by Amanda Ashby
“I take it you know him?” Coop walked back toward her, closing the space between them. He put the box down and studied her face. Pepper winced. So much for having a poker face.
“Only by reputation. He’s friends with Carl Ritzman, of Ritzman and Unger.”
Coop rubbed his chin, his dark eyes never leaving hers. “One of the law firms you tried to interview for?”
“No. They’re based in Chicago, but after the last incident with Paul, I’m starting to think I only have two options. Sue him or move towns.” Her mouth went dry as the words formed. It was the first time she’d spoken her options out loud. Hell, she’d hardly allowed herself to even think about them. But, as Coop’s words floated into her mind, she knew it was time.
You might love Seattle but does it love you?
For so long her world had been based on moving back to where she was born. To where she’d been happy. But if Paul’s visit had proved anything, it’s that nothing was going to change unless she made it happen. And where would that leave her? Stuck in Sunshine working as a wedding planner.
“And I’m guessing Aaron Unger is the other named partner. What about Katrina Geust?” Coop studied his cell phone.
“She’s at Smith and Mackenzie, which is based in New York. Are you saying that they’re all going to be at the party?” Pepper caught her breath.
“According to this,” Coop said as he held out his cell phone. She had to step closer to inspect the screen, which resulted in her shoulder brushing his arm. Fireworks exploded in her chest, sending her adrenaline into overdrive. She steadied herself and read the screen. Morgan Breton’s annual Diamond and Tiara Ball is hoping to raise even more money for charity than in previous years, with well-known philanthropists all flocking to his New England estate. Names include…
Pepper’s eyes blurred at how many influential people would be there. If ever there was a sign she should extend her job search, this was it. It was like the mountain was coming to her. Pity it’s going to miss me by a few miles. She bit her lip and edged back from the cell phone and from Coop’s closeness.
“Well, you’re going to be in good company,” she said as she picked up the discarded box and hurried toward the barn, her breath causing a funnel of steam as she walked. “And if Morgan’s invited you along, he must be impressed with your business potential.”
“I guess. It’s just meant to be an informal way to meet some of his managers before we sit down and talk figures,” Coop said as he caught up with her and plucked the box out of her hand like it contained feathers not cut glass vases they’d filled with flowers. He put it down and then stood in front of her, as if expecting her to try and weave past him. “Could these people give you a job?”
Hell, yes.
“It’s hard to say. You know how these things work.” She tempered her breathing while reminding herself there would be other opportunities to speak to them. As soon as Paul called off his vendetta, she’d be able to set up her own meetings. She didn’t need to be jealous of Coop and the opportunity that had fallen into his lap.
“I have no idea how they work. I’ve always flown solo. A lot less networking,” he said. “But Pepper, if these people can help, you should come along.”
Really? That would be amazing. But bad. But so amazing.
“What?” Pepper stiffened. How was it that he kept being the key to getting her life back? And while it was tempting to say yes, she wasn’t sure the fallout would be worth it. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“Really. Tell me. If anyone else offered you the chance, would you say yes?”
In a heartbeat.
“Coop, it’s not that simple.” She licked her lips and wished she could dredge up some of her famous reserve. “I don’t want you to think—”
“What? That if you go with me I’d expect you to owe me? Let’s just be clear on something. I’m not sure what games Paul played with you, but I’m not him.” His eyes flickered with emotion. “I think you should come along and see what happens. Not because of any kissing or manhandling. Just because I want to help you.”
Pepper shivered.
She wasn’t used to asking for help. Not from her sisters, not from Paul, and especially not from Ben Cooper. But this opportunity was just too good to pass up. One that the young Pepper would’ve jumped at.
“I’d love to go with you.” She dared to herself to look at him before something else occurred to her. “What are the chances that we can go without my sisters ever finding out?”
“About six million to none,” he assured her. “But if it’s any consolation, I’m sure they’ll eventually stop teasing us about it.”
Pepper gulped as she headed out of the barn to collect another box. Her sisters would probably forget but she wasn’t sure she would. And the fact that this was the second time he’d been there for her left an unsettling sensation in her stomach. Still, the ends justified the means. Something she’d do well to remember.
…
“You could’ve told me about Pepper, you know,” Bec said on Friday evening as she handed him a bow tie before sitting back on the bed and crossing her legs.
He would’ve preferred to get ready on his own, but Bec had cajoled him to going to the bed and breakfast she and Lincoln were currently renovating. It was under the pretense of wanting his advice about wallpaper but the reality was so she could continue giving him the third degree as he got ready.
Still, he didn’t mind. They’d been friends ever since she’d found him gutted after a particularly brutal trip to the hospital where Simon had his roughest night yet. She’d patted his arm, nodded her head, and told him it sucked. It sucked so bad there wasn’t even a word for it. Then she’d told him the one thing no one else ever had.
That Simon might die.
She hadn’t said it to hurt him—far from it—but more because she had no filter between her mind and her mouth and because she understood the odds. Her own parents were both dead from a car accident. Bad things happened to good people every day. It had a profound effect on him and he became an expert at making the most of things.
Because if Simon might die, if Bec’s parents could die, then it meant not a moment should be wasted.
