Chapter 4
STEPHANIE
Eighteen months ago
So that’s Cooper Mallory.
Whatever I was expecting, that wasn’t it.
I’m in the bathroom now, thinking about how to navigate our next encounter, because our first was definitely a disaster.
Lou and I had been walking down the beach on our way back to the house, when she took off running and was quickly out of sight.
When I caught up to her, she was in Cooper Mallory’s arms (I knew it was him because Sam’s shown me photos), and he was spinning her in circles, her little feet flying out behind her while her giggles filled the air.
When he finally set her down, he looked like he was so dizzy he might puke.
I stayed behind a tree to observe—purely for scientific purposes. I’d heard so much about Deke’s best friend and was curious if he was really as amazing as everyone says he is.
Five minutes of watching him with Lou was all it took to prove my hypothesis: the rumors hadn’t done him justice.
My interest wasn’t just piqued; it was solidified.
There was a magnetic pull in his lack of ego and a contagious kind of fun in his interactions with Lou.
Between the way he moved and the way he laughed, everything I’d been told about Cooper was a massive understatement.
It also didn’t hurt that he was incredibly attractive.
When he stood up and began to spin Lou around for a second time, I noticed how deliciously corded and tanned his forearms were, and the shorts he was wearing gave me a great view of his long, muscled legs.
My heart unexpectedly forgot my healing battle wounds from six weeks ago and started to purr like a cat.
I might have been busily setting up an all-men-are-evil camp the last few weeks, but this man, who I’d still not spoken to, had me thinking that it might be okay to wander into yes-some-men-are-evil-but-some-of-them-might-be-kind-of-nice territory.
With hindsight, I see that it might have been better to wait until I wasn’t so flustered by him before approaching. It was when he was spinning her around for the second time—again, looking dangerously close to puking—that I arrived on their little patch of sand.
“Hello?” Not my most creative introduction, but, again, flustered.
He set Lou down and then inadvertently smacked his hand into my chest and fell toward me, knocking us both into the sand, his heavy body on top of mine. I said nothing, and the nervous energy started building in my body.
With his face so close, I couldn’t help but notice that his cheeks were clean-shaven, making me want to reach up and see if his skin was as smooth as it seemed.
His jaw and cheekbones were so sharp and defined they could cut glass, his hair was thick and looked perfect for twirling in my fingers, his eyes were a smolder of brown so deep they’re almost black—it all made something swirl inside my chest. A slow grin spread across his face, crinkling the corners of his eyes (I love those crinkles).
When I saw the curve of his smile, my lips parted slightly, in awe of his perfectly shaped mouth. It was too much!
The serious trouble began when his expression brightened even further and a dimple popped out on each cheek. Then I stood and—unfortunately—spoke. Never a good idea when I’m nervous.
It didn’t go well.
So, now I’m doing what any self-respecting adult would do: hiding out in the bathroom while I try to recover from meeting a man with an ooey-gooey heart for little girls; the warmest, darkest eyes I’ve ever seen; and dimples that make my knees weak.
Suddenly I hear someone come into the adjoining bedroom.
I immediately check the knob on the door, making sure it’s locked.
A yummy baritone voice comes from the other side of the door, sending shock waves through my body.
It’s Cooper! My mind quickly makes an assessment of the situation: I didn’t use the toilet, but if I leave without flushing, he might think that’s gross.
But if I flush, he’ll for sure think I did use the toilet, and for some reason, I don’t want the next thing he thinks about me to be Stephanie just went to the bathroom.
The sound of his voice reaches me again, and it’s what I imagine rich, deep chocolate would sound like if it could talk. So, recap: he’s adorable with children, chiseled like a Greek god, and easily comparable to chocolate. Is this guy for real?
“Can I just say that I think you’re amazing, and I want to take you out on a date?” Wait . . . what?
How is it that I’m alone with a toilet, but he’s made me blush? This man has superpowers I’ve never encountered before.
But why is he talking to me while I’m in the bathroom? That’s a bit much for a new acquaintance.
He laughs. “I know, it’s been too long. How have you managed without me?”
Something isn’t adding up here.
“Well I can’t have that—you know you’re my number one lady.” A pause, then another laugh. “I’ll never get tired of saying it, because it’s true.” I hear a genuine affection and sincerity in his voice.
Okay . . . he’s on the phone.
Let the debate resume: Is flushing the toilet now a good idea or should I stay quiet until he’s done and leaves? I ponder all the options before realizing that I’ve waited too long to do anything, so whatever I choose will be awkward. I make the executive decision to wait it out until he leaves.
“So, I’m going to be in New York in a couple weeks. How about—” there’s a slight break. “That’s exactly what I was thinking. I’ll see you then. And don’t forget, you’ll always be my number one.” He pauses. “Love you too.”
So, Cooper obviously has a girlfriend. That’s okay!
I wasn’t really interested in applying for the job.
My heart completely overreacted to his cute interaction with Lou and devastatingly placed dimples.
Since I’m still reeling a little from my own personal disaster, this is all perfectly fine information. Cool, cool, cool.
“Is this my number one girl?” He called her back?
“It’s good to hear your voice, Little Bear.” His voice takes on a flirtatious tone. “You know you’re the only woman I have eyes for, right?” He lets out a low chuckle.
I’m so confused.
“I’m going to be in Dallas in a couple of weeks to see you”—Dallas? I thought he said New York?—“so figure out what you want to do.” A pause. “Okay, staying in sounds great.” He laughs at something the other person says. “You know I’m usually up for anything, but that’s too much for me.”
I scrunch my nose, not wanting to conjure up any guesses about what that was about.
“Alright, alright. You know I can never say no to you.” I hear the smile in his voice. “You know I love you, right?” He lets out another chuckle. “Take care, Little Bear. I love you, bye.” He starts talking to himself and mutters, “Love those ladies.” Ladies?
As in . . . more than one?
My brain connects the dots, and my world tilts on its axis: Cooper Mallory is a two-timing cheat!
Bile rises in my mouth as recent memories swim in my head. My mind is close to combusting when his voice cracks through my thoughts.
“Is this the most elegant and classy woman I know?” NO! THIS CANNOT BE HAPPENING!
How is this the same man everyone sings praises of? The best friend to Deke and one of the “most decent men on earth”?
Does anyone else know this is going on?
“I wanted to let you know that I’ll be in Austin sometime in the next few weeks. Are you going to be in town? I need to come see the love of my life and treat her like the queen she is.”
I want to barge in there, rip the phone out of his hand, and tell the woman on the other end to run as far away from Mallory as she possibly can. I wish someone would have done that for me when I was in her situation—but no one did, and I was left with the aftermath.
Unfortunately, I can’t save the poor woman, because my voice has left me and my feet have grown roots. In fact, I can’t get myself to move at all.
I cover my ears, not wanting to hear another word of his conversation. And though I will my tears to stay in place, they listen about as well as a three year old and start to fall.
I’m thrown back to six weeks ago, and all of a sudden, I’m drowning in grief and humiliation. I cover my ears even tighter, doing my best to tune everything out. Finally, he exits the room and leaves me in a huddled mess on the bathroom floor.