Chapter Twenty-Nine
Allegra
I was helping Mr. Rodriguez through his post-knee replacement exercises when Joanna poked her head into the treatment room. “Allegra, you’ve got a visitor in the waiting area when you have a moment.”
“Thanks, I’ll be right there.” My heart did a flip-flop, and I hoped it was Cooper, even though I had vehemently told him to stay away from my work. I turned back to my patient. “Three more reps, Mr. Rodriguez, then we’ll ice that knee.”
The routine of patient care had been my anchor these past two weeks since Cooper pushed me away. I’d thrown myself into work at the clinic with single-minded determination. The familiar rhythm was comforting—measuring progress, adjusting treatment plans, celebrating small victories with my patients. At least at work, I could pretend my heart wasn’t shattered into a million pieces.
When I stepped into the waiting room, I found Ashlynn sitting in one of the chairs, scrolling through her phone. She looked up with a kind smile.
“Ashlynn,” I managed a small smile in return, trying to hide my disappointment. “What brings you here? ”
“You do,” she said directly, her sharp eyes studying me. “Steele told me what happened with Cooper. I thought you might need a…friend.”
I fiddled with my ID badge, trying to keep my hands steady. “That’s kind of you, but I’m fine.”
“Hmm,” Ashlynn hummed skeptically. “When’s your lunch break?”
I glanced at the clock. “Twenty minutes.”
“Perfect. There’s a little bistro around the corner that makes amazing salads. My treat.” Her tone made it clear this wasn’t really a request.
Twenty minutes later, we were settled in a quiet corner booth, a plate of untouched prosciutto and fig salad in front of me. Ashlynn watched as I pushed a piece of arugula around my plate.
“You know,” she said finally, “when I first met Steele, he was exactly like Cooper.”
I looked up, meeting her understanding gaze. “What do you mean?”
“He was deep in his business, obsessed with his own reputation.” Ashlynn took a sip of her water. “Didn’t think he was worthy of love, even though he craved it.” She smiled slightly.
“Cooper made it clear he will never leave his business. This is who he is.”
“Sounds familiar,” Ashlynn nodded. “Did he at least come up with some kind of lame excuse?”
Despite myself, I felt a tiny smile tugging at my lips. “He tried to blame my father, actually. Said he couldn’t trust me.”
“Even though Steele told me Cooper knows you had nothing to do with what happened?”
“Even though,” I confirmed, the smile fading. “I think...I think that almost makes it worse, you know? That he’d rather lie about not trusting me than admit he’s just scared.”
Ashlynn reached across the table, squeezing my hand. “Want to know what Steele told me about Cooper?”
I hesitated, then nodded.
“He said Cooper canceled a major deal with Viktor Petrov to protect you.”
The news hit me like a physical blow. “What?”
“It was your father’s terms for your safety. Cooper didn’t hesitate to call it off. Walked away from millions to keep you from harm.” Ashlynn’s eyes held mine. “Does that sound like a man who doesn’t love you?”
I felt tears welling up and blinked them back furiously. “Then why? Why push me away now?”
“Because getting shot scared him,” Ashlynn said simply. “Not the bullet—the realization of how much he had to lose. How much you meant to him.” She smiled sadly. “Men like Cooper and Steele, they’re used to calculating risks, weighing odds. But love? Real, all-consuming love? It terrifies them because it’s the one thing they can’t control.”
“So what happened with you and Steele?” I asked, finally taking a bite of my salad. “How did you get past it?”
Ashlynn laughed. “I refused to listen.”
“I tried that,” I said quietly. “Told him I had nothing to do with my father.”
“And?”
“And he just...shut down. Wouldn’t even look at me. ”
“Because you were right,” Ashlynn said. “And men like Cooper, they’re not used to being vulnerable. They think it makes them weak.”
“It doesn’t,” I protested.
“Of course it doesn’t. If anything, it makes them stronger. But they have to figure that out for themselves.” She studied me for a moment. “Can I tell you something else Steele told me?”
I nodded.
