"Sure. I will mention that I'm not real sure I want to sell. It's hard to give this home up and I may have a reason to stay in town. So, if this is going to waste your time, I completely understand if you want to wait until I know for sure. Either way, I've got some remodeling to do before I sell it." He’d hate for her to put too much work into it until he made up his mind.
She smiled. "You're not wasting my time. How about I check around to see what I'll be working with, and if you decide to go ahead, then we'll get everything else started."
"Alright, just follow me. Be prepared for a mess. I plan on getting the hardwood waxed and see how it looks before I decide if I want to replace it. Then I know for certain I'll be repainting and will replace the cabinets and countertops in the kitchen area. The roof will need to be done and the outside will be repainted too. This is my only obligation at the moment, so I'm hoping to be done with it by December." Leaving him with only two months to go.
"That's a lot of work, but I know it'll look great." She touched his arm.
It didn't take long to walk through the house. She took notes on her tablet and took pictures along the way. He noticed she was a touchy feely person, which he didn't care for. If she'd been Sophia, he'd have killed for her touch, although maybe not when he was sweaty and dirty from working.
"Everything is great. If you're able, I would suggest changing the light fixtures too and the gold faucets. The floors just look like they need waxing, like you said. People will love this if you put it on the market. I don't think I'll have any problem selling your home once you're finished. Just give the go ahead and we'll get it going." She touched his shoulder and left it there a little longer this time.
Cooper stepped off the stairs to break the hold and hopefully give her the message that the meeting was done. "I do have a question. What is the best restaurant outside the town to take a girl on a first date?"
He might've read the signs wrong, but if she thought he was seeing someone, then maybe she'd stop the flirty gestures.
"Hmmm…" She tapped a finger on her lips. "You could go to Arabella's. Just go North on 25, take exit seventy-two and it's about a mile to the right. Great food and it's quiet. You may want to call for a reservation, but you can usually get in the day of or next day."
"Thanks. I'll check into it." He shook her hand this time, since he’d washed his hands, and then waved when she pulled out. After she was gone, he searched for the restaurant on his phone and called them for a reservation. Luckily, they got him in.
Time to get ready and pick Sophia up.
Chapter Sixteen
Sophia stood at the door, ready to go and wanting to throw up at the same time. It was good luck that none of her brothers were home. She walked into the living room and glanced out the window again.
Most girls would still be getting ready, but she'd been ready since she got home from his house. A date with Sebastian Cooper. Crazy she felt so shocked to go on a date with a man she'd already slept with. It couldn't be real.
She glanced down at the dark jeans, boots, and light orange V-neck top. What if it wasn't the right thing for where they were going? She should've called and asked him.
The doorbell rang and she jumped. His truck sat out in her drive, but she'd completely missed him pulling up.
Okay, Sophia, you can handle a date. Even one with the hottest man you've ever met and the only guy you've loved. No big deal.
She opened the door, even as his hand rose to knock.
"Sorry. I didn't hear the bell, so I just figured I'd knock." He didn't look at her face; rather, his gaze started from her chest down to her boots.
The way his Adam's apple jumped when he swallowed made her smile. She cleared her throat and held in her laughter when his blue eyes jerked back up to hers. "You ready?"
It was hard to tell with his skin already a little red from working in the sun, but she could almost see a little blush on his cheeks and neck.
"More than ready. You are beautiful as always."
Damn it. He caused her to blush too. "Thank you."
She kept to herself the fact that he was beautiful too. How could he not realize how perfect he was? There was no missing the short crisp hairs peeking at the top of his solid dark green shirt that he so casually left with the top three buttons undone. It was a tease and he knew it.
Then his tight jeans. She shook off the thoughts. Nope, not going there.
He turned to the side and offered his arm as she locked the door. "Let's get going."
Sophia jumped when he grabbed her hips to help her into the truck. Then she couldn't help but grin when he apologized and seemed just as nervous as she. Unbelievable how the strong, handsome man in front of her seemed shy and nervous, acting almost like a teenage boy on his first date. Or at least that's how she imagined they would act. She never really dated when she was younger.
He shut her door and walked around his side to get in. When they were driving away, she watched her home since she was a baby grow smaller in the side mirror. It was stupid to be so tense and too scared to say anything. Oh God. Look at me, out on a date with the only guy I’ve ever loved and he’s going to realize just how boring I am.
What did she do? He was a singer and well-traveled, while she just worked as an assistant for her brother at the family construction business. She still lived at home with her brothers and didn't have plans to move out or do anything different with her life. Ryan was really her only friend and even he would move on without her one day.
She didn't want to move out of the town she loved, but who in their right mind would want to be with her after they realized she had no plans of doing anything different. No wonder Seth had cheated on her.
She clicked the button on the door when the air became too thick to breathe. A panic attack? No she didn't have those. Not since that day a long time ago when she woke up to find out Cooper had left.
"Sophia?" His hand landed on hers and squeezed.
