6. Blair
CHAPTER 6
BLAIR
I love a good party. And a fall-themed gathering at the home of the affluent Harrison family sounds like a must-do in Maple Falls. The Harrisons own Falling for Books, and of course they know all the important people in town. It’s the perfect place for Cooper to make an appearance, along with some of his teammates. He probably won’t agree, but that’s what I’m here for.
I owe Keira big-time because she was able to get Cooper and me an invitation through her friend (and Dan’s sister), Emmy. I have a feeling Keira is in denial when it comes to Dan. I told her to talk to him, but then again, I probably shouldn’t be giving romantic advice, considering I’m crushing on my client.
I send Cooper a quick text informing him of our plans for the evening.
Party tonight. Be ready at six .
Short, sweet, and to the point. If I ask if he wants to go, he’ll say no. This way I haven’t given him the option. And if he can send the short texts, so can I.
What party? It’s not on the itinerary.
I chew on my lower lip as I type my response.
Since when do you read the itinerary?
My attraction to Cooper is only growing by the day. Even his texts send my stomach into an excited frenzy. Thankfully he’s been so preoccupied with the Ice Breakers practices that I haven’t spent too much time with him over the past few days. Apparently, things haven’t gotten much better for the team. They still haven’t found a rhythm, which is a bit concerning, considering the games are starting in a few short weeks. I’m sure it will come together—at least that’s what I keep telling Cooper. It’s part of my job to hype him up.
My phone buzzes again.
Fine.
I’m sure he isn’t thrilled about this party, but he’ll have to deal with it. It’s my job to encourage him to get out of his comfort zone whether he likes it or not.
I look through my clothes, trying to find something to wear to this party. The temperatures dip in the evenings, and there was even a freak snowstorm a few nights ago.
Tonight’s event will be held in the estate’s massive garden, so I decide to go with a black, fitted, sweater dress and black boots.
Just as I finish spritzing perfume on my wrists, there’s a knock at my door. When I open it, my stomach does a flip. It’s Cooper.
His eyes run over me, and then he shifts around uncomfortably.
“You didn’t tell me what to wear to this thing. I’m not changing, so this better work.”
I have no complaints about what he’s wearing. He looks as dashing as ever in his black button-down shirt and gray slacks that hug his legs to perfection. I catch myself looking at his legs and quickly avert my attention before he notices .
“You look great,” I blurt out. “I mean, great for the party.”
Cooper twists his mouth to the side. “Thanks … so do you.”
We both grow quiet as he lingers in the doorway of my room.
“Are you ready to go?” I ask finally.
“No.”
I shrug. “Okay, we can stay here.”
He raises his eyebrows. Ha. Does he think I’m serious?
“I’m kidding,” I say, sliding my room key into my clutch purse. “Let’s go.”
Cooper holds the door open for me, and we make our way to the elevator.
“It’ll be fun. Don’t worry.”
The Harrisons’ home is unreal. The backyard looks like a scene out of a movie, with fairy lights illuminating the gardens. Music from the live band fills the air, setting the stage for a fun evening. The cobblestone paths are lined with bright purple, red, and orange mums, and there are pumpkins everywhere, giving all the Hallmark fall movie vibes. I quickly snap a few pictures to send to Sophie.
There are tables of food set up on the massive patio, and they are full of every kind of fall-themed treat imaginable.
“This party is so dreamy,” I say to Cooper.
“Sure, dreamy,” he repeats.
“Come on, you know you want to try some of this food.” Without thinking I grab on to his arm to pull him toward the tables. Naturally I’m met with solid muscle, which makes me slightly dizzy. One thing is for sure, Cooper is in tip-top physical condition.
He doesn’t protest my suggestion, so maybe food will help him loosen up a little.
As we browse the selections, Cooper hands me a small plate and our fingers brush each other’s, shooting an electric current through my body. How is it possible this man can make me have such strong reactions with such simple, unintentional acts? We’re standing at a food table in the middle of a party.
