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“Yeah. Need to grab some dinner and then get back to the hotel.” I hadn’t talked to him much before I left this morning. I was in a hurry and I’m still not sure what protocol is when you’re a house guest at your ex’s brother’s house.
“Where do you want to go? My treat.”
“You don’t have to do that. You did enough letting me stay at your place.”
“Nah. I’m keeping an eye on you. Kind of like a personal bodyguard.” He flashes one of his charming grins, and my heart kicks at the sight of it.
“Oh, I see. Going to take bullets and throw your coat down on puddles for me?”
“Little short of coats this time of year, but if it’s needed, it can be arranged. Maybe a jersey toss. Got a couple of extras in the bag. That work for you?” He pats the bag at his side and glances at me, a smirk forming.
“I’ll have to think about it.” I grin. Something about Cooper just makes me feel light. The second he’s at my side, I forget everything I should be worrying about.
“So dinner…?”
“I feel like it’s gotta be West Field if we’re down this way. Don’t want to betray Wren by visiting the local competition.”
“We could do that, but I’ve got my truck. I can drive you to one of my favorites if you want. You like BBQ?”
“It’s been a bit, but yeah, I like BBQ.”
“All right. There’s a place off Montgomery. It’s a little bit of a drive, but worth it. You up for it?”
I tap my fingers against my laptop bag. I should be going home and doing some of the brand research I need to get to. Not to mention vetting the list of local businesses Madison and I are working on for collaboration opportunities with Quentin. But I do need to eat dinner.
“All right. I can’t stay too long though. I’ve got some work I have to finish tonight.”
Before I know it, we’re halfway through dinner, where he’s managed to make me sample half the things they have on the menu in a bid to convince me it’s some of the best BBQ there is.
“It’s good. Definitely better than anything in Seattle when it comes to the pulled pork and the ribs. But the salmon… You need to come to Seattle sometime so I can show you what good salmon tastes like.”
“Deal. Just let me know when we’re making the trip. Maybe before the season?” He grins as he leans back against his chair and sips his beer.
I laugh at his eagerness and shake my head.
“The only time I’m heading there, I’ve got my brother’s engagement party to host. Which will be an event.”
“I imagine, given his reputation, it’s going to draw quite the crowd.” A small smirk plays across Cooper’s lips.
“That, and my parents’ need to let everyone in their orbit know one of their children is finally getting married.”
“Excited for a sister-in-law? Is she a good one?”
“She is. She’s lovely, and she adores Xander. I think I’ll like having her around.”
“That’s good. Don’t want to be stuck with an annoying one at the holidays.” He grimaces.
“Hey now…” I raise my brow at him.
“Not you. You would have made a good one. The current prospect though… not loving her.”
“Ah.” I nod, not knowing what else is appropriate to say because I’d rather not chat about Rob any more than necessary, so I change the subject. “So did Lizzy buy our story? I hope she wasn’t totally weirded out that I stayed at yours.”
“No, actually she loved having you. She and I were talking, and that guest room is open most of the time. My parents don’t come visit very often, and if they do, there’s a whole suite downstairs they usually stay in because there’s a small kitchen and a big couch for my dad to spread out and watch sports on.”
“I can see that given how protective he was over the den at the lake house.” I smile thinking about his parents. I miss them. That’s the shitty part about breakups: you lose the family you like too.
“But the guest room. It’s open. It’d be cheaper than a hotel. Safer too. Plus, you’d make Lizzy’s whole life this summer if you were around to chat and play games with her…”
