The food was taking forever, and a little part of me wondered if Cooper had them hold our order in the kitchen so I wouldn't stop talking.
"I asked Mrs. Prescott if someone like me could be a teacher? I remember that upset her. She actually cried a little. She told me that no matter where I was living or who my parents were or how little money I had if I worked hard I could get into school. Any school, she said. Start at a community college. Do whatever I could manage, but if I believed in the dream, I could be a teacher."
Wiping my eyes, I was glad the restaurant wasn't very busy. Cooper watched me with an odd expression, though. Somewhere between sad and angry.
"I stayed in her class the whole year, and it was the best year of my life. I kept worrying we would move. We did a few times, but always stayed in the area. Every time my dad said we might move, I'd beg him and my mom to stay close so I could keep Mrs. Prescott. I don't know if they did it on purpose, but we stayed. One of the hardest things I ever did was say goodbye to Mrs. Prescott. She would sneak me treats and even gave me Emily's hand-me-downs. That last day of school, we were moving out of the state, and I wouldn't see her again. I hugged Mrs. Prescott so tight because I wanted to stay with her. As long as I saw her every day, I had hope. She told me to keep in touch and I did. I still write to her every month, and she tells me how she knows I'll be a great teacher."
Drying my face with a napkin, I shrugged. "That's why I want to be a teacher."
Cooper stared at me for another minute and then let out an unsteady breath. "Then you'll be a teacher. I can read people, and I know when they're bullshitting themselves. When you talk about it, I know it'll happen. People like you make it happen."
Smiling slightly, I watched him. "I've never told anyone that except for Tawny."
"Aren't you glad I bullied it out of you?"
Nodding, I smiled wider. "Yeah, actually. It felt liberating."
Cooper leaned forward and caressed my cheek. "You have a million walls up, baby. When I saw them the first time you walked into Spanish class, I told myself you were too much effort, but I was a fool. You're worth every ounce of trouble you give me."
"Oh, and I give you trouble as part of my devious plan?"
"No doubt about that. There's your finger. Here's me wrapped around it."
Laughing again because of his earnest expression, I felt lighter since sharing my story. Mostly, I felt like I had a stronger connection to Cooper. As if I showed him a never healing wound and he didn't poke at it. He wasn't what I expected, and I liked how he surprised me.
The food arrived soon after I finished telling my story. Even with no proof, I knew Cooper kept them from serving us until he got what he wanted first. The food was hot, though, and I wondered if they had to remake it because people who came in after us were already eating.
No matter the timing, I didn't care once I took a bite. Moaning quietly, I smiled at him.
"Best Italian in the state," Cooper said. "Of course, it's Kentucky, so that might not mean much, but it's fucking good."
"It is very fucking good." Cooper's eyes locked on mine, and he gave me his "jeans were too tight" look. "You have issues," I teased. "Like maybe you need to see a doctor."
"It's been two weeks since I've had a release. You had to be so hot, didn't you?"
"Not even your hand?" I whispered.
"Well, that hardly counts."
"See, that's your problem right there. You're spoiled. Lower your standards and life will get easier."
Cooper laughed. "Is that your way of saying I won't get any help this evening?"
"I grant you permission to imagine me while alone with your hand. Is that the help you were looking for?"
"I've already done all kinds of things with you in my head. So no, that won't be enough help."
"I'm not having sex with you," I said and then added, "Tonight."
Cooper leaned back and grinned brightly. "Ah, finally the disclaimer."
"I think about you when I'm alone," I whispered.
Cooper's expression sent me into hysterics. Everything from horny, shock and joyous relief got stuck into one weird facial expression. Even after I was laughing, he seemed unable to respond.
"You're a wicked little bitch, aren't you?" he finally said, adjusting in his chair.
"Stop calling me a bitch."
"I call everyone that. My sisters, my dogs even the male ones, my brother, my Harleys. I called a squirrel a bitch yesterday. To be fair, the little furry bitch had it coming."
