Page 26

Chapter 26

If we were friends

Callie

I found a quiet corner and watched. The protocols people followed here were strange to me, but when I wasn’t sure what I should do, a quiet corner never did me wrong.

It was research, anyway. Cooper’s family had more money than any of the partners at my firm, but if I understood how people behaved here, it would help me when, hopefully, I had to attend the wedding of a partner or their kid. From here, I could see who was close to the bride and groom, and who wasn’t. I could tell that at some of the tables people were talking business, while at others, things were more relaxed, and people laughed.

Cooper was dancing with some woman older than his parents. Possibly a relation, or a connection to the family firm. I’d learned a lot from him. I’d also learned a lot about him. He was smiling out there but it wasn’t a real smile. The dimples were out, and he was charming people, but I’d seen those real smiles, and they were different.

I frowned. What was I supposed to do with that knowledge?

“Not dancing, Callie? I saw you up there with Cooper—did he trample your feet?”

Pierce. The asshole Benson aspired to be. He shared so many features with Cooper, and yet they didn’t work right. Even if they looked the same, I could never confuse them. Pierce was one of the blessed people. Wealthy, healthy, attractive, and intelligent. If he knew my story, my whole story, the way he looked at me would change. Now that I’d met Pierce, it was obvious how Benson’s attitude had prompted Cooper to help me with my golfing problem.

I shook my head in response to his question.

Pierce sat down beside me. I shot him a glance from the corner of my eye. He had an angle—Pierce would always have an angle. Was he looking for information on Cooper? He wouldn’t get it from me.

“We haven’t seen that much of you, Callie. Whit has kept you busy.”

“It’s a wedding. It’s kept everyone busy.”

We had not been fucking nonstop the way Pierce implied with his knowing look. Damn it, this was why Cooper’s ideas about dressing to look good didn’t always work. I preferred to look boring, not like someone’s fuck buddy. And damn Pierce for making me feel like that. Especially in this dress, which I loved.

“Still, I’d like to get to know you.”

I held in a shudder of revulsion. “There isn’t much to know about me. We went through the basics the first night.” I didn’t want to talk about my least favorite subject, namely me.

Pierce leaned back. “Tax law is a challenging specialty.”

It was. Again, something I’d already been asked about, and not something that merited a long discussion.

Pierce kept talking, but his eyes were on Cooper. “And with the work that involves, I expect you’d like to be a partner someday.”

I narrowed my eyes. Was he fucking with me? Did his firm have influence with mine, even though I hadn’t seen any connections? Could this deal with Cooper have any negative consequences at the firm?

“I’m just guessing. You’re smart, ambitious, beautiful…” He let that trail off.

I was smart, very smart, and I had ambitions, but not to take over the world. I just wanted to ensure my life was as safe as I could make it. I was not beautiful. Pierce thought flattery about my appearance would numb some of my brain cells.

“We do business with your firm, could maybe put in a word.” He waited, a little smile on his face, as if he expected me to jump all over that.

“You’re going to recommend me as partner material, someone you’ve only known for days.”

He shrugged. “It’s called networking. You need connections if you want to get somewhere, and a chat at a wedding can have more impact than any CV.”

This was the way it worked for the privileged. The rest of us? SOL. I hated that.

“Are you telling me that being Cooper’s date to his sister’s wedding is going to get me on the fast track to partner?” Might as well lay it all out. He’d probably lie about it, but at least I’d be able to watch his reactions, get a feel for how much shit he was shoveling.

“No, Whit burned any bridges with the family when he had his picture plastered around the city in his underwear. Bringing you to this wedding is the smartest thing he’s done in years. If you want to make your mark as an attorney, he’s not going to help you. But I could.”

What the hell kind of word was he going to put in, when he’d never seen any of my work?

He looked over the room. “If we were friends.”

Every hair on my body stood up when he said that. It wasn’t just the words. More than what he said was how he’d said it—the tone. It wasn’t the first time I’d heard it. Back in high school, a teacher had offered me help on a test, if we were “friends.” I knew what kind of friends he meant. Sure, back then I’d had a reputation, one I’d earned, but I’d only bartered sex for affection. Not for grades. This wasn’t a real offer, obviously. Pierce thought I was stupid enough to sleep with him and hope that got me a recommendation. “Being friendly is definitely going to get me a legitimate job offer.” My voice was flat.

