4. Katrinia
4
Katrinia
A s the barista brings out our roasted hazelnut lattes, I just got the same thing as Luna not having the brainpower to even place my own order, Luna finally asks, “So how do you know Cooper?”
I look out across the street at the tattoo shop and think of how I can answer this question. Do I say:
We grew up together
He’s my best friend’s brother
Hell he was my best friend too
We used to date
He took my virginity
I thought he was the love of my life
He was the only man I ever let break my heart
When I turn my gaze to the posed almond blonde with steel colored eyes watching me intently I cop out and go for the easy answer.
“Umm, like Theo said we grew up together,” I finally say after what feels like an eternity. Choosing the road with the least resistance.
“Clearly.” She raises a brow, grinning over her mug as she takes a sip.
I give her a hopeless smile back, shaking my head. Luna doesn’t seem like a normal boss. Her presence isn’t judgmental or threatening. Quite the opposite actually. Her presence is warm and her energy is kind. She definitely has a yellow aura. Like a sunflower.
“Is this going to be a problem for you? Do I need to pair you with another client and look for a replacement?” She asks between sips.
“I’m not fired?” I look over at her curiously. Is she really not going to fire me after all that?
“No, of course not. Trust me far worse has happened and this is life. Neither of you knew what you were walking into today.” She reaches over and places her hand on my arm for a brief moment.
Luna seems like a great manager, I already know. I’ve had some really shitty ones over the years, so I can at least tell she is nothing like them. I don’t want to mess up a good thing just because of my own drama.
Maybe Willow was right and I’ve let Cooper take too much from me already. It might be time to finally take back my life and stop simply surviving in the shadows of the pain he caused and really start living.
Looking across the street at the La Trinia Tattoo sign, I see the siren wrapping herself around the letters differently, and it makes my heart skip a beat. But instead of getting caught up in wishful thinking I push all feelings aside.
“I can do it.” I say and say again with a little bit more conviction for good measure.
We finish our lattes and head back across the street to the shop. I hear the bell above the door chime for the second time this morning and the shift in attention is palpable as both sets of eyes lock on us.
“Kat?” Luna looks at me questionably and I nod for her to go on using the name I gave her. It’s how I’m known now. A new name for the new me. The first thing I shed from my old life. “…has decided to stay, if that works for you Cooper.”
Cooper nods, not taking his eyes off me and I can feel his stare scorching my body as he takes me in like he’s never seen every bit of me before. I shift on my feet under his scrutiny and his eyes snap to mine before Luna speaks again.
“Alright then, let me show you where you can set up.” She leads me to the office at the back and when she shuts the curtain the temperature is instantly cooler and I feel like I can breathe again.
Chemistry was never a problem between Coop and I. If I’m being honest that was one of the only things we ever did right.
We’ve always been like two magnets being pulled to one another. Even as children we always enjoyed each other’s company over everyone else’s. His presence was one of the only places where my mind slowed down and my thoughts were quiet. He was my peace.
Later when we stopped fighting what we were to each other I would drown myself in him, in us. We orbited around each other while he constantly reminded me that I was his entire world. I really believed that I was until his world got bigger and I became just another star in his sky.
A second later he yanks back the black curtain separating the combined storage room and office space from the large open shop and the fog of my long forgotten memories clear.
“Can I talk to you?” His voice thunders, and it comes out more like a command than a request.
“Cooper,” Luna warns softly, barely above a whisper.
“Please Trin. Just give me a minute.” His tone turns to pleading and if there was ever anything in the world I could never resist it’s Cooper’s hazel eyes and Cadbury dairy milk chocolate.
“It’s alright,” I tell Luna as I step past Cooper and head towards the front door. I hear his heavy steps following behind me as I become so acutely aware of him. It’s like my body remembers him and it’s thrilled to be back in his presence. My head however, completely disagrees.
Once outside I whip around and fold my arms across my chest. “What do you want Coop?”
He grabs my hand and drags me around the side of the building. When he stops I yank my hand back as he runs his hands through his hair. Sucking in a deep breath like he is struggling.
“Did you know?” He spits out the question like an accusation.
“Did I know what?” I snap.
I’ve never been good at being mad at him but I have eight years of suppressed feminine rage I’ve had locked up tight just itching to be released from its cage fueling my sour mood.
“Did you know this was my shop?” He clarifies, as his eyes bore down into mine.
“No, of course not. I wouldn’t have been so caught off guard if I knew.” I point out, throwing my hands up in the air. Not meaning to raise my voice.
“And now…?” He steps closer and I take a step back.
Looking into his eyes, I get lost in the hurricane of thoughts and emotions raging inside of them. He takes another step towards me and I retreat. My back bumping up against the wall as he takes another step forward boxing me in.
He is so close I could touch him but I wouldn’t dare. I can’t go down that road. Not again. I know how that story ends. We are fire and gasoline. Toxic and destructive. Dangerous to ourselves and everyone around us.
His hand slams against the wall and I suck in a sharp shallow breath.
“Cooper,” I whisper and his eyes fall to my lips for a heartbeat before they are locked on mine.
I fight my hands to stay at my sides. Resisting the overwhelming instinct to touch him. Knowing if I did I wouldn’t be able to stop. I can’t look at him anymore. I close my eyes and he sighs before pushing away.
“You’re really staying?” He asks, and I can see the torture etched into his face.
“I don’t have to if this is too complicated.” I fiddle with my hands as I look down to the ground knowing I need this job before I end up homeless and buried alive in student loan debt. I don’t have time to start up a new job hunt before rent and bills are due. My savings will only last me so long.
“Fuck complicated Trinia. Of course I want you to stay.” He says before he closes the distance between us and crashes his lips into mine.
His fingers thread into my hair, gripping the nape of my neck and I feel like I lose all sense of myself in his lips. His hips pin me against the wall as I grab his face, kissing him back. Moaning as he tilts my head back, his tongue collides with mine and before I lose all rationality I grab onto the last sliver of common sense I have left and push him away.
Our heavy breaths fill the alley as I finally get a grip and stomp away.
“God dammit!” I shout before heading back inside the shop.
Cooper doesn’t follow me. Instead Theo walks out the door and after taking one look at me pushes past.
Fuck he knows.
Theodore always knows.