Chapter 28 #2
“She’s happy with you,” Nikki said. “Anyone can see that. The problem for her is she doesn’t know what it’s like to be truly happy, so she’s resisting it out of fear of everything going bad and ruining the life she’s created for herself.”
“Strangely enough, I get that,” Cooper said. “All I want to do is make her happy. I already told her I’d never hurt her or let her go if she takes a chance on me.”
“It’s freaking her out that she can’t find any good reason not to take that chance,” Jordan said.
“She feels things so deeply, and she’s been burned by that in the past, starting with the parents who couldn’t have cared less about her even as they said all the right things and two idiots who convinced her they were madly in love with her when they were only in love with themselves.
She’s learned to be wary when people make big promises. ”
“I mean every word I’ve ever said to her.”
“And she knows that.” Nikki squeezed Cooper’s arm. “Now give her the time to decide for herself that she wants you in her life.”
Cooper heard what they were saying and even agreed with their advice, but how in the world would he find the patience to stay away from her when he wanted her more than he’d ever wanted anything or anyone?
He hung out at the Wayfarer until the party wound down shortly before midnight.
Chloe hugged and kissed everyone, thanking them for helping her turn thirty in style before she left with Finn.
Cooper drove home by himself, which wasn’t how he’d expected this evening to end. After parking in Jared’s driveway, he glanced up at Gigi’s apartment, which was dark. He walked toward the house and noticed a spark of light on the pool deck. “Jared?”
“Yep. Join me for a smoke, brother?”
Though he desperately wanted to be alone with his thoughts, Cooper walked toward his brother and took the seat next to him, along with the cigar and lighter Jared handed him.
“Any news from the mainland?” Cooper asked when he’d lit the cigar and taken a few puffs.
“Looks like my wife and I are going to be parents by this time tomorrow.”
Though the statement was delivered in a low-key manner, Jared’s elation came through in every word. “That’s great, Jared. I’m so happy for you guys.”
“Thanks. Nothing’s signed yet, but it’s looking good. Jessie has acknowledged that she’s not equipped to give the baby what she needs. We’ve agreed to an open adoption that would allow her regular visitation.”
“Seems like a best-case scenario.”
“We think so. Now we just have to hold our breath until tomorrow, when Jessie signs the agreement. Then a judge has to sign off on it, which will take a couple of months, during which she can change her mind. So we’re not entirely home free, but closer than we were.”
“Cripes, that’s stressful.”
“Yeah, but in the end, we get a daughter out of it. Violet Catherine James, who’ll be called Vi.”
“That’s beautiful.”
“Couldn’t help but notice you came home alone.”
“Yeah. Gigi broke up with me.”
“Really? Didn’t see that coming.”
“Neither did I. They finish filming on Monday and are scheduled to go back to LA on Tuesday. Jordan and Nikki say she’s freaking out about the summer ending as this thing with me has become more serious than expected. They say I need to give her space to come around on her own.”
“What do you think of that?”
“They know her better than anyone.”
“Waiting and hoping puts you in a tough spot.”
“Yeah, it sucks.”
“I remember what that’s like. The weeks after I thought Lizzie turned down my proposal were among the worst of my life. I thought I was never going to see her again.”
“I can’t picture one of you without the other.”
“Now, but there was a time when that was hardly assured. This stuff is hard, bro, and for some people, it’s damned near impossible for them to take the leap and keep the faith.”
“That’s the problem Gigi’s having. She’s had a lot of hard knocks, so she’s super cautious.”
“She hasn’t been with you.”
“That’s part of the problem.”
“I agree with the advice Jordan and Nikki gave you. Take a step back, and let her come to you. If it’s meant to be, she’ll be back.”
“And if it isn’t?”
“Then you’re going to experience serious heartache, and it’s gonna suck.”
“Already does, and this just happened two hours ago.”
“Hang in there, bud. I’m sure you’ve done all you can to show her how it could be between you guys, and if that’s what she wants, she’ll be back.”
“I hope so.”
“I do, too, but I have to say, it’s good to know you’re mortal after all.”
“Haha, very funny. I’ve been waiting for you to remind me I had this coming.”
Jared’s low chuckle made Cooper smile for the first time in hours. “How’d the meeting go with the McCarthys?”
“Better than expected.” He told Jared about the wedding package deals the family was thinking about offering and how his business could be included.
“That’s awesome. You can’t pay for that kind of free publicity.”
“I know, and Mr. McCarthy’s friend Ned Saunders talked to me about getting involved in some real estate investments, too.
Apparently, that’s been his main hustle for forty years, and he’s looking to take a step back and spend more time with his family.
He needs someone who might be interested in stepping into that game. ”
“That’s an incredible opportunity, Coop. He’s made a fortune buying and selling houses on the island.”
“I find that funny since he drives a cab.”
“He does that for fun.” Jared took a puff of the cigar. “So your day didn’t totally suck.”
“The first half was pretty awesome.”
“Hang in there, brother. Gigi knows by now that you’re a good guy. Give her time to think about it, and try to have some faith.”
He’d give her the space she needed even as he worried he might’ve lost her forever.