Chapter 7
Coco
Why do Mondays always start off so rough?
It’s been a hell of a day since I first opened my eyes this morning.
I slept in, then almost locked myself out of my car when I realized I’d forgotten my lunch upstairs in my apartment.
Then I dealt with the worst couple I’ve ever met.
Nothing was right, and the whole engagement shoot took way longer than I expected.
Now it’s close to seven pm, and I’m running late. I was supposed to meet Alec for our date an hour ago. I texted him earlier to let him know I was running behind, but I didn’t think it would be this much later.
As I park out front, I hurry to gather my things and hustle up the steps to my place. I freeze in my tracks when I see Alec leaning against my front door. He grins when he spots me.
I wince. “I’m so sorry. It’s been the day from hell.”
“That bad, huh?”
“Worse,” I grumble. “I’m not sure I’ll be great company tonight. Truthfully, the last thing I want to do right now is get dressed up and go out. Can we reschedule?”
“How about we do something low-key instead?” he offers as I slip my key into the lock.
“Like what?”
“Put on your pajamas and meet me at my place.”
“I sleep naked,” I lie, a mischievous smirk tugging my lips.
“Coco,” he groans. “You’re killing me.”
“Okay, I’ll wear pajamas.”
“Great. I’ll see you in a few.”
I open my door and turn to watch him enter his apartment. He smiles at me as he goes inside, and I take a steadying breath as I close my front door.
Then I’m like a tornado.
I toss my purse onto the kitchen counter, set my camera and supply bag down next to it, and take off toward my bedroom.
Just as I expected, when I catch sight of my reflection in my dresser mirror, I wince. My mascara has smudged from my rubbing my eyes. My hair is half out of the ponytail I put it in this morning, and my shirt has a small stain from when I spilled my coffee on it earlier.
I look a mess.
I debate taking a shower, but I don’t want to keep Alec waiting any longer. Grabbing my comfiest pajamas, I brush my hair and braid it over my shoulder. I splash some water onto my face, washing off my makeup.
I check my appearance in the mirror again, pleased to see that I look better. Not such a mess anyway.
I wonder what Alec has planned as I slip on a pair of flip-flops and lock my door behind me. My stomach growls as I cross the hallway, and I pray he’s got food for us as I knock on his door.
The door swings open a second later, and my mouth waters at the sight of Alec in a plain white T-shirt and flannel pajama pants. He looks so relaxed, but seeing him like this almost feels intimate.
“Hey,” I say shyly, suddenly nervous.
“Hey, come in. You look great.”
I snort as I look down at my pajamas with the teddy bears all over them. They were a gift from Pearl for my birthday, and while I don’t love the pattern, they’re super comfortable. “Thanks. You too.”
He closes the door behind me and takes my hand, leading me into the kitchen. “Do our apartments have the same layout?”
I nod. “Looks like it.”
“Okay, I won’t waste time giving you the tour then.”
“So, what’s the plan for tonight?” I ask, leaning against the kitchen counter.
“I thought I’d cook for us, and we can hang out, watch a movie or something. How does that sound?”
I sigh. “Sounds perfect.”
“Good. What are you hungry for?” he asks, already opening his fridge.
“I’m not picky. Whatever is easiest,” I say, looking around his place.
It’s kind of sterile. No clutter. He has a couch, an end table, and a TV. That’s it in the living room. From what I can see of the bathroom from here, it’s pretty much the same. A razor and shaving cream sit on the counter next to the soap, and a single towel hangs on the bar.
The kitchen looks the most lived-in. Pots and pans, utensils, and spices I’ve never even heard of before are on the counter or peeking out of the cabinets. He has a dozen cookbooks stacked by the fridge, and a notebook next to it that he looks to be jotting ideas down in.
“How about chicken cordon bleu?” he asks.
“Sounds good. Please tell me you don’t need any help,” I joke.
He laughs. “No, you relax. Want something to drink?”
“A glass of wine?”
“Coming right up.”
