Chapter 20 #2
Cooper drove home to Jared’s, reminding himself it was way too soon for a victory celebration.
But she hadn’t sent him away, and that was definitely a victory.
When he’d gotten the text from Gigi to come to Jordan’s ASAP, he’d initially been concerned that something was wrong.
When he’d seen how shocked Gigi was to see him there, he’d quickly realized she hadn’t sent the text.
Jordan had intervened, and he’d be forever thankful to her.
Who knew if he ever would’ve seen Gigi again if Jordan hadn’t gotten involved?
He owed her a dozen roses and a huge thank-you.
It was also interesting to realize that by getting involved, Jordan was signaling her approval of him for Gigi, which would matter to her.
Despite her bravado and devil-may-care attitude, Gigi loved the family she’d created for herself with Jordan, Nikki and Evelyn, and their opinions mattered to her.
He would need to be patient with her and show her, one hour at a time, one day at a time, that she could have faith in him.
His cell phone rang, and he took the call from Jared on the Bluetooth. “What’s up?”
“Did you pair your phone to my Bluetooth by any chance?”
Cooper held back a laugh at Jared’s indignant tone. “Maybe. Maybe not. What’s up?”
“Lizzie wants to know if you’ll be home for dinner. She’s making kabobs.”
“That sounds good. Can I bring a friend?”
“Sure. Which friend?”
“Gigi.”
“No problem. So you guys are, like, seeing each other?”
Cooper glanced in the rearview mirror to make sure she was still behind him. “We are, and I’m hoping it’ll be more than just a summer fling.”
“Is that right?”
“It is.”
“That’s a big move for a little boy like you.”
“Shut up with the ‘little boy’ shit. I’m a grown man, in case you didn’t get that memo.”
Jared laughed. “You’ll always be a little boy to me.”
In the background, Cooper could hear the baby crying. “Any word from the investigator?”
“He might have a lead. We’re hopeful.”
Cooper could hear the exhaustion and stress in Jared’s voice. “I should be making dinner for you guys, not the other way around.”
“It’s fine. Lizzie says we have to get back to some semblance of normal, and she loves to cook. It’ll relieve some stress for her.”
“I wish there was something I could do for you guys besides hope you find Jessie.”
“We appreciate you sticking around. It’s nice to have the company.”
“I’m going to hang with Gigi this afternoon, but if you need anything, call me.”
“Will do. Where’s my car?”
“Pulling into your driveway right now. I’ll bring you the keys.”
“Gee, thanks. That’s awfully good of you.”
“Glad to be of service.”
Jared laughed. “Keep the comic relief coming. We need it.”
“How’s Lizzie?”
“She’s amazing. She is barely sleeping, but she’s so damned serene, as if she’s been preparing for this her whole life.”
“God, Jared, what’re we going to do if you have to give the baby back to Jessie?”
“I have no idea. I can’t even think about it.”
Cooper’s stomach hurt at the thought of that kind of agony descending upon Lizzie and Jared.
“I’m not sure what’s worse, fearing that or living in this awful limbo of not knowing what’s going to happen.”
“They both suck.”
“Yep,” Jared said with a sigh.
As Cooper pulled up to the garage, Jared came outside.
Cooper handed him the keys, and in a spontaneous moment, he hugged his brother. “Wish there was something more I could do.”
Jared patted Cooper on the back. “This helps. Thanks.”
“Any word from Q?”
“Nothing other than they got to Ireland okay.”
“Lucky dog.”
“Took him a long time to take the plunge. I hope they enjoy every minute of their honeymoon.”
“I’m sure they will.”
Gigi drove in and parked next to the Porsche. “How’s it going, Jared?” she asked when she got out of the car.
“About the same. Still looking for Jessie and taking care of the baby in the meantime.”
“I give you guys all the credit for what you’re doing.”
“We’re doing what anyone would.”
“That’s not true,” Gigi said, a fierce edge to her tone. “Most people would’ve turned the baby over to the system. You’re not most people.”
