Before I can react, she launches herself off my chest, bouncing onto her knees to start dancing wildly on the bed. Her grin is huge, her hair flying around her face as she flails with the most ridiculous moves I’ve ever seen.
I laugh so hard my stomach aches. “The spider-kiss?” I ask, folding my arms as if I’m unimpressed, though I can’t hide my smile.
“Yes! Season two. In the rain. When Seth ends up like Tobey Maguire in Spider-Man!” She points at me triumphantly, still mid-dance. “Remember? The last time I watched that scene, I paused it to come to yo—” She cuts herself off abruptly, realizing what she almost said.
I arch an eyebrow, trying and failing to hide the smugness in my voice. “To who?”
Her cheeks flush, but she rolls her eyes with exaggerated annoyance. “Ha, ha, very funny. You can wipe that smug look off your face, you know? Presumptuous bastard.”
“Oh, so I’m presumptuous now?” I sit up, arms folded across my chest, enjoying the way she squirms under the teasing.
She huffs, then slides back down, straddling my lap in one swift motion. Her legs hook around me, her hands braced against my shoulders. “Very presumptuous,” she confirms, smirking.
“And what else?” I ask while my hands find her waist, pulling her closer.
She tilts her head, pretending to think, though her eyes are already locked on my mouth. “And an asshole.”
“Hmm. What else?” My voice drops lower without meaning to.
Her gaze flicks between my eyes and my lips, again and again, like she can’t decide where to land. Finally, she whispers, “And sexy.”
She leans in, leaving a lingering kiss against my neck. The warmth of it makes me exhale sharply, my arms tightening around her instinctively.
I laugh softly, collapsing backward with her in my arms, holding her flush against me. “You’re wrong about one thing, though,” I murmur into her hair.
“Oh, yeah?” she challenges, her voice muffled against my chest.
I press a kiss to the top of her head. “You’re way sexier than I’ll ever be.”
Nova smiles, wrapping her arms around me. “And I love you.”
“I love you too. Like a fool.” I whisper.
“It’s beautiful. The song.” She whispers back.
I smile. “I’m glad you like it. It makes me think of you. I listened to it and played it for months because singing a song with your name in it made me feel closer to you. Like you were right there with me through the healing process.”
Her lips cover my face with sweet kisses and soft touches.
“You’re not that terrified kid anymore, Cooper. You’re a man now. There will always be a small part of you tied to your past, but you made it. You believed in yourself, and now you’re okay. You’re a warrior, baby.”
I hug her as tightly as I can, holding her close. There are no words that could ever describe what this girl means to me.
“I think I want to start boxing. I’d like to join a gym—doing it alongside therapy has helped me a lot. What do you think?” I ask, brushing a stray lock of hair off her forehead.
“That’s a brilliant idea. It would do you so much good. We should sign you up right away, get you a pair of gloves, maybe even put a punching bag in our room—” She trails off, eyes bright. “Am I rambling again?”
I shake my head. “I could listen to you forever. It’s my favorite thing.”
“So, are you gonna lend me your boxing gloves so I can do my best Christina Aguilera in theDirrtyvideo?” she asks, sticking out her bottom lip in an exaggerated pout.
I can’t help but laugh, nodding. “But she doesn’t even wear boxing gloves in the video.”
She shrugs, eyes glinting. “I’ve gotta add my own personal touch.”
“Fine, baby,” I tease, shaking my head, but smiling so wide it hurts.
Nova smiles and rests her head against my chest, folding herself around me. She holds me close, and the world narrows to the steady beat under her ear.