The small gesture and the worry in his voice sent a wave of calm through her and she started to breathe normally again. It would be okay. He was there and she was with him.
It took her a few moments to be able to speak. "I'm sorry. I think I let my mind go a little too far into the what if's."
****
Cooper wasn't sure what happened, but he was about to pull the car over when Sophia's breathing seemed to speed up and her face turned pale. All the color was back and he couldn't help wondering what she'd been thinking about that got her so worked up. He wouldn't ask her. Tonight was about them and him doing everything he could to win her heart.
"I hope you don't mind, but I picked a restaurant outside of town. I know how this small town can be and that you'd know everyone and I'd probably know them too." He pulled into the nearly packed parking lot and backed into an empty spot.
"Why would you think I'd care about people seeing us?"
The hurt in her question made him realize how his statement sounded and how she may have taken it. "Shit, Sophia. I didn't mean to make you think I would be ashamed if someone saw us together. I know people thought I went crazy when I left town. It wasn't true. Truly, I wasn't sure you'd want to be seen with me and I was told this is an excellent place to eat."
He hated that she even thought he didn't want to be seen with her. If he could, he'd show her off to the whole damn world. Maybe he should've told her that, but didn't want to scare her with how strong his feelings were.
"Oh."
He jumped out of the truck and walked around to open her door.
She grabbed his hand when he offered and cradled it with her other one. "I never thought you were crazy."
Well, crap. He said he wouldn't kiss her, but after the way she gleamed at him with so much passion and trust, he had to. She didn't move as he leaned in and pressed his lips to hers. He kept it brief or he'd never stop. The taste of her was too damn addicting. "You're the most amazing, real person I know, Sophia."
When her cheeks heated and
the earlier conversation was forgotten, he grabbed her tiny waist and helped her out. It was really hard not to stare down her shirt, but so easy to fall into her eyes, which were more green than blue right then.
"You know I can get out of a truck on my own. I drive a jeep that's jacked up just as high." She smiled up at him and he laughed.
"Oh, I know. I'll take any chance I get to put my hands on you."
It was so fun to make her blush bright red. She didn't say anything else as he took her hand and led her inside the restaurant.
The brunette hostess looked up at him, then Sophia, and back to him. "Hi! Did you have a reservation?"
"Yes, for two, under the name Cooper."
"Got it! If you'll follow me, I'll lead you to your table." She headed off to a booth in the back corner and laid out the menus on the table where two sets of silverware were already set out. "Justin will be your waiter for tonight. Enjoy!"
"Thank you." Once the hostess was out of sight, he leaned on the table. "She sure was perky."
It was a joke, but Sophia didn't seem amused. He knew when to drop it. The young waiter that came to the table had blonde hair combed to the side. He smiled big at Sophia. She seemed completely oblivious. Cooper wasn't.
"Hello, my name is Justin. What would you like to drink while you search the menu?" He glanced once at Cooper and then his eyes stuck on Sophia.
She bit her lip with indecision. "A Sprite please."
"I'll take water." His words came out a little louder to get the guy to take his eyes off of her.
"Alright, I'll be back with your drinks." He hurried off.
"What's wrong?" Sophia's brows pulled together and she tilted her head a little, causing a strand of hair to fall in front of her eyes.
He grabbed the strand between his fingertips and tucked it behind her ear. "Nothing. Everything's perfect."
"Okay." She propped her elbows onto the table and rested her chin on her fist. "So tell me about your music."
It wasn't exactly where he wanted their conversation to go, but he needed to be honest with her if their relationship was going anywhere.
"Do you remember when I was injured and out of football my last year of high school?"
"Yes. The team wasn't the same without you."
"Damn right, but they still managed." He winked at her and then continued. "I was a little depressed and my grandpa gave me his old guitar and told me to quit moping and do something with my free time."
She laughed. "I can hear him saying that. They were both the best."
"They were. I don't think they expected me to love it as much as I did and they probably didn't think I'd start singing too, but once I got used to the chords and making up my own music, the words came too." He cleared his throat when the waiter sat the drinks in front of them.
"Are you ready to order?"
Neither of them had opened the menus. "We need a few more minutes, please."
He nodded and went off to another table.
"I guess we should figure out what we want." Cooper opened his menu but couldn't stop watching Sophia as she studied the offerings. "You see anything you like?"
"I think the Hawaiian chicken sounds really good. What about you?" Her gaze lifted to his and she closed the menu.
"That sounds good. I think I'll have the same." When the waiter walked by, he waved him over. "We've decided."
"Awesome! What would you like, Sir?"
Cooper told him what he wanted and waited for Sophia to do the same, so the guy would leave again.
"Back to what you were saying?" Sophia wasn't about to let it drop.
"I never thought about doing more than playing music for myself until right before my grandma passed away. She made me promise to keep playing and set a goal to make career out of it. I don't think she realized how hard that is nowadays."
She grabbed his hands and squeezed. "I think she knew you and that you don't give up on what you believe in."
It wasn't what she meant, but the words stung a little. After ditching her years before, it did seem like he was the giving up type. Or maybe just a chicken.
