This was our dance. Always asking each other to share our thoughts, as if we wouldn’t be brave enough otherwise.
“I never hear you coming when you’re wearing your Docs,” he replied, pointing to my favourite shoes.
“That’s the point. They’re stealthy and lethal if needed. Just like me,” I joked, my smile lifting when his laugh bellowed out.
“Do you boys want anything?” He asked the team he’d just been chatting with and when they all declined, he wrapped his arm around my shoulders and walked me outside. His easy grin remained, as did his arm, until we were out of sight of anyone at work. The distillery was in an industrial area, but there was a laneway of restaurants close by which people travelled for and were always being promoted on social media as the places to be. The variety and quality were second to none and some days the choices were so plentiful I couldn’t decide. Thankfully, today I didn’t have to as Cooper clearly knew what he felt like, leading me into one which made delicious pastries.
It was packed, one tiny table for two left in the corner which I pointed at. “Want to grab the table and I’ll get your usual?” I asked, already knowing he would want the steak and potato pie. Handing me his wallet, he headed over to the table and I noticedat least three sets of eyes following him as he sauntered over looking all Brad Pitt in Thelma and Louise. All those admirers were likely thinking the same thing I was as a little jealousy flared in my bones - get in line, ladies, he’s also funny and thoughtful.
Huffing a sigh, I tapped his wallet against my palm looking at the display. It was cute he always handed me his money like I was going to use it. He was already paying me a premium and wouldn’t let me contribute financially at home so lunch was the least I could do.
After scrolling my phone while I waited for our order, I headed back to the table with our tray, surprised to see Jack and Win parked across from Cooper. I quickened my pace, excited to see them, before realising this was not actually ideal. These were our friends, and they believed we were a freshly engaged, absolutely smitten couple. A test I had not studied for. Shit.
“Hey, guys,” I greeted, realising with Win sitting on Jack’s lap in what should have been my chair, there was nowhere else for me to sit. And Coop’s knowing grin told me he also knew where this was going.
“Evs!” Win said as she stood and waited for me to place the tray on the table before she reached for my hand. “Where’s the ring?”
“Oh, it’s being uh - cleaned,” I lied, with a quickhelp meface at a still smiling Cooper.
“Already?” Win said confused, before retreating to bury herself back onto Jack’s lap.
“Hey, Evs, congratulations and sorry we interrupted your lunch.” Jack said and I waved a hand dismissively.
“Thank you. And don’t be silly, we always love to see you guys.” I deflected, standing awkwardly at Coop’s side wondering how the hell I was going to get out of this and how swiftly we’d turned into an us.
“What do you feel like?” Jack asked Win, both looking towards the counter while I shot myfiancéa scowl. Thank God it wasn’t Arna or Felicity; they were bloodhounds and my ringbeing cleaned would not have gone over so smoothly. At least Winter wouldn’t pepper me with too many questions because Jack was only just back from an away game so she would be too focused on him.
“Where am I going to sit?” I asked discreetly, while our unexpected guests were still busy deciding on food.
Rather than answering, Coop pulled me down onto his lap in a surprisingly gentle move considering the speed with which he manoeuvred me.
Holy fudge cakes!
He slipped an arm around my waist and drew me closer, whispering into my hair.
“Is this okay?”
“No,” I said over my shoulder, and I felt him chuckle behind me.
“You need to relax,” he said, bringing his other hand around to tap my thigh. “We are in love, remember?”
I could hear the grin in his words, and I desperately wanted to loosen up. To appear as carefree and at ease as Win was with Jack, despite how different our circumstances were.
“How could I forget?” I mumbled, just as Win stood, letting Jack out to order.
“So, how’s the internship?” She asked the second she sat back down, and I reached for my pastry to keep my hands busy. Part of me wondered if it was better or worse I hadn’t been prepared for this spontaneous pretend you and your boss are in love acting session, considering I was entirely rigid and still hadn’t answered her question because of how distracted I was at the way his thumb was grazing my thigh.
“Really good,” I answered before clearing my throat to buy myself more time. “Although, sometimes this guy can be quite distracting.” I tipped my head back and felt Coop’s arm around me tighten and his chest press closer to my back as he sat up a little taller.
“I’m a distraction?” He teased, “You weren’t complaining in your office the other week.”
My cheeks flamed and Winter threw her head back laughing. Thoughts of our almost kiss flashed through my mind as I shot Cooper a narrow-eyed glare.
“I can’t believe I was shocked,” Win said, preventing me from physically hurting my still smirking boss. “You guys are perfect.”
“Who’s perfect?” Jack asked, placing their food down.
“These two.” Standing she waited for Jack to sit before again mirroring how I was currently sitting on Cooper’s lap. “I was saying how I was shocked when you first told me they were dating, but I shouldn’t have been. They’re perfect together.” Sighing, she leaned back into Jack who pressed a kiss to her shoulder.
