Chapter 23
COOPER
When I walk into the conference room for the meeting, Stephanie and a blonde woman are on the far side of the room, against the floor-to-ceiling windows, quietly having a conversation.
Stephanie’s wearing a dark-green blouse and black pencil skirt that I’m guessing are Oscar de la Renta (with Kaylee as my sister and a few needy girlfriends, I’ve learned a lot about fashion designers) and a pair of tan Louboutin shoes.
Her outfit is the equivalent of a man wearing a red power tie.
It’s one thing I’ve always noticed about Stephanie: she likes to dress in high fashion.
She’s never appeared to be snobbish or entitled about it, but it’s one of the reasons my mother’s advice is terrible.
I’ve learned the hard way that women who like expensive things like men with money.
Not because they like the man—but because they like what the man can buy them.
I want Stephanie to be interested in me because of me, not because I can buy her whatever she wants—which I can.
I assume the woman she’s talking to is Alyssa.
She’s very petite with short blonde hair and is dressed in floral-print pants, a slightly baggy sweater, and chunky jewelry.
It’s a comfortable vibe, and she wears it well.
They are very focused on their conversation, and Stephanie seems agitated, so I don’t interrupt.
The man sitting at the large, dark-wood conference table rises when he sees me and extends his hand. “Hey, I’m McKay with Vision Design Productions. You must be Cooper Mallory?” He’s a few inches shorter than I am and has a slim, athletic build and one of the friendliest faces I’ve ever seen.
I reach out and shake his hand. “Yes, I’m Cooper.
It’s nice to meet you. Stephanie says this wouldn’t be happening without you, so my partner Deacon and I can’t thank you enough.
Frank also sends his thanks and is anxious to meet you in person.
He promises to make sure this is worth it for your company. ”
“If we’re helping Stephanie, it’s already worth it. We’d do anything for her, so we’re happy this worked out.”
“Mallory,” I turn and see Stephanie approaching, “I want to introduce you to Alyssa, McKay’s wife.”
I reach out and shake Alyssa’s hand. “I hear nothing but great things about you. Thank you so much—you and Mckay are life savers. My mind still can’t wrap itself around what you’ve been able to get done in such a short amount of time.
” I look around and don’t see anyone else.
I’ve been interested to meet Chase Collins and see what kind of a man Stephanie would date. “I’m assuming Chase isn’t here yet?”
“Is someone yapping about me?” A man walks through the door, a big coffee-shop bag draped around his forearm and a drink holder in each hand.
He’s followed by one of the building’s doormen, who’s also holding two drink holders—with four drinks each.
Chase wears a simple but fitted T-shirt, faded jeans, and non-descript tennis shoes.
This is not how I thought one of the world’s biggest pop stars would dress.
“Sorry I’m late. I was grabbing some brekkie for everyone.
” He sets the bag and drinks down on the conference table and wipes his hands on his jeans before sliding the doorman a tip.
Turning to McKay, he says, “Mate, it’s so good to see you.
It’s been too long.” He gives McKay a fist bump then pulls him into a man hug.
There are customary pleasantries exchanged before he turns to Alyssa.
“You look as beautiful as ever.” He pulls her into a hug too.
“And from what I see on Insta, the girls are looking more and more like you and not their dad—thank heavens.” He throws a cheesy wink at McKay.
“No argument here.” McKay smiles at Alyssa.
“I also heard there’s another bundle on the way! I couldn’t be happier for you both.” When Alyssa smiles in confirmation, Chase pulls her in for another hug. “The world needs more little yous.” His smile is wide and genuine.
He turns to Stephanie, and I catalog everything. Will there be a hug? There’s no way he’d go in for a kiss, right? Are Australians friendly enough to kiss their exes? As he moves closer to her, the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.
“Stephanie.” He stops a polite distance away and extends a hand.
When she takes it, he wraps his other hand tightly around hers.
He doesn’t go in for a hug but lingers on their handshake.
“You look well. It’s so good to see you.
” His voice is soft and more tender than it was with McKay and Alyssa.
“So, so good.” His teeth are white, his skin is tan, and he seems like a genuinely nice guy.
I instantly hate him.
Stephanie’s posture and smile are business-like and relaxed to the outside eye, but I’ve been quietly studying this woman for a long time. She’s stiffer than usual. Is that because her ex is here?
“You must be Cooper.” He approaches and offers a friendly handshake. “From what I’ve heard, you’re putting together a really cracker event, and the bandmates and I are thrilled to be part of it.”
“Thanks. It’s nice to meet you. And thanks for agreeing to do this on such short notice.” From my peripheral, I see Stephanie tapping her toes. She’s nervous. Alyssa reaches over and inconspicuously squeezes Stephanie’s hand, and her foot calms. Alyssa then sends her a quick, comforting smile.
This meeting is supposed to be—according to Stephanie—pretty chill, so I don’t know what’s making my skin prickle.
“We’d do anything for Stephanie. She’s absolute top-notch.
” Chase smiles at her, then he turns to the table and opens up the coffee-shop bag.
“I didn’t know if anyone was hungry. I’ve got danishes, muffins, and an assortment of sweeties.
” Once he gets everything out, he turns to the drinks.
He picks one up and holds it toward Stephanie.
“Are you still an iced white mocha?” She nods and takes the drink but says nothing.
“McKay, you’re straight black, if I remember.
” He slides it over to McKay. “Alyssa, your regular drink is a cinnamon latte, but I didn’t know if it’s something you can have with a little joey bouncin’ around in there,” he gives her belly a little look, “so I also brought herbal tea, orange juice, and a fruit smoothie.” He scoots an entire drink holder toward her.
“Cooper, my mate, I had no idea about you. I got a wide array of beverages for you to pick from—and also brought all kinds of sugars and creams.” He gestures to everything left on the table.
Dang. He seems like a nice guy. I’m not happy about this.
I’m hesitant to reach for anything. “Which one is yours?”
“I already had a protein shake, so I’m good.”
Based on the looks everyone gives him, this is not normal for Chase.
“Yeah, I know.” He puts his hands up to acknowledge the looks he’s getting and then looks directly at Stephanie.
“I’ve made a lot of changes in my life in the last year or so—and this is one of them.
I realized that caffeine first thing in the morning was not doing me any favors.
” Stephanie gives a short, quick nod of acknowledgement, but she says nothing.
I rub my hands together and chime in. “Good for you. Let’s take our seats and get this started.” I wait, hoping to see how the seating arrangement shakes out before I sit down, as my protective instincts aren’t going away. I won’t move until Stephanie does.
Finally, Chase settles into a chair on the side of the large conference table, and as soon as he does, everyone else moves into action. McKay takes the head of the table, Alyssa sits on his right, which is across from Chase, and Stephanie sits next to Alyssa.
I take the seat next to Stephanie. Given our past, I usually opt to give her space, but I’m following my protective instincts today.
I notice Alyssa covertly reach under the table and squeeze Stephanie’s hand again. Stephanie uses her other hand to clutch the edge of her seat and starts tapping her finger, like she does when she’s too excited or agitated to sit still.
She’s been incredibly polite to everyone in the room, but at the same time, there’s a tension in her, and I can’t figure out why. I’ve never seen her act like this before.
Then it hits me square in the chest: I have seen her act like this before.
A lot. But I’ve never seen it from this side.
This is how she always acted around me: the man she thought was a player and cheating on women left and right.
Stephanie’s words from last night come back to me: I don’t have any defense other than that I had just gotten out of a relationship with someone who had a different idea than I did of how many people he should be seeing while we were dating, and I jumped to conclusions. All the pieces fall into place.
Now I have an actual reason to hate Chase Collins.