The fucker grinned at me. “I’ve got a room upstairs—we could work out the details. See which brother can better help your future. Even if you’re not interested in making partner, we could have some fun together. Helen just gave Whit her room key, so he’s going to be busy.”

I’d been watching Cooper too. But I’d seen him return the plastic card. I had no idea if Pierce had, but he thought I’d sleep with him because I was upset Cooper might sleep with someone else. Like I’d want to strike back at Cooper by fucking his brother.

Maybe that was the tactic he’d used on Cooper’s high school girlfriend.

Pierce put his hand on my thigh. High on my thigh. I picked it up and dropped it back on his own leg. “Find a way to fuck with Cooper without using me.”

I stood up and left.

* * *

I was almost at the reception entrance, ready to catch my own cab, when Cooper caught up to me.

“I saw Pierce corner you, and then you left. Are you okay?”

Somehow, despite happening often enough, those propositions never failed to upset me. Make me think somehow I’d asked for the advance, even though logically I knew I hadn’t.

“He said he could help me make partner and invited me to his room upstairs.”

Cooper swore long and proficiently. “That’s it. I’ve had it. Let’s get out of here.”

“Don’t you need to stay till the end? You’re one of the groomsmen.”

“I don’t fucking care.”

“Whittaker!”

His father stalked out of the ballroom, his mother following as usual. Behind them, Pierce smirked as if he’d accomplished something. Maybe this was what he’d wanted.

“We’re leaving,” Cooper said flatly.

“No, you are not. You have obligations to this family, and you will fulfill them before you take off with your?—”

“Be very careful how you finish that sentence, Father, because I’m better with my fists than either you or Pierce.”

His father drew himself up. “You’ve embarrassed this family sufficiently. You will apologize.”

Cooper shook his head. Pierce’s mouth fell open.

“I have no obligation to be insulted for choosing my own career, one where I’m valued and wealthier than any of you. I don’t have to be reprimanded for prioritizing people based on something other than their social standing and wealth. And I definitely don’t need to apologize for removing my date from an event where she has to deal with sleazy propositions from my jealous brother.”

“Whittaker Zane Cooper. That is more than enough. We’ll discuss this later, including your accusation, but you will do as you’re asked right now.”

“I’ve done that for the last time. Come on, Callie.”

He gripped my elbow in his large hand, steering me away from his family. I expected some yelling, but no, not these people. Cooper walked us out without a look back, but his hand was vibrating with tension as we left.

* * *

We were quiet on the way back to the hotel. We were in a cab, since this was expected to be a drinking occasion, and I didn’t want to say anything publicly. Was he okay? Had he broken with his family, or was this part of their dynamic? If Cooper wanted to brush them off, it was probably good for him.

Back in the room, I removed my sandals with a sigh of relief. I was used to flats at work, and I had no intention of wearing heels regularly.

“Tired?” Cooper asked.

I turned to check his expression. His gaze lifted from my feet, over my body, and ended on my face. There was heat there. I knew exactly what he was asking.

He didn’t want to talk. He wanted to do what we’d done the last couple of nights and wash the memory of them away. The smart thing would be to say I was tired. This weekend—dealing with his family, sleeping with him—was threatening the barriers I kept up for safety. Feelings were stirring. But there was something around the slight downturn of his mouth, the lines around his eyes… His family had hurt him, drained the confidence that was a core part of his identity.

I wasn’t going to do that to him tonight.

I shook my head and he led me to his room. He framed my face in those big, callused hands and kissed me, gently, then with growing passion. I leaned in and let him lead.

He removed my clothing, carefully, with soft kisses on the newly exposed skin. He took off his tux before I could help, and placed me on his bed as if he was posing me. And then he took me apart, with his hands and mouth, until I cried out as I came.

He wrapped his arms around me and fell asleep while I stared at the wall, thoughts and feelings whirling in my brain.

* * *

The next morning on the way to the airport, Cooper got a phone call. He barely spoke, but I imagined, from the way his jaw tensed and his fingers tightened on the steering wheel, that it was someone in his family.

Just before we arrived at the airport car rental kiosk, Cooper broke in.

“Pierce, after what you did, with Vicky and then with Callie last night? You have no moral high ground. You never did. I don’t give a flying fuck what you think about me or my life or anything else. I’m done. Remove me from the family tree or whatever the fuck you want.” He hung up the call and turned into the lot.

