“Of course.” No hesitation.
Dex beamed. “That would be amazing!”
He offered his hand and shook mine heartily, then unsealed the pink box and dumped two chocolates, two glazed, and a dozen donut holes in it while he launched into a spiel about health, fitness, and the importance of a good diet. I didn’t bother pointing out the irony. It was sort of charming and very on brand for this place.
I exchanged contact info with Dex and waved good-bye, high on the spark of purpose. Football…with kids, teens, adults.
Yeah, Wood Hollow was a good idea.
“I met your aunt and uncle today.”
Cooper loosened his grip on my wrists, unpinning me from the wall in the foyer where we’d been cleaning each other’s tonsils, our spent cocks pressed between us. “That might be the worst post-BJ line ever.”
I chuckled, pulling my joggers and boxer briefs up. “Sorry. Thatwasbad.”
He rezipped his jeans and pursed his lips in amusement. “You’re forgiven. And yes…I know. Aunt Rhona called and threatened to bring soup. Lucky you.”
“Well, she claimed to be a terrific cook, and…I’m easy.” I nudged his shoulder on my way to the great room. “Beer, wine, gin? Cheese, crackers, hot dogs? You name it, I bought it. What can I offer you?”
“Just beer is fine, thanks.” Cooper perched on a barstool in Val and Naomi’s kitchen. “So you braved the market today?”
“Yeah, I liked it better this time around. Less frantic, no snow. It was kinda fun.”
“Fun?”
“Well, I don’t do in-person grocery shopping at home. I have everything delivered. It’s easier than dealing with crowds and parking.”
He thanked me for the beer, clicking his bottle to mine. “What else did you do?”
“I went to Dexter’s and was bribed with a fuckton of donuts to show up at the Spring League opener next weekend.”
Cooper lifted a brow. “And what did you say?”
“Yes. Sounds like fun.” I narrowed my eyes. “You don’t think so?”
“Of course, I do. It’s a big event here. Which means, it gets some press. A few of the hockey players from Elmwood and their kids are in the league. They bring a media presence to promote the juniors’ hockey camp and we don’t mind ’cause we’re hosting and it’s good for business here. Plus…the mill sponsors.”
“So…lots of cameras.”
“Yep. If you were truly intending to hide here, the jig would probably be up. Reporters are usually more interested in the hockey players from Elmwood than us. You might change that…also good for the town. On the bright side, it’s only one afternoon, and the reporters usually hightail it out of here quickly or book a room at the Black Horse Inn.”
“Hmm. I have to go to Boston soon. I could leave the next day and return once the reporters were long gone.” I gave a self-deprecating laugh. “Geez, I’m making it sound like I’m some big fucking deal and I’m not. I just…I don’t know. This has been a weird year and for some reason, I feel normal here. I really like this place. I don’t want to ruin the vibe.”
Cooper took a swig and set his bottle down. “And what vibe is that?”
That was a good question. “Community, I guess. I met a lot of people today, and they were all welcoming and nice. In LA, I could meet the same person five times at a mutual acquaintance’s party, and they might look right through me. Unless I was useful somehow. Davey hadn’t seen me in two months and he remembered my name, for fuck’s sake.”
“Well, Davey’s extra friendly.”
“I haven’t met anyone unfriendly.” I skirted the island and sat next to him. “Do youhaveany assholes here?”
Cooper barked a laugh. “I’d say that’s subjective, but most folks agree that the highest concentration of assholes live in Pinecrest.”
“They’re the idiots who show off their Gucci bags and eat caviar for breakfast, right?”
“And I’m sure they all have their groceries delivered too,” he deadpanned.
“Sick burn, Coop.” I chuckled at his annoyed huff and couldn’t help thinking this felt so…easy. “Dexter’s extra friendly too. Is he…queer?”
