5. Coop
COOP
“This is your car?”
I wish good manners weren’t so ingrained in me. I could’ve left her on the street and been eating my curry puffs by now. Too late. “It is.” He hits the key fob again. “Get in.”
For once, she keeps her mouth shut and slides into the black leather interior. “This is a new model.”
A statement, not a question, so I don’t respond. I program the GPS for the restaurant and put the SUV into gear. The silence doesn’t last long.
“You do enjoy luxuries, just not in your clothes, huh? This could change everything.” She continues to touch the interior with almost reverence.
Stopping at a light, even though I know I shouldn’t, I take the bait. “What do you mean?”
Her smile indicates she knows she won our unspoken challenge.
“You like high-end toys. I bet your house is modern and has a calming curb appeal. Yet, with your old clothes—meaning former, not age-wise, although they certainly qualify—you didn’t convey any of this.
You’re more fascinating than I first thought, Cooper O’Shea. ”
The light changes. “Bully for you.” I concentrate on traffic, trying to put the chatterbox beside me into an imaginary container.
When she realizes I’m not going to give her anymore, she asks, “Have you been to this restaurant before? Or did one of the band members recommend it?”
This is a safe topic. “Actually, Luke told me about it a few years back. The food is impressive.” Her stomach growls again, and I chuckle. “It’s time to feed your stomach so your soul will be ready.”
Nese turns toward me. “Who said that?”
“I just did.” I put my blinker on to enter the restaurant’s parking lot.
She gives another full belly laugh. “Who knew you could be funny!”
My right eyebrow rises. “I wasn’t being funny.” Stopping at the sign, I turn the key fob over to the valet and exit the Rover. Before I can get to the passenger’s side, she has found her own footing on the pavement.
This is going to be a long lunch.
Side by side, we walk to the entrance, and I open the door for her. She approaches the hostess stand, asks for a table, and is told it will be a few minutes. Nese whispers to me, “Why don’t you throw your UC around to get us seated faster?”
I never flaunt my career. “Throw my UC around? What the hell does that even mean? We’ll get a table when one is available.” Leaving her, I find an empty seat along the wall.
A name is called and the person next to me stands. Nese promptly takes his place. “This, right here, is what I was talking about before. The hostess obviously didn’t recognize you, and you didn’t enlighten her. You choose to remain in the background.”
“I didn’t see any reason to ‘throw my weight around’”—I use air quotes around the phrase—“we’ll be seated when it’s our turn.
I know you’re hungry, but I’m sure these other nice people are too.
” I rest for a couple of notes. “And, as for staying in the background, I prefer to evaluate before jumping. So what if it takes a few extra minutes?”
Nese stares at me, open-mouthed. “Holy shit. I think that’s the most I’ve ever heard you speak at one time since I joined UC.”
“It happens.”
“When you find a subject you feel is worthy. Fascinating.” She doesn’t make another comment for once. A text pings and she digs into her purse to retrieve her cell, then clicks the screen several times. She smiles and holds up her phone. “Got this from Jenna. She and Bennett are good together.”
In the photo, Jenna kisses Bennett’s cheek, and he looks as if he could conquer the world.
Good for him. She’s the only person who’s been able to draw him out.
They handled the mess from his high school girlfriend with grace, even if she needed to recenter after her mother died.
Fortunately, they found their way back together.
They have a strong chance of bucking the rockstar life, especially now as she’s the band’s physical therapist.
Since Nese is still holding out her phone, I reply, “I think so, too.”
She refocuses on her cell and soon shows me a photo of my best friend and our former-PR rep, then reads the text.
“Hayden says she’s going to be the administrator for Darren’s scholarship and will be touring with us next month.
This is great! Those two are as unlikely a pairing as they can be, but somehow they’re making it work.
Neither Bennett nor Río appear to be the controlling type. Am I right?”
Controlling? What an odd word choice. “How so?”
“Oh, you know. The sort of guy who believes his woman is there to serve him, who wants to be apprised of what she’s doing all the time, directs her actions and tells her what to believe. Neither of these band members give off that vibe to me.”
Her shoulders raise and her eyes become unfocussed for an extended note. Then she returns to her normal posture. What’s this about? Given how her life seems to be an open book, I doubt she’ll seek my advice. I give her space.
I tuck my sunglasses into the top of my t-shirt. “When you describe it that way, I can definitely tell you no, they don’t fit such a description at all.”
“Good. Then I’m happy for Jenna and Hayden.”
I concur. “As I am for Bennett and Río.”
The hostess approaches to let us know our table is ready now. We follow her to a place near the wall of windows, which sets Nese off in another direction about how gorgeous LA appears.
“Trust me, it’s not all this beautiful. However, I do agree, this is a pretty view.” I pick up the menu and review it while my companion goes on and on about how much she’s enjoying seeing LA.
The waiter comes and I order curry puffs to start, followed by salad with their delicious ginger dressing, and Pad Thai. The server looks to Nese. “Oh. My turn? I haven’t looked, but his order sounds good.” She holds up two fingers. “Double it.” With a nod, he leaves.
“You should’ve told him you needed more time to decide what you want to order.”
“What for? Yours sounded good to me.”
All of a sudden, the weight of responsibility descends. “I certainly think so. I hope you enjoy it.”
She waves her hand. “I’m adventurous. I like to try new things.”
“This, right there, is the difference between us. I prefer to stick to my lane.”
“Where’s the fun in that? Life is meant to be explored!”
