her bottom lip for the past three minutes. I’ve kept track of the time.
On the one hand, I appreciate how protective she is of her, of our, son. I honestly could have never asked for a better mother for my kids. On the other hand, she holds all the cards; everything has been laid on the table. All she has to do is make a phone call to a reporter or post the settlement details online. Tell a friend who likes to gossip, or use it against me to keep our son, my son, from me.
I understand the time she’s taking to weigh the options. Every second kills an ounce of hope I was admittedly, stupidly, holding on to inside.
“You once promised me,” she says, “that you would never hurt me.”
“I remember.” I remember breaking that promise every day of my life. How could I have known what I did as a teenager would come back to haunt me? She’ll never forgive me for that, but I don’t forgive myself either.
“I left my door unlocked for you. The other side of the bed remained empty until the day I moved out. I can’t watch Breakfast at Tiffany’s on Christmas anymore because instead of my mom, I think of you.”
“It’s a sad movie anyway.”
She scoffs in laughter as tears spring to her eyes. “You once said we’re all a little sad, but some of us are better at hiding it than others. I didn’t really understand what you meant back then. I do now.”
“I’m sorry for stealing your sunshine, Story.”
“It’s still here behind the clouds.”
The server shows up and starts clearing the plates. “Anything else?”
“I’m good,” I reply, sitting back to give her space but keeping my eyes on the woman across from me as this meal starts wrapping up. Still watching and waiting for her to open all the way up. “Story?”
She pauses, glancing at the server, but when she looks at me again, she says, “I think I’m good.”
“Yeah?”
“Mm-hmm.” There’s a certainty to her tone and the confident nod of her head that has me feeling the progress we’ve made. I just hope we can hold on to it.
When the server sets the bill down, I reach for my wallet and hand my card over just before she leaves the table. “I’d like to get this.”
Story says, “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
An awkwardness is quick to invade the empty table between us, but then she says, “Cooper? I’ve been afraid to ask you something.” She shrugs. “Many things, actually, but we don’t have time for that.”
“I have the time.”
She smiles, one filled with that sunshine we mentioned. “Unfortunately, I don’t.” She taps her watch. “Not today.” Another day?
My back straightens to attention because she genuinely looks disappointed. I just don’t think I can push her into another meeting. It’s her call what happens next. Again, she holds all the cards because I willingly took the risk and gave them freely. I wouldn’t have done that for anyone else.
Knowing she has other places to be today, our time feels rushed, so I ask, “What was it that you wanted to ask me? You can ask me anything.”
She takes a sip of her water, then leans in conspiratorially. “You don’t owe me the answer, Cooper.” I love hearing her say my name without hate embodied in it. “But I don’t see a ring or even an indentation where one used to be. You said you’re not dating Heather, but did you marry Camille?”
“Camille?” I practically pull a muscle in my neck from jerking back. I start laughing from the mere suggestion. “Camille Arden?”
Story is not amused.
My jaw drops. “You’re serious?”
“Of course, I’m serious.” Waving her hand in front of her, she adds, “Clearly, you didn’t by that reaction, but she told me she would and that you would never marry someone like me.”
Shaking my head in disbelief, I drop my jaw even further. “She said I wouldn’t marry someone clever, beautiful, kind with the biggest heart, thoughtful, and intelligent, someone who is willing to put in the work whether it comes to a job, school, or a relationship? I’m confused what kind of person she’d think I’d marry if I wouldn’t want those attributes?”
She tries to restrain her grin, but one side rises and then the other. Pink spreads across her cheeks right before she says, “You always were a charmer.”
“If I could charm you, Story Salenger, I would, but I have a feeling you’re resistant to anything to do with a Haywood.”
“Except one.” The quietest of gasps is heard as she sucks in a breath that she’s now holding. With her pretty hazel eyes wide with worry, she says, “I, um—” She gets to her feet and grabs her purse, but it slips from her hands from hurrying.
Story’s always made my heart beat erratically, but this time, it’s a race against time. I stand, but not wanting to make a scene, I whisper, “Tell me, Story. Please.”
Her gaze is darting around as her eyes fill with tears. “Not here,” she says, passing me and rushing toward the exit.
The server comes over and sets my card down again. “Sorry, I got pulled into the kitchen.”
I scribble my name and copy the cost of the meals for the tip. Dashing through the inside of the restaurant, I don’t see her. I run outside and frantically look both ways. But there’s no fucking sign of her. “Fuck.”
People waiting in line for the restaurant move farther away from me. When a mother covers her child’s ears with her hands and puts herself between us, I huff. “Sorry.”
Scrubbing my hands over my face, I take a deep breath and then exhale just as slowly.
“Cooper?”
I turn around.
Story’s standing there, not ten feet from me. I close the gap, keeping two between us.
The tears that were in her eyes earlier aren’t there now. The fear I heard in her voice is nowhere to be found. Instead, I’m greeted with a soft smile and a peek into her soul. I missed seeing her look at me like this, like we have a lifetime ahead of us.
She says, “I think you should meet your son.”
Story
“Slow down,” Lila yells to Jake. When he stops ahead, she redirects her attention to me. “You’re going to need to back up, Story. How the hell does Cooper Haywood know he is Reed’s sperm donor?”
I nod toward Reed on the other side of me, and whisper, “Don’t call him that.”
“Wow, you’re already defending him? That must have been a damn good brunch last week.”
I stop, my hand tightening on Reed’s. “What’s wrong? Why are you so angry?”
With her eyes on her own son, she whispers, “He wasn’t here to pick up the pieces.” When Jake starts walking back toward us, she looks at me. “I was. It wasn’t pretty. In fact, it was damn messy.”
Reed says, “She says damn a lot, Mommy.”
“I know. Don’t you say it, though. Okay, buddy?”
He nods, so I turn back to Lila, giving her scolding wide eyes before we start walking again. She sighs, but then continues, “Look, Story, his last name gives him access to money and lawyers that you won’t be able to compete with. If Cooper wants this kid, or worse, his parents want a second chance, you’ll lose him.”
“Do you not think all of this has been running like a loop inside my head? I slept on his floor last night just to be near him and spent half the night staring at this perfect human who’s kind and smart—”