My gaze is riveted on him as he moves around the space. It’s obvious that the kitchen is his sanctuary, his kingdom. He’s comfortable, confident, at ease.
He pours me a glass of wine, sliding it across the counter. I sit on the bar stool and watch him work.
“So, what happened today?” he asks as he chops vegetables.
“One bad thing after another. I woke up late, spilled my coffee, almost locked my keys in my car.”
Alec nods for me to go on.
“I got to the photo shoot, and it was this adorable bride and groom. I thought it would be easy, and I’d be home hours ago.”
“Not so easy?” he asks sympathetically.
“No, not at all. The bride had a billion different Pinterest photo ideas, which usually I would have loved, right? Except most of them required supplies I didn’t bring because she never communicated any of this with me when I set up the appointment and asked what she was looking for.”
I’m on a rant now. Alec nods along, his eyes flicking between me and the food.
“I tried to tell her, but she didn’t want to listen.
Then she screamed at me for not being professional.
I tried to explain, but she went full Bridezilla.
She insisted we wait for the evening sunlight, when early morning and late at night are typically better for photos.
I really didn’t want to stay that late since I’d already spent way too many hours with them at this point. ”
Alec frowns. “You should’ve left.”
I sigh. “I know, but I’m a perfectionist. I wanted them to have photos they’d love, so I kept trying. When she asked for photos of their venue, I put my foot down. They only booked and paid for one location and a certain number of photos. Plus, I was starving by then.”
As if the wedding demons have summoned her, my phone buzzes with a message from said bride. I glare at the screen as I read it.
“Bad news?” Alec asks.
“It’s the bride. She wants to know if I have time tomorrow to wrap up this shoot.”
“You have got to be kidding me,” Alec snaps.
“Nope.”
I show him the screen, letting him read the message.
“You’re not wasting any more time on them, right?” he demands.
“Hell no. I’m going to tell them I’m already booked for tomorrow.”
“Are you?”
“No, tomorrow is my day off, but no way am I spending another full day with those two.”
“Good.” He slides the chicken into the oven and pours himself a glass of wine, topping mine off. “Come on. Let’s find something to watch.”
Alec takes my hand and leads me into the living room. I sit on the couch and lean back as he flips through the channels.
“Do you love or hate watching cooking shows?” I ask when one pops up on the screen.
“Depends on the show, I guess.”
“Have you seen this one?”
“No.”
“Put it on.”
He nods, clicking on the first episode. We both relax as it starts, and I marvel at how easy and natural this all feels. We both seem to click.
If I knew having a boyfriend would be like this, maybe I would’ve tried earlier, I think, then stop myself. No, I think this is just Alec. Being with him feels right. It wouldn’t have been like this with anyone else.
I don’t know how I know that. Gut instinct, I guess.
I’m starting to fall in love with him.
That realization hits me like a ton of bricks. Luckily for me, the oven timer goes off, and Alec stands to finish dinner so he misses my wide-eyed, panicked look.
I try to focus on the show as Alec plates our food before returning to the living room.
“Bon Appetit,” he says, passing me my plate.
“Thanks, this looks amazing.”
I try to act normal as we eat. It’s hard not to moan as every bite melts in my mouth. “I think this is the best thing I’ve ever eaten.”
Alec smiles happily. “Thanks. It’s always been a favorite of mine.”
“You should offer it at Palmer’s,” I tell him. “On the new menu.”
“Maybe.”
We talk about the show, the new menu, and how he’s adjusting to life in a small town as we finish eating. Alec stands, clearing away our plates, and I can’t help but think about our future.
What would being with him be like? There’d be great food, sure, but would our schedules work? Would we get bored with only seeing each other one night a week?
I’m getting way ahead of myself. We’ve only known each other for a short time. I don’t need to worry about any of that right now. For tonight, I need to enjoy being with him and have some fun.
“Coco?” Alec frowns as he sits back down next to me.
I realize he was asking me a question. “Sorry, what?”
“I asked what you want,” he says.
I lick my lips and sit up straighter. “You,” I whisper as I lean forward, closing the distance between us and pressing my lips to his.