I grab my keys and head over to the Townsend’s. If I’m lucky, Cooper won’t be there, and I can get the mystery item and be gone without seeing him.

When I pull in to the drive, I realize that, of course, luck isn’t on my side. Luck is never on my side, and this time, she seems to be sitting back and laughing at me.

Cooper isn’t just home. He’s on the porch, shirtless, fixing the chain on the porch swing.

Great.

I exit the car, and he turns to look at me as a lazy smile forms on his lips. “Grace.” Cooper’s warm voice washes over me.

“Coop.” I grin back as my gaze rakes over his bare chest, and I try not to drool. Dear Lord, he’s even better than I imagined without a shirt. The sun, which is setting behind me, is shining over every ridge and dip on his glorious body. The man is sinful. “Mama sent me over for something that your mama has?”

He chuckles. “You believe that load of crap?”

I look down as I shake my head. “Nope, but I knew they’d call and make sure I did it. Figure it’s best to play it safe.”

He steps off the ladder and moves toward me. “Don’t you think we’re a little old to be pushed into seeing each other?”

“I don’t see you comin’ around to see me,” I retort.

“I thought it was your move.”

“I thought you knew that wasn’t going to happen.”

Cooper keeps moving toward me as I stand still. I don’t know what I’m supposed to say to him. I feel out of sorts and slightly uncomfortable. “I hoped.” His voice is low and gravelly as he speaks.

My eyes stay connected to his. “You did?”

He pushes a piece of hair out of my eyes. “Wasn’t I clear?”

I guess he was . . . he and Presley basically spelled it out. Still, I’m not used to forward. I’ve had over twenty years of hidden meanings and half-truths with Trent. I don’t really know if my compass is pointing in the wrong direction or if I’m on the right track with men. Men say women are confusing, but I have news for them—they’re no freaking better.

“All I know is that we danced. It was a lovely dance, but we had no plans after that.”

His big hand wraps around my wrist. “I think we’ve been dancing around this for a while now.”

“When did you get so bold?” I ask, trying to control the shake in my voice.

“When you became single.”

That’s a good answer. “Oh.”

“Oh?”

I’m not sure what he expects me to say. “This is a little weird for me, Coop. I’ve known you forever. I remember all the embarrassing things you went through, including when you liked *NSYNC.” I lift a brow, daring him to refute me. “I’m trying to wrap my head around you getting all broody male on me.”

He tugs my arm and grins. “I’ve always been this way. You were just looking at another man. I’ve been biding my time.”

Huh. Who would’ve known? Not me. I clearly missed all the signs.

“And,” Cooper tacks on, “I never liked *NSYNC.”

“Sure, buddy. Whatever you need to tell yourself.”

A throaty chuckle escapes him. “There’s a lot we know about each other, and even more that neither of us has a clue about. All I’m asking for is a chance to talk, to get to know you. There are a lot of subjects I’d like to touch on.”

“I bet.” When his eyes drift to my chest, it’s clear that the subjects he wants to touch on aren’t fishing or sports, but I let that go. I don’t need to think about him touching me. “Go put a shirt on,” I shake my head.

“Am I making you uncomfortable?” Cooper gleams.

“Nooo. ”

Yes.

“Uh-huh.” His eyes brighten and he gestures to the house. “Come on inside. I’ll get the mystery package our mothers concocted to get us together.”

I nod and thank God that Cooper let me out of this very uncomfortable exchange. Yet, it isn’t so much that I feel awkward. It’s that these are unfamiliar waters. Cooper is right. I don’t know what he’s like as an adult.

After Presley left for college I still saw him, but we never spent any time together. When we did see each other, our conversations were casual. I don’t know why he stayed in Bell Buckle or why he stopped working on cars or at the rodeo. I have no clue if he still likes rock music or if he’s more of a country guy now. Clearly, he doesn’t like boy bands anymore, but the truth is . . . I know nothing about the man that Cooper has become.

The reality that Cooper is a mystery comes crashing around me. From one step to the next, I realize I have never really looked at Cooper as if he were an adult. My eyes flick to the sculpted flex of muscles as he walks and then to the two dimples on the small of his back. A flush crawls up my neck, and I focus on the ground in front of me instead of the man. Cooper is all grown up.

We get inside and head to the kitchen. “Here.” He extends the envelope.

“This is what she needed me to get right away?”

“I’m thinkin’ it was more about who would hand it to you,” he suggests. “And I’m not a man that lets opportunities like this slip away.” Cooper moves closer.

Oh shit. I’m not ready for this. I don’t know how I feel about anything. It’s been two weeks, well, technically three weeks since I ended things with Trent, but still! I know deep down in my heart that while I may think Cooper is hot, I don’t feel like that for him, at least not right this moment. My heart is still very deeply attached to Trent. I may wish I could’ve severed that tie completely when I decided to end things with him, but that was impossible. It’s been years that my heart has been forging that bond. It’s strong and requires time to loosen its resolve.

It wouldn’t be fair to Cooper—or me.

“Cooper,” I warn. “Listen, I appreciate that you’re being very . . . forthright in your advances. I really do. It’s nice being around a man who knows what he wants for once, but I have to be honest with you.”

He takes another step closer as I step back. “I know what the next words out of your mouth are gonna be.”

“I doubt that.”

“You’re going to say that you’re still in love with Trent. That it’s too soon and that you’re not ready for anything new. Am I close?”