Chapter Five #2
“Interesting.” Lexi leaned back in her seat.
She felt a bit jealous of his late wife, as unreasonable as it was, who seemed to be a remarkable woman in her own right.
Cooper deserved to prop her up, just as Lexi felt she did when it came to Jonathan.
But both were ghosts from their pasts and there was no reason for either of them to view their late spouses as competition for the living, as they each forged ahead in life and whatever new twists and turns were in the making.
“You seem to have made the right choice,” she perceived in what she picked up from him as a special agent.
“Yeah, I think so.” Cooper fixed her face. “I could say the same thing about you as an architect who’s obviously leaving her mark on Maricopa County, from what I saw at your studio.”
“Thanks.” Lexi smiled and mused, mutual admiration and respect is a good start to friendship and potentially more. “Just trying to apply what I’ve learned to help my clients get whatever they’re looking for in architecture.”
“Good for you—and them.” Cooper rested a long arm on the table. “Apart from your professional achievements, what does Lexi De La Garza like to do in her spare time?”
Lexi didn’t need much time to think about it.
“Jog, swim, hike, exercise in the gym, cook, read books, shop… Let’s see, what else…
Video chat with family, listen to music, watch movies—especially romantic comedies—and reality TV shows, anything related to the holidays on television, and travel when afforded the time. That’s about it.”
“I’d say that covered a lot.” He chuckled. “Sounds like a pretty well-rounded life you have.”
She laughed. “I guess it is. I’m thankful for that,” she said, considering how low she had been when Jonathan died.
Lexi met Cooper’s eyes. “What about you? What does an FBI agent—this one—do when off the job, apart from attend a support group for the widowed?” She could guess that working out to maintain his superb physical conditioning was likely at the top of the list of his activities.
“I like to exercise to stay fit, too,” he confirmed her strong suspicions.
“Be it at the gym, at home, or outside in different capacities—including jogging, stair-climbing, weightlifting, and the good old-fashioned treadmill. Beyond that, we also have in common reading for pleasure, music, films—especially international mysteries and thrillers—some travel, sports and keeping in touch with what family I have left. I’m not too good in the kitchen, but still like to at least try to cook a meal whenever the mood suits me… and there’s someone to cook for—”
“Hmm.” Lexi pondered this while finishing off her drink. “Sounds well-rounded, too.” She imagined that he was probably better in the kitchen than he was letting on.
Cooper flashed a crooked grin. “Yeah, I suppose.”
“Well, I should probably get going,” she told him, even though she felt comfortable enough with him to talk all day. But she didn’t want to take up any more of his time, in case he needed to get back to his FBI duties.
“All right,” he said, sounding as if he wished she could stay longer. “I’m sure I’ve taken up enough of your time.”
Ditto, Lexi thought, but didn’t respond.
They left the lounge together, and Cooper walked Lexi to her car. She turned to him. “Thanks for the drink.”
“Thanks for accepting the invite—and the company,” he voiced, peering at her. “Any chance we could do this again sometime?”
Lexi smiled. “Yes, I think there’s at least a chance,” she answered teasingly, while knowing that she definitely wanted to see him again in a nonwork capacity.
“Can I see your phone?” Cooper took the cell phone from a pocket of his wool sport coat and handed it to her.
Lexi put her number in the phone and handed it back to him.
“Call me,” she said, putting the ball in his court.
Cooper grinned. “I will,” he promised.
Lexi’s eyes lit. “Okay.” As she was getting into her car, their clothing brushed against one another and this somehow reverberated throughout her, making her blush. She hoped he hadn’t noticed the power of his touch.
After putting on her seat belt, she waved goodbye and drove off. In the rearview mirror, Lexi could see Cooper watching her for a moment or two before moving toward his own vehicle.
That went well, she told herself, considering that running into the handsome special agent while taking Eleanor’s place at the meeting had come as a total surprise.
Lexi liked Cooper. She hoped the chance get-together was, indeed, a sign that it could lead to something.
Just what that might be remained to be seen, but it certainly seemed worth pursuing.
Assuming he did call her and ask her out, or whatever, as someone who was old-fashioned and not used to taking the lead when it came to dating since her husband died.
When she arrived home, Lexi decided to pay Eleanor a quick courtesy call, to make sure her elderly neighbor was all right.
Eleanor opened the front door before Lexi could ring the bell. “Lexi,” she said, as though surprised to see her.
“Hi, Eleanor.” Lexi smiled at her frail neighbor. “How are you feeling?”
“Much better,” she said in a stronger than usual tone of voice. “Guess I just needed to rest a bit.”
“Well, I’m happy to hear that.” Lexi gazed at her thoughtfully. “I just got back from the support group meeting.”
Eleanor’s eyes creased at the corners. “How was it?”
“Good. Everyone was nice and welcoming,” Lexi admitted, particularly Cooper. “They missed you, though,” she told her sincerely.
Eleanor reacted to this. “I missed them too, but I think it was much better that you went in my place. You’re still young, Lexi, and you need to spend some time with other young widows and widowers who can relate to what you went through.”
“You’re right, Eleanor,” she believed, “it was a positive experience and I thank you for getting me there—even if it was maybe a little sneaky on your part.” Lexi chuckled so Eleanor knew that she had no ill will toward her well-meaning, grandmotherly like help.
Eleanor played innocent. “I have no idea what you’re talking about,” she claimed, with a laugh. “In any event, I hope we can attend a meeting together in the future?”
Lexi showed her teeth and appreciated her friendship. “I’d like that.”
When Eleanor asked if she wanted to come in for a cup of tea or coffee, Lexi took a rain check on that, as she had to look in on and feed her dog. Eleanor happily accepted this and gave Lexi a hug and kiss on the cheek.
Inside her own house, Lexi was greeted by Pepper and played with him for a few minutes. She couldn’t help but wonder if Cooper liked dogs. Especially Yorkshire terriers. Something told her he would be right at home with Pepper. And vice versa.
She headed toward the kitchen with the dog, where Lexi imagined cooking for Cooper one day. Or even cooking together, in spite of his supposed limited skills to the contrary.
THE SUV WAS parked just down the street from Lexi De La Garza’s house.
The men inside it had followed her as the architect first went to the Owenne Community Center, for what they determined was a support group gathering.
Then she left and followed a male attendee to the Marmots Lounge on East McDowell Road—after which Lexi went home.
The two men watched as Lexi chatted briefly with her elderly next-door neighbor before she went inside her own house.
The heavier man behind the wheel sighed and said sarcastically, “Would be too bad if we had to take out the good-looking architect.”
The thinner male passenger smirked and responded, “Whatever happens, happens. Not our call.”
“Yeah, you’re right, it isn’t.” The driver still had his own thoughts about her, though still undecided as to whether or not to act on them. “We’ll see what the boss wants to do—and who else we might need to deal with.”
“Let’s get out of here,” the other man voiced impatiently.
The man behind the steering wheel agreed, starting the SUV and driving off.
Once again, he took out his cell phone and passed along everything that went down with the architect to their employer, while feeling confident that Lexi was none the wiser as they practically tracked her every move right under her nose.