14. Blair
CHAPTER 14
BLAIR
T he people of Maple Falls know how to party.
I caught glimpses of it at the Harrisons’ Fall Celebration and Maple Fest, but tonight it’s only magnified. Even the gossipy ladies from the book shop are having fun. Of course the residents have a lot of reasons to celebrate. The Ice Breakers win has insured Happy Horizons Ranch will get a massive donation, thanks to the team and Zach Hart’s generosity. It brings tears to my eyes when I think about how those children’s lives will change.
The Rustic Slice is super cute and the perfect place for the team wrap party. It’s like an old-fashioned restaurant you’d find in Manhattan where everyone treats you like family. Even Cooper is having fun, though he’d never admit it. That is until some people begin singing “Ice Ice Baby .”
“Why?” he groans. “Of all the songs in history, why did they choose this one?”
“Hockey, ice—it’s pretty obvious,” I tease.
He scowls. “I get it, but it’s one of the worst songs in history.”
I giggle. “Well, I’m glad you suffered through it. At least it wasn’t a full season. Could you imagine hearing that song for months on end? Game, after game. You’d never be able to get it out of your head.”
He cringes. “No. I can’t imagine.”
I shrug. “I guess that’s one good thing about our time in Maple Falls drawing to a close.”
He silently nods. “I guess so… Anyway, how long do we have to stay at this thing?”
I make a face. “Oh we can leave anytime— I just figured you were having fun, so I didn’t say anything.
His mouth drops open. “I’ve had enough fun. Let’s make a run for it before anyone else starts singing the Vanilla Ice song.”
“Okay.”
Cooper practically races for the door, and I’m right behind him.
When we walk into the lobby at Hawk River Lodge, we’re met with another group of Ice Breakers fans. I guess the celebrating is happening all over town. They all immediately start chanting Cooper’s name when they see him. He looks surprised by the cheering for him.
“Sit and join us for a drink,” a man in a Roberts jersey shouts.
Cooper glances at me, and I nod my head. The publicist in me knows he can spare a few minutes for some fans, even though I really want to spend some alone time with him.
Cooper reluctantly sits down and chats with them about the game and his plans moving forward .
I listen as he talks about returning to Tennessee and rejoining the Wolves. I still can’t believe our time in Maple Falls is almost over. It seems like it was just yesterday I met Cooper at the airport. I was so focused on proving I could fill Estelle’s role as his publicist. I think I accomplished that goal, and then things took an unexpected turn.
After fifteen minutes Cooper begins shooting me glances. I think his social battery is officially drained. He signs a few autographs, and then we make a quick run for the elevator before we’re stopped again.
“I know it’s getting late, but I was hoping we could hang out for a bit,” Cooper asks as we walk down the hall toward our rooms.
“Sure,” I exclaim. “I just need to change first. Do you want to come over in about ten minutes?”
“I’ll be there.”
As I freshen up, I’m a bundle of nerves. This is the conversation Cooper and I have been waiting to have. There are so many questions. What happens now that it’s time for us to go home? Will we keep our relationship professional or try to balance work and more?
I throw on a cropped Taylor Swift T-shirt, yoga pants and brush my teeth—just in case.
My stomach does a flip when I hear a knock on the door. I take a few slow deep breaths and go to answer it.
Cooper doesn’t waste any time scooping me up in his arms and lifting me off the ground. He doesn’t say anything, but I’m learning that Cooper has a way of expressing himself without speaking. He’s wearing blue athletic pants and a plain white T-shirt that could’ve been specially made for him. The man’s body is so impressive.
I bury my face in his chest, memorizing how it feels to have his arms around me in case this is one of the last times .
“Finally,” he says, letting out a huge exhale.
I laugh and lead him to the couch. “You just saw me ten minutes ago.”
When we sit, I turn to face him and fold my legs under me.
“Yes, but we’ve been stuck with the whole town for hours. I was counting the minutes until we could leave.”
“The wrap party was on the itinerary,” I remind him. “And I’m proud of you for being so engaging with the fans.”
“Thanks.” He clears his throat and pushes a strand of my hair behind my ear.
“So,” I say.
“So...”
“I guess we can’t put off this conversation any longer,” I add with a nervous laugh.
“Yeah.” He shifts around. “Blair, the last few weeks with you have been great.”
My heart sinks. I’m not sure what he’s about to say, but this could go either way. If he only wants to maintain our professional partnership, I’ll understand. It’s not what I want, but it might be the best thing in our situation.
“I agree.”
My stomach twists into knots as I wait to hear what he’s about to say.
“I had no idea what to expect when you took over for Estelle. Honestly, I didn’t think you’d put up with me for very long.”
“I told you I wouldn’t give up that easily.” I place my hand on his arm. He reaches up and puts his hand on top of mine.
“I’m not good at the emotional stuff,” he continues. “So, I decided a long time ago I would focus on the one thing that made me happy—and that was hockey. Seeing you in the stands cheering for me and our team was the greatest feeling. Knowing you were there to support me meant everything.”
“I love watching you play,” I admit.
He sighs. “When I texted Estelle earlier, I told her that coming here has changed my life.”
My pulse picks up slightly. “Well, you put your life on hold for a great cause. I imagine that feels very fulfilling.”
He nods. “That’s part of it, but mostly it’s changed because of you. You push me to get out of my comfort zone and to do better.”
“I just give you a little nudge …”
“I need it,” he insists. “I need you … in my life. As my publicist …”
There it is. This is fine?—
“And as my girlfriend.”
What? Without warning I jump into his lap and press my lips against his. He follows my lead, our kiss growing more urgent. His hands move from my face, through my hair, and then tighten around my waist. When our lips slow, he touches his forehead to mine.
“I know we still need to figure out how to balance everything, but I …” He pauses, and a worried look washes across his face.
“What’s wrong?”
He draws in a deep breath. “I’m not sure how to do this, so I’m just going to come out and say it … I’m in love with you, Blair. I know it’s only been six weeks and I’m taking a chance by telling you this, but I can’t hold it in…”
Those are words I didn’t expect to hear him say, at least not yet. I was fully prepared for Cooper to take his time expressing his deepest feelings, and I was going to be patient with him .
“All this being said, I understand that this could be a huge risk for you professionally. I don’t want to put you in a difficult position so if it’s too much I’ll understand. This is unchartered territory I know nothing about.”
“I love you too, Cooper,” I blurt out.
The corners of his mouth curl up into the biggest smile I’ve ever seen on his face. While I hope the world will eventually see this wonderful, vulnerable side of Cooper, I also love that he reserves it especially for me.
“I can’t believe I’ve fallen in love in Maple Falls,” he exclaims. “I wonder what the press will say about it.”
I gasp loudly. “You called it Maple Falls. You finally got the town’s name right. Well done.”
“This place has grown on me,” he admits. “Maybe I’ll come back someday.”
“Yes,” I squeal. “I’ll put it on the itinerary.”
He scowls.
“Sorry, but as your publicist I need to continue to manage your schedule.”
“Fine. Just make sure you leave me time to be with my girlfriend.”
I flash him a wicked smile. “Oh, don’t worry. I’ve got that covered.”
Cooper lifts my chin and gently kisses me again, sending tingles through my body. Is this real life? I have a job I love and a man who told me I changed his life. It doesn’t get much better than this.