“Thanks,” Jared said with a weary sigh. “You guys have a nice afternoon. I’ll see you at dinner.”
Gigi glanced at Cooper.
“They invited us.”
“Shouldn’t we be making them dinner?”
“That’s what I said, too, but Jared said Lizzie wants to do it.”
“What can we bring?”
“Not a thing. I did a grocery run this morning and picked up wine. We’re all set.”
“Thanks for having us,” Cooper said.
“We’re looking forward to some adult time.”
“Sounds fun,” Cooper said.
“I’d better go check on Lizzie. See you in a bit.”
As he walked away, Cooper noted the unusual curve of his brother’s shoulders as he held up the weight of the world.
“I feel so bad for them to be put in this situation,” Gigi said as she led the way upstairs to her place.
“I do, too. It’s awful and wonderful at the same time.”
“I need a shower. Make yourself comfortable.”
Cooper followed her into the bedroom and pulled his T-shirt over his head and then dropped his shorts.
“Wait a second. I said no nudity.”
“If I keep my boxers on, that’s not nude.”
“This,” she said, waving her hand at him, “is too close to nude for comfort.”
“Don’t worry. I won’t let you have your wicked way with me. This is sleep only. Go take your shower. I’ll be waiting for you.”
She let out an aggravated sound and slammed the bathroom door behind her.
God, he loved her, and yes, he knew that was crazy, but how could anyone not love her? She was amazing and funny and sweet and so wounded that she didn’t even know how to let someone love her. He was determined to show her something so good, she’d want to keep him around forever.
They could be happy together. He knew that.
How he knew it, he couldn’t say. It was one of those things that just was.
It couldn’t be explained or rationalized or easily described in words.
All he knew for sure was he needed to be with her.
If he could make that happen, the rest would fall into place, or so he hoped.
Ten minutes later, she got into the other side of the bed, wearing a long T-shirt that landed midthigh, leaving the rest of her legs on display.
“Is snuggling allowed in this nap?” Cooper asked.
“Absolutely not.”
“Oh, come on. That’s not fair. I agreed to your no-nudity clause, but you never said anything about snuggling.”
“That’s for couples. We’re still a fling.”
“No, we’re not. You gave me a promotion earlier to boyfriend status.”
She looked over at him, eyes flashing with anger, and he’d never wanted her more. “When did I do that?”
“When you didn’t kick me out.”
“How does that make you my boyfriend?”
He rolled onto his side and moved closer to her. “If you didn’t want me around, you would’ve kicked me out.”
“I was sparing your feelings. That’s the only reason I let you stay.”
“Are you sure about that?” he asked, placing his hand on her abdomen.
She tried to push it away, but he stayed firm.
“Don’t. No touching.”
“Yes, touching.” He slid his hand from her belly to her leg and dipped under the hem of her T-shirt.
“Cooper…”
“Shhh, just relax and get some rest.”
“How am I supposed to rest when you’re doing that?”
She’d broken out into goose bumps that gave him tremendous satisfaction.
“What am I doing?” He ran his fingertips up her inner thigh, intentionally avoiding touching her anywhere she’d deemed off-limits.
She squirmed, trying to get closer to his hand, but he denied her. “Cooper.”
“Yes, Gigi?”
“Knock it off.”
“You still haven’t told me what I need to knock off.”
“Touching me without touching me where I want you to.”
“You told me I couldn’t!”
“Since when do you listen to me? I told you to go away, and here you are, mostly naked in my bed!”
“You’re sending some seriously mixed signals. Do you want me to touch you or not? And if you do, you need to say so, because I don’t touch without permission.”
“I want you to touch me.”
“Where?”
“Everywhere.”
“I thought you wanted to sleep.”
“I’ll do that after you touch me, and go easy, because that big thing of yours made me sore.”
Cooper rocked with silent laughter. “You’re a piece of work, Gigi Gibson.”
“Believe it or not, I’ve heard that a few times before.”
“I believe it.”