The One Night(16)

“Wow.”

“You don’t have to sound so surprised. We got married young—I thought she was it for me.”

“Now, I get that. I’m just surprised you haven’t really done anything since you’ve been divorced. One of my mom’s friends got divorced and downloaded Tinder as a fifty-year-old woman just to test out what she’s been missing out on in the bedroom department.”

Cooper pulls on the back of his neck. “Didn’t think I was in the right state of mind to do anything like that. Had to focus on myself first.”

“Makes sense.” I tap the table with my fingers. “So would you say you’re ready now?”

His teeth roll over his bottom lip. “I’m not sure I’ll know what ‘ready’ feels like. I guess if something happens, then something happens . . .”

His eyes connect with mine. I can physically feel my body heat up, starting at the tip of my toes and, like a tidal wave, crashing all the way to the top of my head.

Then something happens . . .

What exactly does that mean? Is he talking about me? Is he referring to tonight?

Do I even want something to happen?

If he wasn’t Dealia’s ex? I wouldn’t have even given it a second thought. I would have already made a move just based on the chemistry I feel between us and the immense amount of attraction I have for him. But with Dealia in the mix, hovering between us like a guilt-inducing ghost, she makes things complicated.

But God, he’s so handsome, and I don’t think I’ve ever had a connection with a man like I have with Cooper right now. If this was a first date—which I know it’s not—I would easily be planning out dates two, three, and four.

He nudges me with his foot, forcing me to meet that steel gaze of his again. “Is dessert still on the table?”

“Um, what . . . uh, what kind of dessert are you thinking about?”

His brow creases in confusion. “You said you know a dessert place.”

“Oh right, yes,” I say as my cheeks heat up.

“What did you think I was talking about?”

“Nothing.” I wave him off. “Just was confused for a second.”

He grins and leans his arms on the table. “Were you thinking I was talking about another kind of dessert?” He winks, and God, it’s the cutest thing ever. So cute that I’m tempted to leap across the table and tackle him with my lips.

This isn’t good.

I’m feeling too much.

My foggy brain is wanting too much.

I should step away now, call it a night.

I shouldn’t take this night any further, but what if us running into each other is supposed to mean something? What if there is something more, and I’m not allowing myself to explore that?

Would that make me a horrible friend?

“The spanking,” I say, pulling away from my thoughts.

“What?” He laughs, the sound so deep, so earthy. Does everything about him have to pull at me now? Does the sound of his laugh really need to make my toes curl? Because it does.

“Uh, the mention of spanking. It put me in a dirty frame of mind.”

“So you were thinking about a different kind of dessert.”

“No.” I shake my head. “I mean yes. Wait, I mean no!” I shout as a light sheen of sweat breaks out on my lower back. I stand from my chair. “I need to make a phone call.”

“Okay.” He chuckles. “Do you want me to leave?” He thumbs toward the door.

“What? No,” I shout again and reach over to touch his arm, just to make sure he doesn’t go anywhere. What is happening to me? Get it together, Nora. “Don’t go anywhere. I just need to take this phone call quickly.” I hold up my phone, flashing a blank black screen.

I’m such a mess.

His eyes land on the black screen, and his brow furrows as they move back to mine. A small smile spreads across his lips. “Okay. I’ll wait here while you take that important phone call.”

“Thanks. Be right back.” I hold the phone up to my ear as I head back toward the bathrooms. “Hello? Oh, hey, one second,” I say to no one, continuing the world’s worst charade. When I reach the bathrooms, I quickly dial up my mom, the only person I can talk to about this, and pace back and forth until she picks up.

“Hey, honey, it’s late, you know.”

“Mom, I need your help,” I blurt.

“Are you in trouble?” Mom’s voice comes out panicked.

“Not the kind of life-ending trouble probably going through your mind. I’m safe, no need to worry about that. More of a moral trouble.”

“Sheesh, Nora. You gave me a heart attack.”

“I’m sorry, Mom, but this has to be a quick call. I have no time to mess around.”

“Okay, what’s going on?”

“Uh, well, I ran into a guy—”

“Oh, praise be to Jesus, my prayers have been answered.”

“Can you not right now? This is serious.”

“Sorry, okay. Proceed.”

“And I know this man because he used to, uh . . . be with one of my friends.” Keeping it vague might be best in this situation. I love my mom, but she’s a gossip, and if she found out I’m spending the evening with Cooper Chance, she would not be able to keep it to herself.