I’ve never been in love, and I’ve definitely never been attached to one woman like Coop’s attached to Abby.
“Are you thinking about getting out?”
His guilty eyes meet mine, and in that moment, I have my answer.
“I’d never desert you, Ethan. But ten years is a long time to run for your life.”
“You love the game.”
“I do, but I think I love her more.”
With a tired sigh, I stare out across the dark field and let his words sink in. For the first time in his life, there’s something Coop loves more than the job. He and Abby haven’t spent more than a week together at any given time, and yet the two of them have formed a connection that’s undeniable. Coop’s her missing half, and she is his. I’ve never been one to believe in something like true love or soul mates, but they’ve made believers out of me.
And I’m jealous.
“Where will you go? For vacation?”
I rub the back of my neck. “I suppose I should make the yearly visit to my parents.”
“I bet your mom bakes something,” Coop says with a sigh. “Jillian’s oatmeal raisin cookies are still the best I’ve ever tasted.”
I grin. “I’ll bring you some. So, I guess you’re headed to Atlanta? That’s where the girls are. We can drop you off and then I’ll head on up to Nashville.”
“You don’t have to do that. I’ll just catch a flight out of LAX.”
“It’s no problem.” Honestly, I’m in no hurry to see my folks. The longer I can delay my visit, the happier I’ll be. “Go call your girl.”
“Maybe you should call yours.”
“I don’t have one.”
He smirks. “Whatever you say.”
The two of us stand up and walk toward the plane. While Coop makes his call, I tell Gabe about our vacation plans.
“We’re going to Georgia? Miss York is in Georgia.”
My pilot all but skips onboard. This little crush of his is getting on my nerves.
“By the way, I’m docking your pay for her little Mexican vacation,” I tell him as I buckle my seatbelt.
Gabe laughs, clearly not worried in the least. His bank account isn’t nearly as hefty as mine, but it’s probably close.
“You told me to take her anywhere she wished to go.”
“And she wished for Mexico?”
“Acapulco. She was very specific.”
“I’m sure she was.”
I grab the nearest magazine and flip through the pages. Gabe continues babbling about Jenna, and I pretend to ignore him while I desperately hang on to every word.
“We talked about you a lot. I think she likes you.”
I’m physically unable to keep my ears from perking up like a dog’s.
“Well, you think wrong. That girl hates me.”
“There’s a thin line between love and hate. Very, very thin.”
He finally shuts up long enough to file the flight plan. A few minutes later, Coop climbs onboard, whistling happily as he takes his seat.
“You look better.”
“I feel better. Get this. The girls are in a little town called Coop erville, Georgia.”
I laugh. “Must be a sign.”
“That’s what Abby said.”
“How was their Monet operation?”
“Successful.”
Of course it was.
Coop beams, a sure sign he’s much happier now that he knows he’s going to get to spend some quality time with his woman. “Apparently, there isn’t much to do there. We’re supposed to meet them at this bar out near the county line. She’s texting me the address.”
“What’s this we ? I’m headed to Tennessee, remember?”
“Oh, I remember. But you’ll never convince me you don’t want to see Jenna, so don’t even embarrass yourself by trying.”
I hear Gabe laugh from the pilot’s seat.
“Why don’t you just fly the damn plane!”
The two of them laugh as we taxi down the runway and fly off into the California night.
The bar’s a rundown, wooden cabin deep in the Georgia pines. Loud country music blares and neon lights flash in the windows. The parking lot is full of pickup trucks and Jeeps.
To be honest, I’m a little scared. Our pretty asses might get