My foggy brain is wanting too much.
I should step away now, call it a night.
I shouldn’t take this night any further, but what if us running into each other is supposed to mean something? What if there is something more, and I’m not allowing myself to explore that?
Would that make me a horrible friend?
“The spanking,” I say, pulling away from my thoughts.
“What?” He laughs, the sound so deep, so earthy. Does everything about him have to pull at me now? Does the sound of his laugh really need to make my toes curl? Because it does.
“Uh, the mention of spanking. It put me in a dirty frame of mind.”
“So you were thinking about a different kind of dessert.”
“No.” I shake my head. “I mean yes. Wait, I mean no!” I shout as a light sheen of sweat breaks out on my lower back. I stand from my chair. “I need to make a phone call.”
“Okay.” He chuckles. “Do you want me to leave?” He thumbs toward the door.
“What? No,” I shout again and reach over to touch his arm, just to make sure he doesn’t go anywhere. What is happening to me? Get it together, Nora. “Don’t go anywhere. I just need to take this phone call quickly.” I hold up my phone, flashing a blank black screen.
I’m such a mess.
His eyes land on the black screen, and his brow furrows as they move back to mine. A small smile spreads across his lips. “Okay. I’ll wait here while you take that important phone call.”
“Thanks. Be right back.” I hold the phone up to my ear as I head back toward the bathrooms. “Hello? Oh, hey, one second,” I say to no one, continuing the world’s worst charade. When I reach the bathrooms, I quickly dial up my mom, the only person I can talk to about this, and pace back and forth until she picks up.
“Hey, honey, it’s late, you know.”
“Mom, I need your help,” I blurt.
“Are you in trouble?” Mom’s voice comes out panicked.
“Not the kind of life-ending trouble probably going through your mind. I’m safe, no need to worry about that. More of a moral trouble.”
“Sheesh, Nora. You gave me a heart attack.”
“I’m sorry, Mom, but this has to be a quick call. I have no time to mess around.”
“Okay, what’s going on?”
“Uh, well, I ran into a guy—”
“Oh, praise be to Jesus, my prayers have been answered.”
“Can you not right now? This is serious.”
“Sorry, okay. Proceed.”
“And I know this man because he used to, uh . . . be with one of my friends.” Keeping it vague might be best in this situation. I love my mom, but she’s a gossip, and if she found out I’m spending the evening with Cooper Chance, she would not be able to keep it to herself.
“Like, in a serious relationship?”
“Yes,” I answer. “But they went their separate ways, and it was a mutual parting. I ran into him, and we began talking, and, well . . . we’re hitting it off. And he’s so handsome, Mom, and I don’t think I’ve ever had this kind of connection with a man before.”
“So, you’re wondering if you’re breaking girl code by hanging out with him?”
“Basically. Am I a horrible friend?”
Mom sighs. “Honestly, my motto is act now, beg for forgiveness later. If they broke up amicably, then there shouldn’t be any reason for your friend to be mad about it. I believe there are only a few people in this lifetime that you can have a special connection with—don’t waste it because you’re nervous about what your friend might think. See where it goes, then broach the subject later with her if . . . let’s say this connection goes any further than tonight.”
I nibble on my finger and look out toward the bar, where I spot Cooper scanning through his phone.
“You think it’s okay?”
“Yes, sweetie. I say go for it, and then deal with the ramifications later.”
I squeeze my eyes shut, knowing she’s right. Dealia really didn’t love Cooper in the end. She told me that. So she can’t possibly be mad if I tell her, right?
“I really think I like him. It’s been so easy talking to him.”
“Then go for it. You work so hard. Don’t let this moment pass you up.”
“Okay.” I let out a deep breath. “I’m going to go for it.”
Mom squeals. “Promise you will tell me more later.”
“I’m not promising a thing.” I smile into the phone. “Love you, Mom. Thank you.”