Page 23 of Cooper’s Promise

“Hey, ask me, not my babysitter. This is my third glass,” she said as she poured the rest of the Cabernet into her glass.

“Meanwhile, I indulged in her frozen homemade lasagna and some chocolate mousse she had in the fridge instead.”

“There’s chocolate mousse?” Cooper took the wine glass from Brenna.

“Gimme,” she protested.

“I’m going to make you some coffee.”

“Okay,” she gave him an adorable smile. “In that case I want more chocolate to go with the coffee.”

“Athena, do you want some coffee?” he asked as he started to fill the coffee pot.

“No, Grey’s waiting for me. I’m going to take off.” She unwound from the sofa and came over and hugged Brenna. “It was so nice meeting you.”

“You, too. I don’t hate you anymore,” Brenna said as she returned the tall woman’s hug.

“Take care of her, Cooper.” Athena waved as she left the apartment.

“Why did you hate Athena?” he asked as he took down the coffee mugs and pulled out the remaining mousse from the refrigerator. Brenna reached around him and pulled out the lasagna as well and put it on the counter by the oven.

“You hugged her.” He stared at Brenna. Hell, he couldn’t even remember hugging Athena, all he could remember was Brenna.

“She’s just a friend.”

“Well, now she’s my friend, too.” As she opened the oven to put the pasta dish in to warm, she told him, “There’s a Caesar salad in the fridge. With anchovies of course.”

“You made the salad with anchovies? Oh, my God, I’m in love.”

“Ouch!” He saw that she had burnt herself against the inside of the oven door, and sprang into action.

“Here, let me help. He shut the oven door, and pulled the towel she had been using to lift the glass pan out of her hand. He guided her over to the sink, and pushed her hand under cold running water.

“I can do this myself. Get away from me.”

Cooper felt his heart in his throat at the tears in her voice. “Brenna, honey, how bad is it? Let me see.” He couldn’t remember ever seeing her cry.

“It’s fine.” She yanked her arm from his grasp, splashing water everywhere.

“Let me see,” he demanded.

“Cooper, I’m fine. Just go eat your salad, while your dinner warms up. I need to be alone.” She tried to get out of the kitchen, but he barred the way.

“Fuck my dinner. Honey, you’re not fine. You’re crying. This has to be a bad burn.” He made another attempt to see her injury. She put her hands behind her back, and tilted her head up to glare at him. Tears glittered in her eyes. One streaked down her cheek.

“I’m fine. Get out of my way.”

He reached out and thumbed her tear away. “Please, let me help.”

“You’ve done enough!” She moved her hands, and pushed at him. He took the opportunity to see her hand. It wasn’t blistered, it was a little red, but not enough for her to be crying.

“What’s wrong? Talk to me.”

“Just let me go. Please, Coop.” It was clear she was barely keeping it together.

He grasped her shoulders. “Why are you calling me Coop? What did I do wrong? Please, Brenna, I’m begging you. Tell me what’s wrong.”

“You said you loved me. You just said it as a joke. It hurt.”