Chapter 23
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Julia strolled along the sidewalk of Rosewood Beach, grinning from ear to ear. It was a beautiful Monday morning, and the air was warmer and smelled sweeter than it had all spring. She was wearing a light blouse with jeans and comfortable heels, and she had done her makeup and hair carefully that morning. She was on her way to Greener Pastures, where Cooper worked.
I just know he’s going to love this surprise, she thought, feeling as though she was about to burst with excitement. This is the perfect way to thank him for all of the work he’s been doing for my family.
She practically skipped as she turned around a corner. She hadn’t felt this excited in a long time, and she felt confident she was giving him the best surprise, and just the thing that he needed.
In her right hand was an envelope containing her gift to him, along with a paper bag containing Cooper’s favorite boysenberry muffin from Seaside Sweets Bakery. In her left hand was an Americano for him, done up just the way she knew he liked it. She couldn’t wait to see his face when she gave him all the things she’d picked out for him.
She reached Greener Pastures and stepped inside. A smiling receptionist gave her directions to Cooper’s office, and she strode along the carpeted hallway toward it, her excitement growing.
The door to Cooper’s office was ajar, and she peered through it. He was leaning back in his desk chair, talking on the phone, but the moment he saw her he sat straight up and started grinning.
“That sounds great. Tuesday it is,” he said into the phone. “Looking forward to it. Bye.” He hung up the phone and turned to Julia. “This is amazing! You’re like a fairy, suddenly appearing. What’s the occasion?”
He stood up and hurried over to her to give her a hug.
“Well, first of all, this coffee is for you.” She set it down proudly on his desk, excitement thrumming through her. “It should still be hot. And here is your favorite boysenberry muffin from Seaside Sweets Bakery.”
“What?” He looked every bit as happy as she’d hoped he would, and her heart swelled with pleasure. “Julia, thank you. This is amazing. This is seriously so sweet of you.”
“I’m so glad you like it.” She grinned. “And I have so much more than treats for you.” She held up the envelope triumphantly. “In here are tickets to the next Barn Rollers concert. One ticket for you, and one for me. You finally get to check that off your bucket list, and we get to do it together!”
“Oh my—what?” He grinned from ear to ear as he took the envelope from her and opened it. “I had no idea they were—” He stopped talking and his face fell when he looked at the tickets.
“What?” she asked, suddenly feeling worried. She didn’t understand why he looked disappointed all of a sudden.
“I didn’t realize… well, that city is five hours away from here. We’d have to stay overnight at a hotel.”
“I know.” She grinned again, relieved that she was about to take away his concern. “I already booked us a couple of hotel rooms. I’ve got the whole thing covered.”
Cooper’s lips parted, and she knew in the next instant that something was still wrong. Her heart sank. She’d expected him to be so happy, and he looked the opposite.
“I can’t,” he said, shaking his head. His voice was quiet. “I so wish I could—honestly, it sounds like a dream come true. It’s so thoughtful of you. But I can’t go.”
“Why not?” she stammered, feeling confused and disappointed.
“I just can’t leave Macey alone overnight. I don’t feel comfortable leaving her with a sitter for that long. I’ve gotten more okay with leaving her for a few hours to go out in the evenings sometimes, but going away overnight feels like a lot. I’m not sure if Macey would be okay with that, and I’m not even sure I would be okay with it.” He took a deep breath. “I’m sorry. I really am.”
Julia shook her head. “No, there’s no need to apologize. I should apologize—I clearly wasn’t thinking.” She felt terrible, as though she’d completely blundered. Her mind was racing, and she wondered if she knew how to date a single father after all. “I feel like I was totally inconsiderate—I didn’t think it through like a parent would have.”
“No, don’t say that. The last thing I want is for you to feel bad about trying to do something so sweet for me. I’m sorry I can’t go—I really am. I feel so rude for turning you down. I’m really touched by your thoughtfulness.”
She shook her head. “I completely understand. There’s nothing for you to feel bad about. I’m sorry for not checking with you first—it was silly to try to make it a surprise. I should have thought it all through better.”
“No, if the surprise had worked out, it would have been perfect. I’m really grateful, Julia.”
She smiled at him, but inside, her stomach was still sloshing with disappointment and embarrassment. “Well, at least you can still enjoy your coffee and your muffin.” She laughed, doing her best to sound cheerful.
At that moment, his phone started to ring.
“I’ll get out of your hair,” she said, backing up toward the door and feeling glad of an excuse to leave. She felt so flustered that she needed some time to herself. “I’ll see you next time we all get together to work on the fundraiser.”
“Absolutely.” He smiled at her, but his eyes looked sad. “Thank you again.”
“Of course.” She gave him the biggest smile she could muster, and then slipped out of the room.
She put on another smile as she passed the receptionist, who thankfully was also on the phone. Julia felt almost close to tears, and she didn’t want to have to talk about what had just happened with anyone.
As she stepped out into the sunlight, she took a shaky breath. The exchange between herself and Cooper had rattled her badly—not only because she felt bad about not realizing that he wouldn’t want to leave Macey alone all night, but also because it was making her question whether or not things could work out between them. She was afraid that she’d been wrong about the possibility of the two of them being good together.
I feel totally out of my depth when it comes to understanding what his life is like, she thought. I’m not sure I’m ready to start acting like a co-parent.
She swallowed, remembering the sad look he’d had in his eyes when she was leaving his office. He was probably questioning whether he’d really want to be with her or not.
The thought stung, but she couldn’t brush it aside. She felt sure that he must be starting to doubt their relationship, just like she was.
Wanting to distract herself, she started to walk in the direction of The Lighthouse Grill. There was always something to do there, and she wanted to help with something instead of continue to wrestle with her concerns alone.