Laughing behind my hand, I finally settled down and returned to eating. "I don't masturbate. What's it like?"
Cooper spit out his soda and then glared at me. "You timed that."
"Yes, I did. It's not fun having someone mess with you, is it?"
"Oh, it's on. Since you asked, masturbating is a great stress-releaser. You know what else is?"
"Is this going to make me vomit?"
"Probably," he said, laughing. "Yeah, I should wait until you finish eating. Dry heaves are the worst."
Chewing and laughing, I struggled not to choke. When I finally settled down, I took a sip of my soda.
"I'm glad you asked me out tonight."
Cooper's ornery expression faded into a soft smile. "I wanted it to be like this. Ever since the bullshit on Sunday, I wanted another chance and for it to be like this. It feels really good, doesn't it?"
There was a genuine need in his question, and I smiled. "It feels great, Cooper. Better than I've felt in a long time."
"And you haven't even enjoyed a cannoli yet."
Grinning, we finished our pasta and then sat back and waited for dessert.
"I know tonight will be no more than some very heavy petting," Cooper said full of sincerity. "I know my hand, and I will have to finish the job without you. I know all that so don't freak out when I ask this question. Deal?"
"Ask first."
Cooper grinned. "This weekend, I'd like you to come to my house and hang out. We have the pool and a TV the size of this restaurant. Oh, a pool table too. It'll be fun, and I'd like to spend time with you like we did tonight. You're pretty irresistible when you're relaxed."
"But I'm resistible when I'm tense? I've been tense since we met so why do you keep asking me out?"
"Fine, you're irresistible period, but you're especially sexy when you let yourself be you. Teasing me like that was pretty awesome. Though I think I really might need medical attention now."
As I nearly spit out my drink, Cooper laughed. Suddenly, I wasn't Farah Smith. I had no past or future. I was in this single moment with this beautiful, funny man who wanted me. I didn't worry if he'd want me tomorrow or next week. At this moment, we were perfect, and I embraced the feeling.
"I would like to come over this weekend."
Cooper's amusement faded, and he studied me. "You feel it, right? It's not just me because I can't have it be just me."
"I feel it," I softly said.
"Thank God. I was going nuts thinking I'd suffered a brain injury without noticing."
"I don't have a swimsuit," I lied. "I'll need to get one."
My swimsuit was on its last thread, having been worn going on six years. I wondered if I could find a new one under twenty dollars.
"You could just wear one of Bailey's. She has a million, and she'd share. She likes you."
"I like her too," I said and then frowned. "Will your parents be there? Bailey said I couldn't come into the house without them there."
Cooper's lack of a reaction told me Bailey was blowing smoke up my ass to get me to talk to her brother. I sighed at how easily they played me.
"Chicks lie," he said, shrugging. "What can I tell you?"
"If she'd let me borrow one, that would be great. There's no pool at our apartment complex, and I'd hate to buy a suit if I'm not going to use it a lot."
"Stick with me, baby, and I'll have you running around half-naked twelve hours out of the day. You'll be naked the other twelve."
"I was wondering where horny Cooper went?"
"Speaking of twenty-four seven," he said, giving me a wink. "I hope the horniness will get easier after I've gotten a taste."
"You're kinda gross, you know?"
Cooper wiggled his eyebrows. "Haven't you heard? I'm very talented at that sort of thing."
"Who would I have heard that from?"
"Skye."
"You and Skye?"
"No, but she knows. Ask her."
"No way."
"You'll ask her," Cooper said, glancing over my shoulder at the arriving waiter. "You're curious now."
"Maybe."
The waiter set down our desserts, and I took no time digging in. The food was so good that I had a physical reaction to it almost like when Cooper kissed me. My body softened and relaxed in a weird comforting way.
"Good, huh?" he said, eating half and then leaving the rest for me to finish.
"Aren't you hungry?" I asked, wanting more.