Chapter 12
Eva
“You ready?” Coop asked, and I stood, stretching through the aches of hours spent on the floor.
I’d managed to sort through quite a bit of inventory today though my mind kept drifting back to yesterday’s surprise catch up with Win and Jack which led to a rare mix up where I spent half an hour putting overdue invoices into the tax receipts folders, before having to go back and fix it all.
The office was now more organised, the clutter organised into piles, but there were still weeks of work to do here. With an aching back and neck I could barely feel, I was more than happy it was time to go home.
“I could use a shower and a heat pack,” I said, craning my neck from side to side.
“What about a beverage with my parents instead?” He asked with clear mockery, and I smiled.
“Oh, shit that’s today!” I sighed, reaching for my headphones and purse and following him out.
“Did you want me to cancel?” He asked, sounding far too excited.
“No,” I lied. “Let’s just get it over and done with.” The longer I put it off, the worse it would be and the more nervous I would become.
“It’s actually nice to have someone else feel my pain.” He smirked. “Think you’ll be able to act better than you did yesterday?”
“Excuse you, I was fantastic,” I teased. “Win said we were perfect, remember?”
“How could I forget,” he grinned.
“You just wait, husband-to-be, I’m going to act the crap out of this.”
“Husband to be, boss, roommate, lover.” He whispered, my cheeks flaming when he shot me a knowing wink over his shoulder, and I halted.
“I’m only joking, Evy, just playing the part,” he said with a laugh, and I did my best to maintain the jovial nonchalance of someone entirely unaffected by his ruggedness.
His leather riding jacket swung over his shoulder in a look which again reminded me of a character from The Outsiders.
After today, there was no doubt in my mind I needed to thank my Year 9 English teacher because I was a Greaser groupie, and this look was doing it for me.
He smelt of leather and masculinity and it was annoyingly satisfying.
When he reached for my hand, I locked my fingers in his, leaning into him in a habitual movement which was feeling easier with everyday which passed.
Our hands swung as we walked through the aisles of barrels as he gave me a quick run-down on his parents.
“When are you going to tell me about all of this?” I cut him off as I swirled my free hand around, gesturing towards the pallets of aging whiskey.
“I’m surprised you haven’t already hit me with a list of questions,” he said and I inhaled quickly in mock horror.
“Are you implying I love a questionnaire,” I challenged.
“That’s exactly what I’m implying,” he replied, before his laugh echoed around us, making me grin.
“Entirely fair, there is nothing that makes me hotter than a multiple-choice quiz,” I sighed, judging myself for my preferences.
“Noted,” he said with a smirk which I felt below my waist. “My fiancée is such a nerd,” he added playfully, and I grinned.
“You’re just jealous. Nerds are so 2025, you should get on board, biker boy,” I gibed, poking him in the ribs as we stepped out into the sunlight of the afternoon.
“Are your parents going to expect me to be wearing a ring?” I asked, the thought appearing from nowhere.
He shrugged, before passing me my helmet. “Probably.”
“Well, what are we going to say? Maybe we can just tell them we’re having it cleaned like I told Win.” He was far too calm for someone about to meet the firing squad, lacking the same urgency I was feeling.
“We’ll sort something out when we get home.” Pretending his use of home didn’t curl around my heart, I focused on my confusion.
“Have one lying around from an ex-girlfriend?”
“Something like that,” he replied with his signature grin.
Ugh, how anyone could look that good all the time was beyond me.
“What time will they be there?”
“Four and they’re always on time.”
“Of course they’re coming at four,” I said more to myself. “What time is it now?” I was already wondering if I would have time to shower and change.
“Time for you to get a watch, Evs. You ask me that same question no less than five times a day.” He challenged.
“Maybe I just like to ask questions,” I threw back.
“We both know you love to ask questions. Here,” he said, handing me a mint green leather jacket he’d retrieved from under the reception desk. “Got you one of your own.”
“You bought me a jacket?” I asked dumbfounded, not only at the gesture but at the way it made my tummy feel swirly. I held it up before bringing the leather to my face and inhaling deeply.
“Is that another question?” His grin broadened.
“Don’t you know the answer to that already?” I smirked, before pressing the aesthetic jacket to my nose again and taking another whiff.
“Oh, wow,” I breathed. “She smells so good.” It smelt like those midnight secrets which saw my face in my pillow and the other stuffed beneath me as…
“You like it?” Cooper asked, drawing me back to the present.
“Are you serious? I love it! And I will most definitely be paying for it. Thank you so much.”
He rolled his eyes, taking it from me.
“Here,” he helped me into the sleeves, spinning me around and fastening the zipper and buttons, before smoothing the sides.
I spun exaggeratedly, happy I’d worn jeans and boots now that I had this gorgeous jacket to go with it. “Do I look like the fake fiancée of someone who rides a bike?”
He cleared his throat, nodding quickly. “Unfortunately, yes,” he mumbled, and I grinned.
“Excellent. Let’s go have a beverage then,” I said playfully, snuggling in behind him on the bike in an act which was becoming a little too effortless for two people playing pretend.