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“I feel like this has been a big inconvenience for you for nothing.”
“What do you mean?”
“I told Cope, err, Sumner, that I’d be going back to my apartment this morning. I’m sorry for our lack of communication.”
I saw her son’s face in how she studied me. They had the same green eyes. “I’m surprised he didn’t mention it to me.”
“As I said, I apologize?—”
She took out her phone, tapped the screen, and brought it to her ear. She drummed her fingernails on the counter and then tapped the screen again. “You don’t mind waiting until my son responds, do you?”
Of course I fucking mind waiting until your son responds, I shouted inside my head. “With all due respect, Mrs. Copeland?—”
“Call me Laurel.”
“With all due respect, Laurel, I do mind. It was kind of your son to offer to let me stay here, but it isn’t necessary I do so any longer. I appreciate all you’ve done for me as well.”
It occurred to me that in order for me to have a dramatic exit, I was going to have to climb off this stool, go into the bedroom, put my pants—and panties—on, and leave. Laurel would likely ask if I needed help with my bag, at which point I’d have to tell her it was already at my apartment. Gawd.
“You know what? Instead, I think I’ll just go take a pain pill and lie down. You wouldn’t mind, would you, Laurel?”
“Of course I wouldn’t, dear. Make yourself right at home.”
I smiled and slid off the stool, wishing she’d turn around so I could do my walk of shame back to Cope’s bedroom without her witnessing it. Instead, I could feel her eyes on me every damn step of the way.
I was lying on the bed, bored out of my mind, cursing myself for not having the balls to just leave, when my cell rang.
“Hey,” I answered.
“I have two things to say and am not sure how much longer I’ll be alone. So here goes: first, that photo you sent—Jesus—you looked hot. I’ve never wanted to own a helicopter more in my life.”
“A helicopter?”
“So I don’t have to endure the painful drive back to you while trying to stop myself from looking at it again.”
I giggled. “What was the second thing?”
“I’m sorry about my mom.”
“Don’t be. If I hadn’t slept so late, I would’ve been long gone by the time she got here.”
“That’s my fault too. I didn’t let you get much sleep. Where are you now?”
“Same place I was last night.”
“I wish I was there,” he murmured so quietly I could barely hear him.
“One of us has to get some work done.”
“Speaking of work. I’m ready whenever you are.”
I looked up at the ceiling, wondering if I should just tell Cope to forget it, but that might make him more suspicious than my lying to him had.
“Ali?”
“I’m here.”
“Hammer is headed back into my office, so I better end this call. Will you still be there when I get home?” It sounded like Cope’s hand went over the phone’s mic. In the background, I could hear muffled voices. “I’ll see you later, baby.”