“Told you what part?” He gave the bow tie a final tug and turned away from the mirror to face Bec and her mulish expression. She was hurt he’d kept a secret from her. He didn’t blame her. In his defense he’d never quite found the perfect way to say “Hey, Bestie. I’ve had a massive crush on your sister. Oh and my parents are about to go bankrupt.”
Yeah, I should probably work on it a bit more.
“All the parts,” Bec said as she helped him put in the cuff links he’d brought with him. “There, you look lovely.”
“I’m not sure lovely’s the look I’m going for.” Coop sat down next to her and tugged at the tuxedo. He hadn’t worn it since he’d attended a cancer fundraiser a couple of years ago. He seemed to recall he’d won a year’s worth of manicures in the silent auction as well as getting dumped by his girlfriend at the time who went to great pains to assure him that, “no, it really is you.” He just hoped it brought him better luck tonight. For his parents’ sake.
“Okay, you look handsome. I mean about my sister. If you were going to ask her to go with you to the party, why didn’t you just say?”
“Because you would’ve checked my temperature and then made several hundred jokes, probably at her expense and it would’ve ruined any chance I had,” Coop said and then laughed as he watched Bec open her mouth to deny it before shutting it again. It wasn’t the first time they’d had the conversation since she’d discovered Pepper was going to accompany him.
“Okay, I probably would’ve made a few jokes, but not because I don’t love her—or you. I just want to know what’s going on,” Bec said before she scrunched up her face. “You’re not going to tell me, are you?”
“Not so much.” He stood up and planted a quick kiss on her forehead. “A magician never reveals his
tricks.”
He could hardly tell her what had happened with Paul, which is how their strange new relationship had started. If that’s what they could call it. He wasn’t even sure if there was a name for what was going on between them.
But whatever it is, I want to find out where it ends.
“Ah, so it was magic.” Bec got to her feet and followed him out of the spare bedroom of the bed and breakfast, which was filled with packing boxes and a large painting of a clown Lincoln had refused to keep. Coop couldn’t blame him. “I told Lincoln that’s what it must be.”
“And Lincoln told you to stop meddling in things that aren’t your affair,” a deep voice said and a tall guy stepped out into the hallway. Bec immediately let out a squeal and threw herself into his arms.
“You’re back. When did you get here?” she demanded after she kissed him thoroughly. Coop turned away. While he was happy Bec had found the man of her dreams, watching them make out wasn’t exactly his idea of a good time.
“About five seconds ago.” Lincoln carefully put Bec down, though his arm still trailed protectively over her shoulder. “How are you, Coop? I’ve been hearing all about this new finance deal. Sounds very promising, let me know if you need a hand.”
“Oh, good thinking. Then you could grill him about Pepper at the same time.” Bec smiled in approval.
“Sure. Or I could just help him with the finance deal,” Lincoln said as he gave Coop a slap on the arm. Coop grinned. He hadn’t been sure about the English guy his best friend had fallen for, but the more time he spent with him, the more he could see they were sickeningly perfect together.
“If the deal does go through, I’d definitely appreciate picking your brain,” Coop said, which earned them both a mock sigh from Bec.
“I’m starting to regret ever introducing the pair of you,” Bec complained. “Anyway, we need to go downstairs. They should be here any second.”
“Who’s they?” Coop blinked as they walked toward the staircase. “I pick up Pepper in ten minutes.”
“Change of plans. Emmy’s driving her here.”
“But—” Coop started to protest but cut himself off as the front door opened and Emmy stepped in, closely followed by Pepper. His mouth went slack. Pepper’s brown hair, which was normally pulled away from her face, was hanging in soft curls down her back, while her eyes were rimmed with dark liner and her lips were a soft berry color, absolutely perfect for kissing.
He caught his breath as his eyes trailed down to the dress.
Normally, Pepper hid the lines of her body in sensible business suits but there was nothing sensible about the dress she was wearing. It was cobalt blue and hugged her waist before caressing her hips and shimmering down to the floor, while the neckline was slashed leaving her chest to do shocking things to his imagination. Coop swallowed hard. She was as dazzling as the long diamond earrings hanging from her lobes and the tiara in her hair.
“Well, I’ll be.” Lincoln said from somewhere beside him.
“Pepper, you look so freaking hot.” Bec let out an excited yelp.
“Don’t be ridiculous.” Pepper frowned, the only sign she’d even seen him was a slight tilt of her neck. His pulse hammered.
“Trying to get Pepper to take a compliment is like trying to teach Bec to stand still,” Emmy said as she held up her cell phone and waved Coop toward them. “Now, come on you two, I want a photograph.”
“Emmy, this isn’t prom,” Pepper complained as Coop reached her. “Like I’ve told you both, we’re just going as friends.”
“And I’d like to take a photo of you as friends.” Emmy gave them serene smile and Pepper clenched her fists. Coop would’ve laughed if it weren’t for the faint hint of her perfume caught in his nose, sending his pulse into overdrive. If he moved any closer to her, he might be tempted to do something stupid. Or amazing. Then again, if he didn’t step closer, both of her sisters would continue their teasing and Pepper would most likely murder someone.
