I clap my hands over my mouth. I’ve never told anyone about the half-written romance novel on my laptop.
“What happened?”
“Nothing happened.” That was the problem. “I got busy, and it seemed silly to waste time on something that would never see the light of day.”
“Let me get this straight,” he says, a devious smile curving his lips. “You wouldn’t give up on the Virgin Quest come hell or high water, but you quit writing because you didn’t know if your work would ever be published?”
It sounds stupid when he puts it like that.
“No, I just thought—” What had I been thinking? “It just seemed unrealistic. Telling people you want to write novels is like saying you want to make it as a musician or a dancer. No one would ever take me seriously. Least of all my parents.”
So, basically, nothing would change?
Stupid voice of reason.
“Anyway, I can’t afford to pin my college career on making a living as a novelist.” Truth. The student loans won’t pay themselves and I have no interest in moving back home. “My parents dealt with all this,” I say, gesturing to myself, “for eighteen years. They don’t need me bringing my mess home to crash on the couch after graduation.”
Coop scoffs. “You make it sound like you’re a burden.”
“Did you forget the story about the golf cart? Because—” I pause. “Actually, forget all about the golf cart.”
No need to remind him he’s bringing a delinquent to his father’s election day festivities.
“Quinn.” He rubs my knee, his calloused fingers sending a shiver of desire right up my spine. “You need to own that shit so no one can use it against you. The mess, as you call it, is part of your charm. It’s part of what makes you so adorable and it’s the reason people love your column. You’re relatable.”
I scrunch up my face and turn to him. “You think?”
“I know.” He strokes lazy circles with his fingers, working his way up my thigh. “We’ve all had those moments.”
“Yeah, well, if you keep that up,” I say, staring pointedly at his hand, “we’re going to have an entirely different kind of moment.”
Cooper smirks and for the first time all day, the smile reaches his eyes. “You say that like it’s a bad thing.”
“It is when I’m about to meet your parents.”
The light in his eyes dims and I mentally curse myself.
“It’s not too late to bail. We could get a hotel room and—”
“Nice try, DeLaurentis.” I swat his arm playfully. “You’re not getting off that easily.”
Not yet, anyway.
41
COOPER
I climbout of the car and hand the keys over to the hotel valet who calls me sir like I’m a slick forty-something businessman instead of a cocky twenty-something student.
Nothing like setting the tone for the day right out of the gate.
My nostrils flare as I exhale, and I remind myself it’s not his fault this day is going to suck balls.
Should have brought Starlight Twinkle.
No way. The last thing I need is my dad’s bad juju tainting my lucky unicorn.
“Wow.” Quinn rounds the back of the Audi and joins me on the sidewalk. It’s just past noon and Broad Street is teaming with bodies. “I didn’t think it would be so…” She gestures to the elegant limestone façade and gilded doors leading into the bright lobby. “It’s a lot.”
