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“What will you have?”

“Just water for me, please. I need to hydrate.”

“Gotcha. Give me a sec to order, I’ll be right back.” He rose and headed to the counter.

She waited for him, wondering if they could ever just be friends again. Wondering if they could overlook the love they’d once shared and regain their friendship. She’d always valued him, always thought of him and Julie as her besties. But that had been her summer life. Not the real thing.

“Hey, where did your smile go?” he said, sitting down and handing her a glass of water. “You look like you’re doing some heavy thinking?”

“Nope, not really.” She wasn’t going to bring it up. She didn’t want to go there. “Thanks,” she said, taking a few swigs of water. “This is just what I need.”

He tasted his coffee. “And this is just what I need.” But he was looking at her the entire time. His blue eyes were like a magnet, drawing her in, crowding her stomach with flutters.

“So, how far do you run usually?”

“I try for four miles. Sometimes I end up walking the last half mile. I’m not in the best shape.”

Again, his brows rose.

“Hey, I’m not fishing for a compliment or anything.”

“Still, Taye…you’re too hard on yourself. From where I’m sitting, you’re in damn good shape.”

Heat moved up her neck. The way he was looking at her and his compliment rattled her nerves. Since when did Coop make her so nervous? Her mind flashed to that last summer when her emotions went crazy and her heart sang only one song. For Coop. “Thanks. Maybe I should get going…” She pushed her chair out and was ready to stand, when Coop touched her arm. The slight touch sizzled all the way up to her shoulder.

“Stay a little while longer. I have something to tell you.”

She inhaled a sharp breath.

“It’s about Cassie.”

Oh, good. Cassie was a safe subject. She didn’t think she could handle anything more from Coop right now. Her feelings were in a jumble. She liked him, had always liked him, and those feelings were getting stronger.

“What about Cassie?” she asked, lowering down in the chair.

Coop focused on her forehead, and the bruise that was finally starting to fade. “She really likes you.”

“And I really like her too.”

Coop smiled. “She acts tough, but inside she’s a marshmallow. Soft and sweet.”

Where was he going with this?

“Cass got it in her head that she was to blame for you getting hurt at the ball field. She thinks if she hadn’t invited you, you wouldn’t have gotten injured.”

“Oh, no. Well, that’s not the case at all.”

“I explained that to her and I think she understands, but since you’re seeing her today for the fitting and all, I thought you should know.”

“Thank you. I’m glad you told me. I’ll be sure to keep that in mind when we talk. She’s really a nice young girl, Coop. Not that I have any experience with raising a child, but I can tell you’ve done a good job with her.”

“Pop and I, we try. Still, it’s not the same as having a mother and Francine was so good with her.” He sighed, pain entering his eyes for a moment. “So, what about you? Do you want children one day?”

“Me? Uh…yes. One day, maybe.”

“You mean there’s no boyfriends waiting for you back home?”

She chuckled at the thought. “Boyfriends? As in more than one? I haven’t had a date in over a year, so I’d say they’re not lining up behind my door or anything.”