“How are you?” He asked, looking around. “You’ve done a good job here, this is the cleanest I’ve ever seen the place,” he added, sounding genuinely impressed.
“It was clean before, just more organised now,” Cooper called as he walked through the door bare chested with his shirt tucked into his jeans. “I never knew my desk was this big though.” His easy grin directed at my brother made my stomach flutter despite the whiplash I was currently experiencing at his change in mood. He didn’t look my way and again I wondered what had happened between me leaving for dinner last night and now.
“I never knew you were such a hoarder,” I mumbled.
Sebastian laughed, “I could barely walk in this office before. I half expected to come here one day and find him buried amongst piles of inventory.”
“I must admit,” Cooper chimed, “I am enjoying the way my office always smells like mint.” Lifting the mug I just made, he brought it to his lips and took a sip.
“Do you mind?” Reaching for the cup, I avoided looking at both the chiselled chest and his face. There was no way I was ready to play pretend after the way he’d treated me this morning, nor did I want to be in the same space with him right now.
“I don’t know how you drink that shit,” my brother said, thankfully oblivious to any lingering tension.
“It’s good for you,” I replied, “and I love mint.” It was as refreshing as it was cleansing, and I drank at least two cups per day.
“Mum wants us over for dinner soon so consider this your warning.” Seb said, handing me a sandwich just as my stomach grumbled.
“Thank you, I’m starving.” I admitted, ripping off thecling wrap and audibly groaning as I bit into the freshly made chicken and salad delicacy.
“I would have gotten you food if I knew you were hungry.” Cooper admonished quietly, and I forcibly worked to withhold the eyeroll.
“Based on your mood this morning, I didn’t think you would want to be reminded of my presence,” I said with a snarky edge, having had enough of this facade. I glared at him, taking the opportunity to really look at the purplish bruise moving alongside his brow. I was desperate to ask him if he was okay - to run my fingers across the cut and ask who hurt him - only the smirk he was biting back was making it difficult to remember why. I held his infuriating gaze, feeling bolder now I had someone else here and refusing to soften.
“Was wondering how long it would take for you to piss her off,” Seb said, causing my scowl to shoot at him.
“Undeserved rudeness is my number one pet peeve,” I said around a mouthful of bread.
“Mine is people who speak with their mouths full.” My brother retorted, glancing towards a smiling Cooper, before wiping that grin from his face with his follow up question. “Why were you rude to her?”
It was my turn to smirk as Cooper’s frown returned. I was keen to hear this response because despite the hours I’d spent scrutinising everything I did or said, I couldn’t for the life of me work out what I’d done. I knew we’d entered unchartered territory last night, the off-limits passion of the kiss still enough to elicit a spine deep shiver, but Coop wouldn’t announce that in front of Seb.
And Cooperhadkissed me.
He’dpressedmeinto the wall with his ungodly–
“I wasn’t rude,” he finally replied, ripping me back to the present. “I just didn’t sleep well.” He tried, refusing to look in my direction.
I visibly rolled my eyes this time, disappointed with his cowardice.
The man was insufferable with his bare-chested arrogance, andI just didn’t sleep well. I wasn’t going to argue, especially with my brother here, but I also wasn’t going to just bat my eyelashes and play into his game.
If superficial garbage was what he wanted, that was what he would get.
“When exactly does Mum want to have dinner?” Taking another bite, I gave Seb my full attention. I wouldn’t engage with my boss unless necessary.
“Sometime over the next couple of weeks.”
Opening my calendar with the hand not holding my sandwich, I spoke around another mouthful of food. “Yeah, I’m pretty clear. Just let me know.”
“Perfect. I’ll get Marlee to message, or I’ll buzz you both. That good with you?” He asked my astounded boss. I knew Mum was desperate to see us together and loved Cooper as much as she did us, so this was ideal for her.
“Yep,” he answered, his reply holding a little more of his regular charm. “Should be free most nights. We can head over after work.”
This morning he couldn’t look at me and now it was awe. The emotional ping-pong was real and starting to pierce itself under my skin.
“What are your plans for this afternoon?” I asked Seb
“Not too much now but Marls’ booked dinner.”
