Something I regretted to this day.
“I’ll lift it into your SUV.” I smirked. We hurried to catch up to the women.
“I’m quite capable.” He growled the words.
“Actually, why don’t you ride with Taryn and I’ll ride with Cooper?” Stephanie smiled. “That’ll give you a chance to catch up.”
“Right.” I put on the biggest smile I could. Losing alone time with Cooper was the exact opposite of what I wanted—but I’d never say that and risk hurting Taryn.
In the end, she helped me load my suitcase into the backseat of her SUV and we headed over the bridge from Abbotsford to Mission City. Taryn chatted about relatively inconsequential things, and I did my best to make all the right noises, letting her know I was listening. Which I was. I’d happily listen to her wax poetic all day about her honeymoon if that made her happy.
Which, apparently, it did.
It also kept me from obsessing about Cooper.
Or at least I tried.
Unsuccessfully.
Fifties wasn’t far, and we arrived at the same time as the other siblings. The diner was very much representative of the time it was named after. With posters of pinup girls on the walls, copies of old menus, as well as the article from the paper when it originally opened, over seventy years ago.
All of which I’d observed before.
Today, I kept casting furtive glances toward Cooper.
And he appeared to be pointedly ignoring me.
Well, two could play at that game.
“Hey, Sarabeth.” Stephanie beamed. “Booth for four.”
“Pick any on the right side of the place.” Sarabeth beamed, with her bright-blue eyes and her swish of a blonde ponytail. “And congrats on the wedding. Cooper said you had a great honeymoon.”
Both brides pivoted to Cooper, who colored a little—clearly in embarrassment.
He cleared his throat. “You’d just sent a text and—”
“And I wanted to see what he was smiling about. Dean’s mate Sam is quite a looker. Hope he comes to visit.”
Someone waved.
“Oh, I have to go. I’ll be with you in a minute to take your orders.” With that, she was gone.
Stephanie grabbed my hand and dragged me to the booth at the very back. She all but shoved me in, then plopped down beside me.
Taryn did the same with Cooper.
So he and I sat across from each other.
Stephanie pushed a menu before me. “We all know what we’re having.”
“Oh, we do, do we?” Cooper arched an eyebrow. “What if I want something different? What if I want something that’s not on the menu?”
Taryn frowned. “I suppose you can always ask Sarabeth to see if the kitchen—” She stopped abruptly and glared at Stephanie. “What was that for?”
“He can ask. That’s why we’re here.” Stephanie batted her eyelashes.
Cooper put his menu on the table. “I knew you were up to something.” He glared at his sister. “You didn’t really need a ride, because Taryn was coming from the opposite direction.”
