Page 76 of Fatal Betrayal

She felt like he'd just stabbed her. She sat back in her seat. "That was direct."

"It had a tremendous impact on me."

"I'm sorry. I know those words will never be enough, but I'm speaking from my heart. I wish you could believe me."

"I believe you," he said, surprising her with his words.

"But you just said—"

"I said that what you did made me afraid to trust other people, and that's true. But I also know now that I didn't see the situation with as much clarity as I do now. Being with you the past two days has been an eye-opener. I know you're sorry. I just don't know how to fully let go of the anger, Andi."

Her gut clenched in sorrow with the truth of his words. He might have clarity, but forgiveness was still out of reach. "Do you really want to let the anger go, Cooper?"

He nodded. "Yes. I want to forgive you, Andi. I just don't know how."

She stared back at him, watching a mix of emotions play through his eyes. "I guess kissing me didn't help."

He sucked in a quick breath. "That was better than I imagined."

"Which only complicates your feelings, right? How can you physically want someone you hate?"

"Or how can I hate someone I want so much?" he countered.

She swallowed hard. "I don't think we should kiss again until we have an answer to at least one of those questions."

"Do you feel the same way, Andi?"

"Conflicted?" she asked. "Yes. And confused. Because I never thought about you in this way when we were kids."

"You don't have to keep rubbing that in," he said dryly.

At his rueful smile, she grinned, grateful their deep conversation had suddenly gotten easy again. It would probably always be this way with Cooper. One step forward, one step back, the good and the bad and then the good again. Since they had to spend time together, she'd rather stay on this lighter note. "I was not as advanced as you were back in high school."

"I was not advanced. I was awkward and uncomfortable and the more time we spent together, the worse that got. That's why I wasn't as available to hang out with you. I was trying to figure things out when you weren't in my presence, fogging up my adolescent brain."

"And I just thought you were getting bored or annoyed with me."

"Well, you were annoying. We already established that."

She threw her wadded up napkin in his direction. "You were annoying, too, and you still are."

"But we make a good team."

"I'm not sure I'd say that."

"I saved your life. I pulled you out of the fire. That's twice in two days I've had your back."

"You woke me up, but I got myself out of the fire," she argued.

"It's always picky semantics with you. You hate to be weak."

"And you like to be the hero."

"We both like that," he corrected. He took a breath, his expression changing once more, his gaze getting contemplative. "Did you forget about me over the years?"

"I tried really hard to forget you, because remembering our friendship hurt way too much. You were my best friend. I don't think I've ever had a friend like you since then. We talked about everything."

"We did," he agreed.