The food didn't take long and they both ate in silence until it was time for dessert. He was so stuffed he just looked at Sophia to see if she wanted any.
"I couldn't eat another bite. Everything was so good; I didn't leave anything on my plate."
"We'll just take the check."
"I'll be right back with that for you."
After he paid the bill, they both got up and headed past the bar toward the door.
"Cooper?"
He stopped when a hand grabbed his arm. It was Michelle.
"I thought that was you. I guess you took my advice on a good restaurant." She smiled big until her gaze jerked to his side. The sound of her voice changed, sounding ice cold. "Sophia. Nice to see you again."
Chapter Seventeen
Sophia felt sick just seeing Michelle touching Cooper. No one knew that the girl she found Seth with was the woman in front of her, and she wouldn't tell anyone, but it didn't mean she had to like it. And she sure as hell could be pissed that she acted as if she'd done nothing wrong. The way she smiled at Cooper just added fuel to the fire.
He wasn't Seth. Not even close.
It still hurt to see him smile back at her even when his hand grabbed Sophia's and drew her close.
"We were just heading out. It was nice to see you again." He didn't say anything else as he pulled her along with him. When they made it out the door, he leaned in and kissed her cheek. "She's a little full of herself. Don't you think?"
That brought a smile to her face. God, that made her feel so much better. Spinning around in front of him, she grabbed him by the ears. He looked surprised until she kissed him. Then nothing mattered but his lips moving against hers and the way his tongue slipped between to join hers. She groaned and slid her hands up his neck to play with the hair at the back of his head.
He pulled back and shook his head. "You're going to get me in so much trouble kissing me like that in public. I can't control myself around you."
"Sometimes that could be a good thing." She felt the heat on her cheeks when she realized what she’d said. It seemed she couldn't control herself around him either. "We should get going."
He clicked unlock on his key and opened her door. "I'll let you get in by yourself. I can't trust myself to touch you right this second."
He was serious. Not even a small smile on his lips showed otherwise. She hopped in and let him shut her door. They kept silent during the drive back and she couldn't help being nervous about what he planned next—if he’d planned anything at all.
She wanted so much more than his kiss. The one night they’d spent together was not enough. That thought put some water on the fire. How could she sleep with him when he didn't remember that they'd already been together?
She couldn't. Not yet. She had to tell him the truth when the time came. It was wrong to keep it from him, but what if it upset him that she hadn’t told him already or that he didn't remember? He could think he’d done something wrong. Or worse, he could think she took advantage of him. And maybe she did. They were both drunk and she was the one who initiated it.
Damn it. She couldn't tell him yet and she had to postpone from sleeping with him or anything else until she could bring herself to.
"What's on your mind?" Both of his hands gripped the steering wheel as he kept his eyes on the road.
She couldn’t tell if he was upset or trying to control himself. It made her feel almost irresistible that she pushed his restraint.
"Nothing that matters." She knew it was wrong, but seeing him that way made her want to see how far she could push it before he shattered.
With a second of hesitation, she lifted the center console and slid over until her hips pressed against his, then she rested her hand middle ways up his thigh. His sharp intake of breath had her biting her bottom lip. The plan wasn't to do anything more than touch his leg, but she didn't listen to
her own advice to keep things slow and started drawing random symbols on his thigh.
The muscles in his leg tightened and she peered up at his face to catch him biting his own lip. He didn't move either hand from the steering wheel. If anything, she swore the leather creaked under his hold and his knuckles turned white.
She never felt so in control in her entire life—like she could do whatever she wanted and he'd let her. It gave her a little courage to slip her hand slowly up his leg, until she saw her house in sight. He was taking her home and not slowing one bit.
That was enough to burst her bubble. Pulling her hand back, she started to slide back over to the passenger side.
A strong grip around her wrist had her freezing and looking over at him. He pulled her right back to where she’d been and jerked her in for a kiss that destroyed any other thought forming in her mind.
He nearly had her back pressed all the way down on the seats before he lifted away. "I had to drive to your house. If for one second I got you to mine and alone, I don't know if I could stop myself. I want this to be perfect and there's no way I'm going to sleep with you after our first date. You're so much more than that."
All she could do was nod and when he let her up, she jumped out of the truck and hurried to the front door. Nick and Mike's vehicles both sat outside and she started to panic that they could've seen what happened until she glanced back at the way Cooper pulled in. He had done so at an angle that no one could've seen from the house. She was safe from the embarrassment and he was safe from her brother's wrath.
After she watched him pull away, she contemplated going inside but changed her mind. It was sweet for him to want to take things slow and she really thought she wanted to same thing. She was wrong. All that consumed her mind was the need to walk to his house and tell him exactly what she wanted.
She'd drive her jeep if it didn't mean going inside to face her brothers first. Rather, she'd walk, and it would maybe cool her off just enough so she wouldn't just jump him right away. Not that doing so sounded like a bad idea.
Lost Chances Page 10
