They drove to Aria’s together, ostensibly because it was more efficient. In reality, Sophie needed Cooper by her side, and she suspected he felt the same way.
After they parked, Sophie lingered at the roadside while he came around, then latched on to his hand. The sensation of their palms pressed against each other grounded her, and she took a deep breath, barely able to believe that she was about to charge inside and announce to her oldest friend that she was dating her brother.
What have you got yourself into, girl?
“You ready?” she asked Cooper in a whisper.
“As ready as I’ll ever be,” he replied.
“Come on, then.” She tugged his hand, and together they walked up the short path to the cottage. A ginger cat lay sprawled on the couch next to the open door, and Sophie tickled his tummy as they walked past.
When they stepped into the kitchen, they were met by the usual chaos. Aria’s hunky fiancée Eli glanced over his shoulder and smiled, then resumed stirring the contents of a wok on the stovetop. He swung around for a second look a moment later, his gaze dropping to their linked hands. Then he sidled over to Aria, who was cleaning salad greens in the sink, and murmured in her ear.
Aria spun on her heels and stared at Cooper and Sophie, eyes wide. One of her hands slapped up to cover her mouth, and she shrieked.
At once, everyone fell silent.
Donna and Geoff, Cooper’s parents, stopped arguing over a spirited card game with Emily and Justin. Emily beamed. A scowl darkened Justin’s face.
Aria raised a trembling hand and pointed. “You… Together… What?”
Sophie’s heart seemed to have stopped beating. Her lips wouldn’t move, rendering her incapable of replying. Luckily, Cooper didn’t seem to be in the same predicament.
He squeezed her hand, waved with his other, and, the epitome of casual, said, “Hey, everyone.”
Aria put her hands on her hips. “Explain yourselves.”
For all that Sophie had thought she’d prepared for this, she felt her knees begin to buckle under the force of all the stares. Cooper released her hand, and his arm came around her waist to brace her. Thank God.
“Sophie and I would like you all to know that we’re dating.”
As Cooper’s words penetrated the room, the silence grew even more fraught.
“So cute,” Emily hissed to Justin, who quieted her with a look. For his part, he looked ready to strangle someone. Even though it was traitorous, Sophie hoped his anger was directed at Cooper rather than herself.
“Oh. My. God,” Aria said, looking at a loss.
Eli wrapped his arms around her from behind. “What she means to say is, congratulations.” His smile was warm, and relief flooded Sophie as she realized she had an ally.
“Thank you,” she said, smiling back.
“We’re very happy for you, darling,” Donna said. “You took us by surprise, that’s all. How did this come about?”
Sophie’s cheeks heated. She couldn’t very well tell them the whole truth. Bits and pieces of it, perhaps, but not the part where she’d propositioned Donna’s youngest son.
“I couldn’t say for Coop,” she began, “but for me, it started a couple of weeks ago, when—”
“Sorry to interrupt,” Justin broke in. “But can I speak to you outside for a moment, Coop?”
Without waiting for a reply, he rose from the table and stalked out. Sophie expected Cooper to make some pithy remark, but instead he followed Justin meekly from the room.
“Well, I never,” Donna exclaimed, clearly gob-smacked. “I know I didn’t raise that boy to be so rude.” She reached over the table for the bottle of wine, poured a glass and pushed it towards the spot Justin had vacated. “Take a seat, honey, and tell us all about it.”
After Sophie had sunk into the chair and sipped the wine, she laid her hands awkwardly on the table. Donna rested one of her hands over Sophie’s.
“A couple of weeks ago, I broke up with Evan. I came over here to see Aria. She was away, but Coop was here.” Sophie chuckled at the memory. “I jumped out from behind a bush and threatened him with a wine bottle. He took it pretty well, and it just kind of went from there.”
“So you’re the new girl.” Aria clapped her hands excitedly. “The one who cured his nightmares.”
“You knew he was seeing someone?” Geoff asked, speaking for the first time.
“Of course, he was seeing someone,” Donna said, rolling her eyes. “That dear boy is always seeing someone. No offense, love,” she added, patting Sophie’s hand.
“But he said he was taking a break from women,” Eli remarked, scratching his chin thoughtfully.
“I, um… I guess I ruined that,” Sophie admitted. “Sorry.”