“He said that Cooper will come around. He’s just scared of losing you. He knows he can’t operate the way he does and have a real relationship with you. But Steele and I are both certain that he’s going to do the right thing in the end.”
Fresh tears threatened, and this time I couldn’t hold them back. “I don’t know what to do, Ashlynn. I love him. Even now, even after he pushed me away...I love him so much it hurts.”
“I know,” she said softly. “And he loves you too. That’s why he’s so terrified.”
“So what do I do?”
“What do you want to do?”
I thought about it, wiping away my tears with my napkin. “I want to fight for him. For us. But I don’t know how when he won’t even let me near him.”
“Then maybe,” Ashlynn said carefully, “you need to let him see what he’s really losing. Not just the idea of you, but the reality. The way you make him better, stronger. The way you give him something to fight for.”
“How?”
“By being exactly who you are. Strong. Resilient. Someone who sees the real him, not just the tough exterior he shows the world.” She chuckled. “You know, Steele and Colton say Cooper’s different with you. More human. Less...closed off.”
“He was,” I whispered. “Until...”
“Until he got scared,” Ashlynn finished. “But fear passes. Trust me on this. The love? That’s what stays.”
I took a deep breath, trying to center myself. “Did Steele tell you about Viktor? About the threats he’s making?”
Ashlynn’s expression grew serious. “Yes. And that’s another reason I’m here. Cooper thinks pushing you away will protect you, but all it does is leave you vulnerable.”
“What do you mean?”
“Viktor already knows about you. Ending your relationship doesn’t change that. It just means you won’t be prepared if he tries something.” She leaned forward. “Cooper needs to realize that keeping you at arm’s length doesn’t make you safer—it just means you’re alone when the danger comes.”
I absorbed this, feeling a chill run down my spine. “You think Viktor would really...”
“I think men like Viktor don’t take kindly to being crossed,” Ashlynn said carefully. “And I think Cooper needs to understand that pushing you away isn’t the answer. Being together, being strong together—that’s how you survive in this world. If Cooper doesn’t step up, I’ll talk to Steele about security options for you.”
We sat in silence for a moment, letting the weight of her words sink in.
Finally, I asked the question that had been burning in my mind.
“Do you really think he’ll come around?”
Ashlynn grinned, reaching for her purse. “I think he’s already starting to. Why else would Steele be so involved? He sees Cooper making the same mistakes he almost made with me.” She laid down some bills for lunch. “Just...don’t give up on him yet, okay? Sometimes the ones most worth fighting for are the ones who don’t think they deserve it.”
As we stood to leave, she pulled me into a surprise hug. “And Allegra? You’re not alone in this. Whatever happens with Cooper, you’ve got me in your corner now. And trust me, I’m not a bad ally to have in this world.” She gave me a wink.
As we gathered our things to leave, Ashlynn brightened. “Oh, before I forget—I actually came with an ulterior motive, too. Steele and I are having a wedding ceremony next weekend. Small, just close friends. We’d love for you to come.”
My heart clenched, knowing I’d have to refuse. Not just because of Cooper. “I can’t,” I said softly. “I’m speaking at the International Congress of Physical Therapy in Barcelona that weekend. It’s been planned for several weeks.”
Ashlynn’s expression fell slightly. “That’s a shame. Though I have to admit, I’m impressed. That’s quite an achievement.”
I managed a small smile, trying to ignore the painful irony. I’d be going alone, while Cooper would be here at Steele’s wedding, the very wedding he invited me to as a guest when I was just his physical therapist.
“Maybe it’s for the best,” I said, though the words tasted bitter. “Being in the same room right now might be...complicated. And with the threat of Viktor—it might be better if I’m not in Paris.”
Ashlynn studied me thoughtfully. “You know, sometimes distance gives perspective. To both parties.” She squeezed my arm gently. “Who knows? Maybe by the time you get back, he’ll have gotten his head out of his ass.”
I laughed despite myself, grateful for her attempt to lighten the moment. “Here’s hoping.”