I’m doing a pubic service.
“Okay, fine. One photo, but then we have to go,” Coop said, forcing himself to wink, like it was a joke. He plucked the coat from her hands and put it on the old reception desk, and put his arm around Pepper’s shoulder. She stiffened under his touch, which let him know nothing had changed.
If only my body would get the same message.
“Beautiful.” Bec joined them with her own cell phone held high. “And now—”
“And now it’s finished,” Pepper cut in with a business-like voice as she hitched the trail of her dress up and walked over to retrieve her coat. The desk was piled high with color charts, power tools, and a handwritten note telling all the contractors if there was any noise before ten in the morning Bec would personally kill them.
Coop reached for his own coat and held out his hand to Pepper. “Come on Cinderella, your carriage awaits.”
Pepper gave him a dark look but didn’t say anything as they headed out into the night on what potentially could make or break his chance to help his folks.
Chapter Five
“I was going to collect you from the farm,” Coop said as he held open the door of his car. Last time she’d seen him, he’d been driving a corvette and letting Bec drive his second car, but right now he seemed to be favoring a sensible ten-year-old Cadillac. Still, she had other concerns.
The first one being he looked amazing in his tuxedo.
As in scoop me up off the floor amazing. Pepper fiddled with her seatbelt. It could be a problem. Especially the way her eyes kept returning to his chiseled chin or the smooth lines of his shoulders.
I didn’t think this through.
It was one thing to let him help her, but it was another thing that his face was all planes and angles, casting shadows on his face and turning her stomach to liquid.
“Yes, well Emmy and Bec had other ideas. They’re finding this whole thing hilarious,” Pepper said in a dry voice. “And let me guess, Bec was trying to pump you for details?”
“Trying being the operative word.” Coop shut her door and then walked around the car. The headlights were on, leaving him silhouetted against the cool December night, Pepper’s mouth went dry. It was like the universe was teasing her by blocking out the rest of the world and only showing him. The guy who sees me as someone who needs rescuing. “Apart from mentioning all the kissing we’ve been doing, I didn’t tell her a thing.”
“Your discretion is legendary.” She shut her eyes and leaned back against the seat. The unfamiliar softness of the dress that had seemed appropriate when she’d tried it on, was now like tissue against her skin. Oh god. I’m practically naked.
“Everything okay?” He slid into the driver’s seat, filling the space, reducing the family vehicle to no bigger than a matchbox. Heat prickled her skin.
“Fine.” She forced herself to stare ahead as the engine fired into life.
“Okay, and by the way. You look…great. I probably should’ve led with that.”
The compliment caught her off guard. “Oh. Thank you. There’s limited shopping in Sunshine, this belonged to my mother. I can’t believe Emmy kept it all this time,” she said, once again wishing she’d chosen something a bit less revealing. Her only excuse was she seemed to have temporarily lost her mind when her sister had shown it to her.
I just need to stay focused and keep him on task. And definitely not look into his eyes. Because that would be bad. Besides, it was just one night. She could get through it.
“I see.” Coop once again seemed amused at her answer and she decided to ignore it. They made the rest of the trip in silence until he slowed down and a huge private residence came into sight.
It was sprawled out on manicured grass, visible from the numerous lights flanking the driveway. A valet immediately came to take the keys, an unimpressed expression in his eyes as he drove it away to join the herd of luxury vehicles at the far end of the yard. Coop didn’t seem to notice as he held out his arm to her.
Pepper h
ad to bite down on her lip to keep herself from pushing it away.
“I guess we should get this show on the road,” she said as they stepped through the door.
…
Two hours later, Pepper allowed herself to smile as she looked around. The giant house was a combination of minimalist style and maximalist budget, which meant lots of slate flooring, sharp modern furniture and deceptively simple lighting, which served as the perfect backdrop for the glittering people in attendance. If Paul had been with her, he would’ve been taking notes for the renovations on the house he’d chosen for them.
Without bothering to ask my opinion.
Also, if Paul had been with her, he would’ve worked the room, not taking time to talk to those people he deemed beneath him. Probably what had earned him the reputation of being ruthless.
Coop’s approach was a lot less bullish. Though, as she’d watched him move from group to group, she had to acknowledge his warm, more casual approach to networking was just as effective. Chatting about vacations in Maine, Norwegian cinema, and the sweet potato stout he’d brewed last month, nothing seemed to faze him. In other words, he was just as charming as he’d ever been.
Even more of a surprise, he’d accompanied her when she’d searched out Carl Ritzman and had happily supported her as she introduced herself. The three of them had ended up having a prolonged conversation about fly fishing before the discussion had turned to work. Coop had discretely excused himself as she and Carl talked about her career—particularly the work she’d done for a biotech client who’d recently acquired a gaming company for their talent pool. By the end of the conversation Carl had told her to call first thing Monday about a position in their head office.
When one door closes…
Her smile faded as a booming laugh caught in her ear and she glanced over to see Coop was deep in a conversation with Morgan Breton’s accountant. Pepper stiffened. She’d immediately pegged the accountant as the bad cop of the business. The enforcer. So why the hell was Coop holding up his cell phone to show him something?
