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There was a pause “I’ until we do”

“That’s your call”

Another pause “I’ until we do”

Cooper stopped pacing and swore He said every foul-mouthed cuss word he could think of, and none of theo away

He eyed his truck and felt for his keys

“Where you at?”

“This little diner—”

He was alreadytoward his truck “I’ll be there in twenty”

He was there in fifteen Cooper strode into A Charmed Life and cainto a bowl of vanilla ice cream while his mother toyed with her phone and stole an occasional scoop The two front booths were taken—one by four young girls who saw Cooper and ie couple who held hands as desperately as the looks they tossed at each other over the menus

Near the back, four older guys occupied a table, and not too far away in the last booth, he saw an elegant foot bob along to a mystery beat He started forward The black boot was expensive, probably Louis Vuitton, if her tastes were still the saave way to dark deni blonde hair tuazed down at the table where her hands were crossed

She was still, and Cooper paused, scowling at the taste of bitterness in his lanced up suddenly, and Cooper would have liked to say he was prepared for her, but he wasn’t He was also struck by a few things Her complexion was sallow and tired, and her makeup couldn’t hide the circles under her eyes Her hair wasn’t as lustrous as it had once been, and she was thinner than he’d ever seen her

Holly Adaile as hell She stared up at him Licked her lips nervously and waited

Cooper didn’tHe slid into the booth across from her and set his phone and keys on the table Her hands were still clasped, but when she undid theer

He raised his eyes andthe stab of fear that punched hiet this over with and leave, he decided to cut to the chase

“Why are you here?”