“Um, I think I’ll grab a drink first,” he says. “I see my teammate Dawson at the bar.”
He starts to walk away and then stops and turns around. “Can I get you a drink?”
Hmm … a shot of something strong might be a good idea.
“Just a Diet Coke for now,” I say.
He gives a nod and heads over to the bar.
As soon as he walks away, I exhale sharply. I put two pieces of pumpkin bread and a maple-leaf-shaped cookie on my plate. I’ll start with dessert and maybe move on to the shots later. I look around for an empty table, when I spot Emmy from Falling for Books. I need to thank her for getting us an invitation to tonight’s festivities. I’ve already ordered her a fruit basket, which will be delivered to the store tomorrow.
“Emmy,” I call.
She looks over and waves. “Hey, Blair.”
“I wanted to thank you for your help in getting Cooper and me an invitation tonight. This party is amazing.”
“Sure,” she says. “Yeah, the Harrisons like to put on a big production and impress the community. Are you having fun? ”
I spot Cooper standing in front of the bar talking to Dawson Hayes. I know from my hockey research that Dawson plays in the AHL and has a reputation for being quite the ladies’ man. Although, like I told Cooper, you can’t believe everything you hear.
“I am,” I say. “Cooper would rather be anywhere other than a social event, but that’s typical.”
Emmy and I talk for a few more minutes, and then Cooper returns with my drink. We find a table a good distance from the dance floor. I already know there’s no chance Cooper brought his dancing shoes.
I pop a bite of pumpkin bread into my mouth and instantly a burst of pumpkin, cinnamon, and nutmeg reach my taste buds. I’m a huge pumpkin everything fan, and this might be one of the best things I’ve ever tasted. I close my eyes as I savor every morsel. When I open my eyes, Cooper is watching me with curiosity.
“You have to try this,” I exclaim. I slide my plate over to him, and without a word he tears off a small bite. I watch as he chews.
“Well?”
“Very good,” he says. “I should probably get my own plate, so you don’t have to share.”
“I don’t mind sharing with you.”
Wow, Blair. Just say every word that’s on your mind.
Before Cooper has a chance to respond, my phone rings loudly. I totally forgot to put it on silent.
“Sorry,” I say, glancing at the screen to see a picture of my dad and me at Disneyland when I was little. I turn off the ringer.
“Nice picture,” Cooper says pointing to my phone. “You should probably answer that. ”
I shake my head. “It’s okay. I know my dad’s just calling to ask me if I got your autograph for him yet.”
“My autograph?”
I nod. “My father is a big fan.”
I conveniently leave out the part about him only recently becoming a hockey spectator when I got this job.
Cooper’s eyes grow wide. “Really? A fan of me?”
I sigh. “Yep. Every time he calls me, he asks if I’m with you so he can say hi. For some reason he seems to forget I’m in Maple Falls for work. He’s even organized watch parties for the Ice Breakers games.”
I glance around at the twinkling lights, the decadent food, and the guests on the dance floor. Honestly this doesn’t even feel like work. And then there’s Cooper.
“Next time he calls, I’ll say hi,” Cooper offers.
I give him a surprised look. “Really? Thank you. He will be thrilled, and it would help me out with the spam calls.”
“No problem.” His eyes lock on mine, and then he quickly stands up.
“I think I’ll get a plate. Since I have to be here, I might as well eat.”
“That’s the spirit,” I say. “Would you mind getting me more pumpkin bread?”
“Sure.”
I can’t help but watch as Cooper moves through the crowd toward the food—he’s kind of hard to miss. Some of the guests wave to him, and then he’s stopped by two women, who I’m sure would be considered Puck Bunnies.
I learned that term only recently while doing my hockey research. Who knew there was a nickname for hockey player groupies?
I don’t need to be nearby to know they are flirting with him. From here it doesn’t look like Cooper is bothered by all the hair flipping and giggling, and admittedly I feel a twinge of jealousy. Estelle mentioned Cooper had quite a large female fanbase. I just figured that came with the territory, but that was before we came to Maple Falls and before my crush.
