“Thanks, lads,” Cooke says as he makes his way toward me. Turning at the last minute, he waves one more time. Then, taking my hand in his, he leads me over to the car, unlocking it with the key fob on the way.
“Wait!” We turn and see Bull jogging toward us. When he gets there, he wraps me up in his arms. “You’re the bomb, Quinn.”
I giggle. “Thanks, Bull.”
He turns to Cooke. “This is the best day of my life, Mr. Thompson. Hands down. Thank you so much for taking the time to visit us.” His eyes are glistening. I was right.
Thanks, mate.” Cooke pats Bull’s shoulder. “I appreciate that. Quinn has your number. I’ll let you know when I’m coming back.”
He’s coming back? When?
“Cool.” Bull nods, then looks at me. “Very cool.”
And it is. It’s all very cool.
Cooke is coming back.
Chapter Thirty-Two
“That was delicious,” Cooke says, patting his hard, flat stomach. “I could get used to American food.”
“It was.” Even though I hardly ate, which is saying something, because I took Cooke to the most popular restaurant in Ames, Hickory Park. There are usually lines out the door to get into the place, but we went late enough that a lot of the rush was over. Not even Hickory Park’s dessert was tempting. Probably because I’ve got nervous jitters—or maybe I should call it anticipation for spending the night with Cooke again. There are so many thoughts rolling around in my head. The fact that he’s leaving in the morning is the main thing. I’m already sad about it.
But what about when we get back? Will he want to have sex? WillIwant to have sex? Yes, I do. I knew I’d been holding on to my virginity for a reason. A special reason. And there’s nobody more special than Cooke, and I can’t fathom there ever will be again. Sure, I used to think Eric Mackey back in high school was the one, and let’s not forget Bryant. In retrospect, I’m so glad it was neither of those guys. Nope. Cooke is the one in so many ways.
“Love?”
“Huh?” I look over at Cooke, who’s chuckling. “What?”
“I’ve been talking to you for several minutes. Are you daydreaming?”
“You could say that.”
“Penny for your thoughts?”
Oh, wow. I can’t tell him my thoughts. “I’m already sad you’re leaving tomorrow.” That’s true.
His face suddenly sad, he says, “I am as well, love.” Reaching out, he takes my hand in his. His thumb slides over my wrist, and I want to close my eyes to memorize the feeling. “You should come to London.”
I open my eyes and look at him. “That’s….” An amazing idea. Unbelievable. And impossible. “I can’t.”
“Why ever not?”
Gah, I love his accent. Just the word “not” sounds so cool. He emphasized thet, and it’s adorable.
“For one, I’ve got a job now.”
“That’s an easy fix. Ask for leave.”
I roll my eyes inside. “Two, I don’t have the money.”
“I’d buy your—”
“No.”
“Yes. I’d buy your ticket. You have a free place to stay and free transportation. All you’d need is a little bit of cash for trinkets for your mates.”
Okay, I’m going to call his bluff. “When? Because I’ve got school—”