“Oh, don’t be sorry.” Donna beamed at her. “I couldn’t be more pleased to have you as part of the family. Although you know I’ve always thought of you that way. We’re happy for you, dear,” she said, casting a look at Geoff. “Aren’t we?”
“Absolutely,” he replied with conviction. “Cooper needs a steadying influence in his life, but I’m surprised he convinced you to give him a chance. I suppose you know he chronically avoids commitment?”
“Yes,” she agreed wryly. “Up until now, apparently.”
“He’s also terrible at expressing his feelings,” Aria commented.
Sophie recalled the way he’d knelt in front of her earlier and told her he wanted them to be more than a fling. “He’s getting better at that.”
Aria left Eli’s arms and came over to hug Sophie. As she did, she murmured in Sophie’s ear, “I’m really happy for you, Soph. Just be careful, okay? I don’t want you to get hurt.”
A lead weight dropped to the bottom of Sophie’s stomach. It was yet another reminder that Cooper liked to play the field. Clearly, Aria was worried that he’d drop her once he became bored, just as Sophie herself had once believed. Hearing someone else voice her fear made it seem more real, but she shoved the thought to the back of her mind.
“I’ll be careful,” she promised.
“What your problem?” Cooper asked once he and Justin were out of earshot of the house.
“What’s my problem?” Justin echoed disbelievingly. “What the hell is your problem?” He shoved Cooper’s shoulder hard. “I honestly believed you when you said there was no girl this time. Stupid me, huh? But even though I know what you’re like, I’m having a hard time believing you’d sink low enough to screw over Sophie. Really, man, have a little heart. She’s way too sweet for your sick games. She’s in a vulnerable place. Don’t be the asshole who makes it worse.”
“I won’t make it worse,” Cooper replied calmly, although the accusation stung. Especially from Justin, who was essentially his best mate. “I care about Sophie. She means a lot to me.”
“Then do her a favor and stay the hell away from her.”
Cooper shrugged. “I can’t do that.”
“The hell you can’t. She doesn’t deserve to have you run away from her in a few weeks once the novelty has worn off.” Justin lowered his voice. “Do the right thing.”
“Bro, I can’t,” Cooper said helplessly. He didn’t care how selfish it was; he couldn’t give up Sophie. She was different from the others. “We’ve got a really good thing going.” Then inspiration struck. “What if she’s my Emily?”
Justin’s eyes narrowed. “What do you mean?”
“You were the mopey-est guy in Itirangi until Emily came along, and now look at you, practically radiating happiness.” Okay, maybe that was an exaggeration, but it was true that Emily had made Justin a happier man. For God’s sake, the moron was grinning just thinking about her. If that wasn’t crazy, stupid love, Coop didn’t know what was.
“I see your point,” Justin allowed. “But I didn’t date anyone for a year before Em. You’ve dated half-a-dozen girls in that time.”
Cooper winced. Painted in that light, he sounded like a player. “How’s this? If I mess up with Sophie, you can beat the shit out of me. Tag-team with Eli. You’re both meatheads.” Heck, if he hurt Sophie, he wouldn’t fight back.
“You’re serious about her?”
“I am. She’s…” He struggled to think of the right words. “Amazing. Hot. Surprisingly strong. Did you know her mum has been bed-bound for two years, and Sophie’s had to care for her?”
Justin nodded, and his shoulders relaxed. “I knew something wasn’t right, but I didn’t realize it was that serious.”
A wave of shame washed through Cooper. Even hermit-like Justin had known more about Sophie’s life than he had. “I didn’t know anything about it,” he admitted. “What does that say about me?”
Justin didn’t reply. They both knew it wasn’t good.
“I slept with her,” Cooper added suddenly, startling even himself.
Justin rolled his eyes. “I could have guessed that.”
“No, I mean I actually slept with her,” he said meaningfully. “All night.”
“Hmph,” Justin grunted. The two of them didn’t discuss feelings often, but surely he could see the significance of that. “Okay, I’m gonna give you the benefit of the doubt, bro, and assume you truly want the best for Sophie. But if you mess it up, you’d better be ready to deal with the consequences.”
Cooper shook his brother’s hand. “I won’t mess it up.”
He seemed to be making a lot of promises lately. He hoped he could keep them.