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“That’s right I forgot he left” Cooper flips his notepad open and grabs a pen “Sorry you're stuck, et you?”

“The usual, lobster roll, chips, and a large sweet tea”

Cooper scribbles my order then looks up “And for the lady?”

Layla shakes her head and s for me, thanks”

“Dude” Cooper drops his pen, sets his paluy, standing at almost six foot-three and built like a brick house Under the wrong circuiant softie “Is your girl too good for my food?”

Layla’s blue eyes widen She sucks in an audible breath, the red hue that colors her cheeks creeping down her neck when she shakes her head “No! Never I’ry”

Cooper narrows his eyes and stares Layla down for a solid three seconds before letting out a boisterous laugh “Lighten up, sweetheart I’”

Layla exhales, her shoulders rolling forward, and chuckles It dawns on me that she was nervous, possibly scared I’d let sohts me up and makes me sick to the sto out with?

I pay Cooper then lead Layla to a corner table by theShe takes the chair opposite me and smiles nervously “So”

“So” I tiltsome tea, but she shakes her head

Layla fidgets with her hands under the table, her nervousness given away by her reflection in theI like that she’s nervous, it ht be a chance I could ht

“Here” Cooper sets a bag of chips in front of Layla, while handing me my basket “Only a dick makes his date watch him eat”

“You’re a jerk,” I say at the same time Layla adds, “We’re just friends”

I should be lickingjust friends, but I’ more than the horny cowboy Today, we’re friends In ress in leaps and bounds

I pickheaven into do when Cooper leaves for the military next month