Vivian had just had her second baby a few weeks earlier, and she was ecstatic to have the help and extra company to keep her sane. That’s the trade-off: I help with the kids, let them sneak off for date nights, cook when I can. Of course, none of it’s expected, but it’s the least I can do.
They have their hands full. And honestly, I want to stay busy.I have to.Otherwise, I’ll go crazy.
I love the kids, too. They’re filling this hole in my chest I didn’t even realize was there.
Vivian and I clicked instantly. Not long after, she introduced me to Cooper. Cooper’s engaged to her fiancé, Ryan. She was in a real shitty relationship before him. Apparently the guy was a total dick—cheated on her for five years.
Ryan’s great, though. I’ve met him a handful of times. They’re cute and completely in love. Being around couples like them always makes me miss Jensen.
Who am I kidding? Everything makes me miss him.
Cooper’s great. Loud. Fun as hell. The kind of person who makes you feel seen, even when you’re nothing alike. She just gets me. There’s never a dull moment when she’s around.
We’re interrupted by two guys. The taller one steps forward while his friend hangs back, trying not to look awkward.
“Sorry to interrupt, ladies,” the tall one says with a smile. “Just… couldn’t let the night end without saying you’re all absolutely stunning.” Then he looks directly at me—and thank God, it’s at my face, because his friend’s eyes are glued to Vivian’s chest. “Mind if I borrow your friend for a drink?”
Vivian raises an eyebrow, and Cooper lets out a sharp laugh. “Seriously? I just watched you hit on some other girl five seconds ago.”
I cringe.
Here it comes—Cooper going full mama bear. She always does this when someone tries to hit on me or Viv. I get it—she’s got some trauma there. She assumes every guy in a bar is a cheating bastard, just like her ex.
“Totally fair,” he says with a grin, holding up his hands, eyes now locked on Cooper. “That was a friend I ran into. But I’ve been trying to work up the nerve to come over here for the past twenty minutes. Figured I’d shoot my shot before the night’s over.” Then his gaze shifts to me again. “What do you say? Wanna grab a drink?”
A slow grin stretches across my lips. I’m impressed. And he’s cute. Really cute. Or maybe I’m just really drunk.
Still… it feels good to be wanted. It gives me hope for the future. And I’ll take any thread of hope I can get.
“I’ve gotta give you props for coming over, and for making it past this one first,” I say, nudging Cooper with my elbow. “But I’m going through a divorce right now, and I’m just… not really in a place to have a drink. Or even flirt, honestly. I appreciate it, though. I really do.” I press a hand to my chest. “I’m flattered. And if you ask me six months from now, I’m sure I’ll say yes.”
He tilts his head slightly, eyes narrowing as a slow, sexy smirk forms. “Well then, I’ll be here in six months.”
I roll my bottom lip between my teeth as he turns to walk away, his friend trailing behind.
“He was such a Brad,” Cooper mutters, rolling her eyes.
I smack her arm. “No he wasn’t. He reminded me of…” I stop myself, the emotion rising too fast. I’m afraid if I blink, a tear will fall.
“Of…?” Cooper prompts.
“No one. Never mind.” I pick up my glass and take a long gulp. Was I really about to compare that guy to Jensen? I don’t even know that guy. “He was cute,” I say quickly, setting the glass back on the table. “How weird was his friend, though?”
“Oh my God. The friend alone was a red flag,” Vivian says, laughing.
The two of them launch into a story about being hit on during a trip together, but I’m only half-listening. I swipe up on my phone and open Instagram, letting my thumb scroll on autopilot.
I do this a lot when I’ve been drinking—scroll through photos of my people in New York. Sometimes it makes me miss them less, and other times it makes me miss them more. I haven’t figured it out yet.
I scroll past a picture of Zach and Joey at a concert and tap the heart. Scarlett’s most recent post is of her and a few friends out to dinner. I like that one too.
I scroll further and freeze when Matt’s post pops up.
It’s Matt… and Jensen. In Switzerland.
I stare at the photo, like I’m trying to memorize every inch of it. They’re bundled up in coats and beanies, the Matterhorn behind them. They’ve got their arms slung around each other in that casual, bro-ish way that doesn’t look posed.
Matt’s grinning like always.