He didn’t look like he wanted to talk. What he did want, and indulged as soon as we were on the plane, was to drink. I couldn’t blame him. I’d only been exposed to the Coopers for a weekend, and I’d have thrown back a few drinks if it wasn’t morning and one of us needed to be sober.

It was a Sunday morning flight and the plane was only half full. Based on my experiences this summer, the people who would normally fill up first class were out on the golf links. The only other couple up here with us were immersed in a movie.

The flight attendant was keeping her distance, since every time she came near Cooper he asked for more alcohol. I had my e-reader out, but I wasn’t reading. The quiet gave me time to think, and it confirmed the conclusions I’d reached last night.

I wanted to ignore it, for just a bit longer, and enjoy this little bubble out of my usual life. But I always faced things head-on, and this urge to push a harsh truth aside meant I had to take steps now. Cooper was staring at the seat back in front of him, glass of whiskey in his hand. His fourth or fifth? “Cooper.”

He turned to me. His eyes were slightly unfocused and his mouth a little loose.

“We’re done.”

He blinked at me, brows lowering. “What?”

“Our deal. It’s done.”

“Your tournament isn’t for another three weeks. We should still get some time in at Briarwood. This part, the wedding, it was the worst and it’s over.”

I shook my head. “We have to stop now.”

He tried to clear his brain from whatever amount of alcohol he’d consumed. “Callie, I’m not in any condition to work this through right now, but let me get home, sleep this off, get my head straight again.”

I had to tell him.

“Cooper—this was supposed to be fun, right? Just fun. No feelings. The problem is that I’m starting to get feelings, and we said that’s when this ends. I can survive the golf tournament. You’ve survived your sister’s wedding. Our deal is done.”

There. I’d said it. It was out there.

I stole a look at Cooper. I wasn’t sure what I expected. I knew he wasn’t going to say he was in love with me and throw his arms around me. That wasn’t what I wanted. I had a plan, and romantic feelings were not part of it.

Just last night, I’d said no to Cooper’s brother. I didn’t want a position that I got by fucking someone, true. If I’d been smart, I might have been able to manipulate the situation with Pierce to get what I wanted without sleeping with the asshole. But I hadn’t considered that. I’d only thought about Cooper. I couldn’t run my life that way.

Cooper was staring at me like I’d sprouted horns. “What?”

“You heard me.”

“But…we were having fun. I’m an asshole, really. You’ll get over this. It was just the wedding stuff.”

I didn’t need someone to explain my feelings to me. “I don’t lie to myself. I meant what I said. Thank you for your help, and I hope this weekend was enough to repay you. I have work to do, and you start back with hockey. This is the right time.”

The announcement of our arrival and imminent landing came through the cabin. I took my e-reader, which I hadn’t used, and slid it into my briefcase. I kept my phone handy, ready to pick up any messages or emails that had arrived while we were flying.

Cooper ran a hand through his hair. “We should talk about this. Not now, obviously, but I need to think.”

I sighed. Why couldn’t he just accept this? “Cooper, really, it’s okay. I don’t want feelings. Not like that. I can’t see you anymore.”

He had both hands in his hair now. “Damn it, why did I drink so much?”

“Because you had a shitty time, and you needed to get out of your head. It’s fine.”

And I might be doing the same thing shortly. Drinking and ice cream and reminding myself of what was really important, and I should be fine, right? I didn’t want romance, or a relationship. Cooper was totally the wrong guy for that if I did. I just needed some time away from him, away from the orgasms he was so good at, and I’d be back to my normal self. Except that I’d be great at the country club, and better dressed than I’d been before.

This wedding had been a horrible experience for the most part, and I was angry with his family. I’d wanted to make him feel better, so I’d crossed that line and had sex with him. It wasn’t his fault what I was feeling. That was all on me, not him.

“Hey.” I touched his arm and he looked up at me, eyes focusing a little better. “You know I’m not good at faking things. I really, really appreciate how you’ve helped me. I enjoyed our time together. But it needs to end now. You don’t want me to get clingy and emotional.”

“I have a hard time picturing that.”

Me too. “So, we’ll say goodbye, and it’s all good. I promise I’m fine. Totally.”

“Fine.”

I nodded.

His lips pinched. “Well then, what else matters?”

My jaw dropped, but he put in his earphones and ignored me.

Damn it if I didn’t feel hurt, and that was the problem. Feelings sucked.