page93 (1/2)

“There’s no way I’ this” I was in shock

I couldn’t actually believe that real people pulled this kind of underhanded, ignoble shit

“You’ll do it” He leaned in to me and there was a new hint of ood doctor’s dirty secret”

I stared at hi my revulsion

He ree smile, nodded his head, and turned on his heel

I watched hi as if the world had suddenly ended

In a way it had

At least my new life in Hartwell

With Cooper

I pressed a hand to my chest

When my sister died, a piece ofto do with me after it, another piece snapped apart

What was left of it shattered into a million little pieces because I suddenly knehat I had to do

“Jess?”

I glanced overme, concerned

“What did he want?”

She can’t know She’ll tell Cooper

Think Think Think!

I cleared ony that was pressing down onit hard for uess I should feel flattered, feel like one of you”

“Why?” She stepped toward me “What did that bastard say to you?”

“He thought somehoould be able to convince ave her a wry look as I ave so in financial trouble and said that I had to help hiht decision”

Bailey’s cheeks flushed red with anger “That is bullshit Cooper is doing fine”

“I assumed, or he would have told h for the next part of my deception “Anyway, even if he weren’t, Cooper and I are nowhere near a partnership His bar has nothing to do withback to the inn

“What does that mean?” Bailey hurried to catch up to me

“We just have a lot to talk about”

“You ?”

“That and other stuff”

“That doesn’t sound good”

I sighed, heavily, shakily, desperately holding on tosobs “I’m not sure it is That’s why I’ve been out of it all day”

“Are you breaking up with hi horrified

I shook my head “I justI just really need to talk to his out”

She studied me carefully “Jess, you look really upset and worried”

I shrugged

“Okay” She squeezed ht so that you can talk to Cooper after he closes up the bar”

My stoined that very thing “Thank you”

“It will all be okay” She gavesmile “Communication is the key”

I felt sick

“Right,” I muttered

My heart was pounding so fast I was sure I could see h my shirt

And I felt like I was going to be sick

ShiversI wrapped h it wasn’t all that cool on the boardwalk

If I didn’t make a move soon I’d miss Cooper

I already miss Cooper

God, I couldn’t catch my breath

The front door to the bar suddenly opened and Cooper’s head popped around it “Hey,” he called toout here?”

My feet startedtoward him as if of their own volition since my brain wanted me to run in the opposite direction Or maybe that was my heart

“Hey,” I said, but it sounded croaky He stepped aside to let me in and I muttered my thanks

“I was about to leave,” he said as he started closing all his blinds

“Yeah”

“You here to talk about why you’ve been avoiding me for the past few days?”

He had his back to me

It would be so much easier to say it to his back

Don’t you dare You are not a coward

I snorted

Yes, you are

“What’s funny?” Cooper said as he finished up and walked back over toon it He crossed his arms over his chest and one ankle over the other and just stared at me

Clearly he was already pissed athim

I knew because Cooper touched me all the time

It made me feel cherished

And I hated when he didn’t touch me

I blinked back the sting of tears, but Cooper caught sight of the shine inon, Doc?”

As I drew in a breath, my chest shuddered and I exhaled shakily So shakily he heard it

“Okay, I’ for me

I raised a hand to ward him off “Don’t”

Cooper stopped “Jessica?”

I flinched “IOh, God” I pressed a hand to ht there

“If you don’t tellover there” o;There’s no way I’ this” I was in shock