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Coop’s compliment shot a ray of warmth to her belly.

“And you don’t either, muscle man.” She gazed at his biceps. They were hard to miss.

He laughed. “Muscle man? Is that anything like Superman?”

“You wish.” She grinned.

“Oh, brother.”

A minute later, they were outside strolling down the street. It was a short walk and they were comfortable just being quiet. Lots of somber thoughts were rolling around in her head, but Coop’s presence beside her made her shove them all away.

Once they reached Julie’s porch, she turned to Coop. “I had a nice time tonight. Thank you.”

“I think Cassie was happiest of all.”

She tilted her head. “Why do you always do that?”

“Do what?”

“Refuse to admit we can have a good time together?”

“I don’t do thatallthe time.”

She nodded. “Most of the time, you do. As if not admitting it will make it go away.”

“Okay, I had a nice time with you tonight. Is that better?”

“Yes, a hundred times better.”

“You make me forget, Taylor,” he confessed, his beautiful mouth turning down. “And sometimes that’s a dangerous thing.”

“Are you talking about Francine? Or Cassie?”

“Both, I guess. It’s been rough, being a single parent. Often, I had to hide my grief so Cassie wouldn’t feel it. And, lately, I’ve been forgetting to remember Francine. I know that sounds crazy.”

“It’s not crazy at all. But, is it because of me?” she asked softly.

He nodded. “I think so. When you’re around I feel good inside, but at the same time, I’m guilty. I worry about Cassie’s young heart too.”

“I get that. When I lost my mother, I wanted to hold on to all the memories, so she’d be alive in my heart forever. But even if my memories fade, my love for her won’t. I figured that out a while back and it’s really helped me.”

He smiled then, and moved a strand of hair off her cheek. Even his slightest touch meant something profound to her. “That’s because you’re smarter than me.”

“Am I?”

“Yeah, or else I wouldn’t be doing this.” And then his mouth covered hers, and the kiss surprised her and pulled her in at the same time.

A little moan escaped her lips as a thrill ran up and down her body. She could go on kissing Coop all night, but too soon, he backed away. Once her head cleared, she found him smiling at her. She blinked, smiling back, sure she wore a dreamy-eyed expression.

“I’d better wish you good-night.”

She cleared her throat. “Yes…um, good night, Coop.”

He started walking away, and when he was halfway down the street, he turned and waved.

She wiggled her fingers back, her heart full, and stared at him until he rounded the corner. The trouble was she understood what he was feeling. She understood his pain and doubt. It didn’t make things easier knowing he was mentally keeping his distance from her. Every so often, he’d let his guard down and she would see the Coop she used to know.

She liked that Coop best of all.