Page 45 of Broken Heart
Oddly enough, Cooper’s request mixed with that soft kiss on my cheek before I walked inside my house had me swooning for hours after he’d left. I was convinced I could still feel the exact spot his lips had touched.
Even if I loved everything about what had happened yesterday, I still didn’t know what to do. So, I was grateful Cooper didn’t press me to give him an answer on the spot.
The last thing I wanted to do was make a rash decision. I didn’t want to wind up in a position where I poured a lot of my time, energy, and heart into someone else, only to wind up with a broken heart again. But it was safe to say I thought it was worth reconsidering the rule I’d put in place for my life about never opening my heart to anyone again.
Besides, it wasn’t as though I didn’t already know that humans needed connection, so how I could have even thought it was a possibility I could go the rest of my life without ever experiencing another romantic connection was beyond me. But I wanted to take the time to be sure I was making a good decision.
For now, I was leaning toward wanting to try again, but I had some fear lingering. In all the thoughts I had when I should have been sleeping, I came up with a plan of action. I wouldn’t do it today, but I believed it would be beneficial for me to find a way to talk to Cooper about my worries.
Considering how he’d been with me about everything, I didn’t think he’d hesitate to sit down, listen to my fears, and do what he could to ease them.
But it was going to have to wait.
Because not only had I not come up with the precise words I wanted to say to him about it, but today was supposed to be all about celebrating his birthday, too.
I pulled up outside my house, ran inside, and dashed from one room to the next to get myself ready on time. I even packed what I’d need if I decided to be brave and put on a swimsuit when meeting Cooper’s family for the first time.
What would ever make you think you’re anything less than stunning, sweetheart?
As I packed my bikini and towel into a bag, Cooper’s words during our drive home yesterday popped into my head. From the start, Cooper had been nothing less than a perfect gentleman. But that conversation had taken a turn I hadn’t anticipated. Despite the underlying edge of disbelief in his tone, he made me feel so good about myself. And I learned that Cooper was not only the kind of man who was willing to protect me in a situation that involved my ex-boyfriend and former best friend, but he’d also protect me from my own intrusive thoughts.
I had just finished getting myself ready to go and had about thirty seconds to spare when my doorbell rang.
I couldn’t miss the way my belly flipped with the excitement I felt about seeing Cooper and getting to spend time with him again.
When I yanked open my door, it took superhuman effort not to launch myself into his arms. But I held myself back, beamed at him, and said, “Happy birthday.”
He smiled, and a hint of laughter was in his voice when he returned, “Thanks. Are you ready to have some fun today?”
“Yes, but is it okay if we take a minute or two longer here?” I asked.
Cooper gave me a nod. “Sure.” I stepped back to allow him to come inside. Then he asked, “Do you need help getting something ready?”
I shook my head. “No. I’m all set to go, but I have two things I wanted to show you.”
“Okay. What are they?”
Something made me hesitate for just a few seconds before I reached for Cooper’s hand, gave it a tug, and led him away from the front door and toward my kitchen. Once there, I stepped slightly to the side, so he could see what I’d wanted to show him.
His features warmed and softened, a small smile playing at his lips. “What’s this?”
“Just a little something I wanted to do for you,” I explained.
Cooper and I moved deeper into the kitchen and came to a stop beside the center island. I picked up the small, wrapped, rectangular box and held it out to him.
As he took it from me, he said, “You didn’t have to get me anything, Skye. This was unnecessary.”
I waved my hand in the air, dismissing his words. “Oh, it’s just something small I wanted to do, especially after everything you’ve done for me lately. Open it.”
Although his words indicated the gift was unnecessary, I couldn’t ignore the light in his eyes as he began to unwrap it. He was excited, and I loved seeing him like that. Cooper removed the paper completely, set it on the counter, and opened one end of the box. He slid out the wooden case, his eyes narrowing with curiosity about what was inside. And when he flipped open the lid, I watched his expression turn from questioning to surprised, and finally, to humored.
Holding the case in one hand, he used the other to pull out the pocketknife. Cooper inspected it, exposing the blade, and ultimately, laughed at the engraving.
“This is really nice, sweetheart,” he said, not hesitating to shift forward to wrap an arm around me to hug me. I hugged him back. “Thank you for this.”
“You’re welcome. I thought it would come in handy occasionally in your line of work,” I explained.
“Yeah, I always carry a knife, so you aren’t wrong about that. But I think what makes this even better is what you had engraved on it.”