The curry puffs come and I pour each one of us tea. For a brief moment, she’s quiet as she tastes the appetizer. She chews it, tilts her head in several different ways, and follows it up with tea. “Yummy!”
For some reason, her decision about the food calms me. “I’m glad you like it.”
When she finishes the small plate, she rubs her now silent stomach. “Thanks for introducing me to something new. I never would’ve known about curry puffs, but for you.” She holds her fist out across the table.
Does she mean for me to bump it? Tentatively, I bring my fist to hers. After we touch, she opens her hand and shakes it for good measure.
“Guess you’re not such an old fart after all.”
I rear back. Río said she was twenty. Is this how all the kids act nowadays? I better get a grip on her age, once and for all. “Stop calling me old. I’m the same age as the rest of the band. What are you? Like ten?”
She raises the teacup to her lips. “I’ll have you know I turned twenty-four on May twenty-fourth, which makes me a Gemini.
Meaning, I possess a dynamic and multifaceted nature, boundless curiosity, intellectual prowess, social charm, adaptability, and versatile communication skills.
” She takes a sip. “All that to say, I’m pretty awesome.
What are you?” She scans me. “Aquarius?”
“What’s wrong with Aquarius?”
“Ah-ha! I was right! You are an Aquarius! When were you born?”
“February eighth.” I’m relieved when our salad course arrives, and dig in.
She sticks the tines of her fork into the salad dressing and pops it into her mouth.
“Oh, this is good too!” She dumps the entire ramekin over her entire plate.
After chewing the lettuce slathered in the ginger dressing, she returns to my horoscope.
“Well, people born under the sign of Aquarius generally lack social skills. It explains a lot.”
“Stop it. I have plenty of social skills.” I spear more salad. “When they’re warranted.”
“I rest my case.”
“Perhaps I don’t want to waste my limited resources on people who don’t appreciate them.”
“Okay. Sure.”
We eat our salads in silence, which makes me feel worse. I degraded into a teenager with her. So not cool. Dropping my fork on the empty plate, I continue the conversation. “What were your plans for UC’s break before Luke co-opted them?”
“You consider what I’m doing helping?” She eats the last bit of her salad.
“Well, I don’t have any clothes, so I have no choice but to admit you’re helping me replace them.”
“Hot damn. Did that hurt?” She stands, leans over, and puts the back of her palm on my forehead. “No fever, so I guess you meant it.”
I swat her hand away and she sits. “Still doesn’t mean I couldn’t buy clothes online and end this charade.” Although, I’d best avoid stirring up any bad blood between UC and the Label. Seems like there’s no choice but to accept her help. I repeat my original question. “What were your plans?”
“Nothing much. I was going to return to my apartment in Gainesville, Georgia and hang out.”
“Is that where you’re from?” I pour us both another cup of tea.
“Yeah.” Her eyes become unfocussed again, then she continues, “I have roommates there, and we could go to different restaurants to complete my Restaurant Bingo card. In Gainesville, I have my favorite clothing shops along with stores and clubs, so I would be able to entertain myself there quite well for the break.”
Her confession eats at me. I’m the one who’s preventing her from being home. “How about your family? Do they live there too?”
“Goodness, no.” She sips her tea. “Dad divorced my mom and got remarried ages ago. I don’t have any contact with him.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Yeah, well. Done and dusted.”
The server delivers our Pad Thai, and all talk about her family is supplanted with comments about how delicious the main course is. Nese holds up a cube of tofu. “What. Is. This?”
I smile. “Tofu.”
“It’s gross. Why ruin such a good meal with it?” She makes a show of corralling all the cubes of tofu in the dish and shoving them over to one side.
“You don’t like tofu. Duly noted.”
Our gazes meet, then she bursts into laughter. I can’t help but join her.
While our plates are being cleared, a new thought hits me. “If you’re not going back to Georgia, where are you staying in LA?”
“I’m in a hotel overlooking the Hollywood sign.”
I pause in wiping my mouth, then deliberately return the napkin to my lap. “You’re staying in a hotel?”
She shrugs. “Both Jenna and Hayden clearly had other plans.”
“Oh shit, Nese. I’m sorry. I’ve been miserable about losing my luggage but didn’t even occur to me to ask what helping me out ruined for you.”
“It’s no biggie. Gainesville is nice enough, but LA is sort of magical. I’m enjoying having more time here. Plus, I get to shop! It’s a girl’s dream.” She offers a huge smile.
“Maybe your dream, but more like my nightmare.” The waiter comes with the check, which I usurp before she even has a chance to touch her purse. Which leads me to another thought. “Is UC paying for your hotel room?”
She makes a face. “Uhm, no. We’re on vacation right now, remember?” She puffs up. “I got it.”
Her show of independence is laudable. However. “You may have the money to pay the hotel, but you shouldn’t have to spend your own cash to help me out. This makes no sense. How much is it? I’ll cover your expenses.”
“You will do no such thing. I knew when Luke explained about the Vanishing Luggage Mystery what I was getting into. Shopping at high-end stores is enough payment for me.”
I absorb what she’s told me. What she hasn’t.
“Still, I don’t feel right about this. If you won’t let me pay for your hotel, how about you stay with me?
Before you argue, I live in a large house with four bedrooms. You can have your own wing, and we won’t need to see each other except when we go shopping.
” My stomach does a little flip, reminding me this isn’t optimal. Yet it’s necessary.
“I don’t know, Coop. What will people say if I shack up with you?” She throws her head backward and laughs again.
Is she laughing at me?