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Just then I thought it ht be

So I nodded my silent thanks, and he nodded at limpse of a man that Bailey refused to see

Bailey eyed ey about what you’re doing today?”

Avoiding the question, I laughed “People are rightyou don’t like secrets”

“What people?” She frowned “Did Tremaine say that? When did he say that to you? You shouldn’t listen to a man who is morally defunct Morally defunct, I tell you!”

Coveringto fuel her fire

The bell above the front door to the inn tinkled before she could question me further, and we both turned

I losttoward us

Did he seem even taller today?

“Coop,” Bailey said, happy to see his you here?”

He cut me a look and I couldn’t tell if it was annoyed or amused “Doc didn’t tell you?”

“Tell me what?”

“I’ her out for the day”

Bailey’s eyes grew round as they swung to me A little smirk played around her mouth “No The doc did not tell me”

“I was going to,” I lied

“Oh, of courseafter all the evasion” She smiled sweetly and turned back to Cooper “So where are you taking my Jessica?”

“The fun park”

“Good choice!” Bailey hit his shoulder playfully “I haven’t been there in an age Tom says I’m too old”

“No such thing, sweetheart,” Cooper assured her

She flicked a glance back at me “So this is a date?”

“No,” I hurried to say, noting that Cooper hadn’t denied it

Hmm

That rin harder “Sure”

“Ready to go?” Cooper asked me

I nodded, definitely ready to get away fro

“Soe because that’s a fix” She followed us to the door “And don’t eat too much of Hilly’s candy floss because I’m pretty sure there is alcohol in it—otherwise, that was the weirdest sugar high I’ve ever had—and don’t tryin your neck”

I felt an unexpected thrill at the idea of lower for putting the thought in my head “It’s not a date, Bailey”

Cooper suided me out the door

We walked quickly down the porch, hurrying (well, I was) to get away from her

“Sure thing!” she called, following us out “But just in case, Cooper, don’t feel her up anywhere near Old Patty’s Psychic Tentfor an apparent free spirit she sure is a prude!”

“Is Old Patty still alive?” Cooper called back, co at the thought of his big hands touching etting caught

“She’s been alive since my ancestors founded this place”

Cooper just grunted at the joke and opened the garden gate for me

“Have fun on your date!” Bailey shouted Really loudly

“It’s not a date,” I snapped back, ignoring Cooper’s laughter

“Right,” she said as she turned to go back into the inn

“Are you sure she’s thirty-three?” I said as alked down the boardwalk

Cooper shook his head “Bailey Hartwell hit eighteen and decided she was done growing up”

I laughed lightly and alked on in silence for a little bit

“Wouldn’t have her any other way, though,” he suddenly said

I liked that

A lot

“Me neither”

We shared a warm look, one that put far too much heat in my blood, and then we continued on in silence

I felt guilty for enjoying the idea of Bailey’s suggestive co that was supposed to be sexy, and I guess froht person probably would be, but I’d felt euilty—and I hadn’t texted hihts about another man when I couldn’t even text my current friend with benefits back

Plus—I glanced surreptitiously up at Cooper—I couldn’t let et carried away here The reason this was not a date was because Cooper was all wrong for me

There was no forgetting the way he’d reacted to the apology in Sarah’s letters

That reaction was still there, still bothering me, despite Bailey’s explanation

And yetthisright then with himoh, this was nice

As on thewe’d ood There was no aardness, no feeling like we needed to fill the quiet with reat

Despite our hot interlude the other night, there was peace in walking with Cooper Lawson

The truth was, s I had to ads for hiinning to feel about ton There was so much warmth in Hartwell So much warmth directed at me

I felt connected here

And in all honesty I selfishly didn’t want to talk to anyone back in Wil whatever spell I seeht be