After Cooper escapes the Puck Bunnies’ clutches, the girls squeal in delight. Seriously, they couldn’t be more obvious … or pathetic. Well, hello, jealousy.
A few minutes later Cooper returns with two small plates of food. And a third plate of only pumpkin bread which he places in front of me.
“Ooh, thanks.”
“Sorry it took so long.”
I grin. “It’s to be expected. You’re a celebrity here.”
He pops a few roasted pecans into his mouth. “Uh, I don’t think so.”
“I do, and so do those women over there.” I point to the table with the Puck Bunnies who had just stopped him. One of them is now looking in our direction, and if looks could kill.
He rolls his eyes. “No, thanks.”
I couldn’t be more relieved to hear him say this.
“Come on, I’m sure you’d rather hang with some of your biggest fans over your publicist,” I say with a nervous laugh.
“Not a chance.”
My pulse speeds up, and I’m at a loss for words, which isn’t something that happens often.
“Okay,” I say my voice barely above a whisper. “Um, I know you don’t want to stay long, but maybe we can chat with some of the guests and then head out.”
“Yes. Please.”
We finish eating and then mingle with the most important people in Maple Falls. Cooper is on his best behavior, and when he meets the mayor, he doesn’t slip up and call the town by the wrong name. I’d call it a successful night.
When we return to the lodge, I sit down in the lobby to take off my boots because my feet are killing me.
Cooper watches me with an amused expression. “Take those off anywhere?”
“Judge me all you want, I don’t care,” I exclaim as I stand up and tiptoe to the elevator in my socks.
“No judgment here,” he says while we wait.
When the doors open, he motions for me to step inside first.
“You did great tonight,” I say as we climb to our floor. “Sorry I sprung the party on you like that.”
He shoves his hands in his pockets. “That’s why we’re here, right?”
Exactly. Cooper and I are here because he’s playing hockey and I’m representing him. That’s it—nothing more.
The elevator door opens, and when I start to move, my sock slips on the tile. As I lose my balance, my boot flies out of my hand and hits Cooper in the forehead.
He doesn’t flinch as he launches forward and catches me before I hit the ground. His arms tighten around my waist, and I grab onto him. It probably looks as cliché as it sounds.
“I got you,” he says softly. And I let him.
“Thanks,” I say, my grip firmly on his biceps. I’m in no hurry to let go of him.
He helps me off the elevator, his arms still around me.
“I’m sorry about the boot. That had to hurt.” Without thinking I move my hand to his forehead where a red mark has appeared. Our eyes are fixed on each other, and I instantly pull my hand away.
Suddenly he lets go of me and goes to retrieve my boot. “Did you forget I play hockey? I’m constantly getting hit with sticks, pucks, fists—your boot was a welcome change.”
Did Cooper just make a joke?
“Well, I’m glad to hear it. That’s what I get for trying to be comfortable. I should’ve kept my boots on for a few more minutes.”
We walk slowly down the hall to our rooms.
“So, I was thinking of checking out the farmers market,” Cooper says. “Would you want to go? You know, so you can make sure I’m mingling correctly with the townsfolk.”
My heart swells at his invitation, even though I shouldn’t be so excited about it. There is so much inner turmoil happening right now.
“I’d love to go. I told Keira I’d come visit her anyway.”
We approach his room first, and he hands me my boot.
“Thanks again for the assist,” I tease, trying to use a hockey reference. I should probably get used to it since the sport is a major part of my life now.
“You’re welcome.” He pauses. “So, I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Sounds good.” I walk the short distance to my room and look back as Cooper opens his door.
“Good night.”
I exhale loudly as soon as I’m safely in my room. The feeling of Cooper’s arms around me will live rent free in my mind from this night forward. I’m not sure what to do next, but this is not how I expected my experience in Maple Falls to be.