But Kayla’s mom had superhero hearing, and this time proved to be no exception. “Was that a man I just heard?”
“What? A man?” Kayla paced and forced a laugh. “No, of course it wasn’t a man. It was the TV. That’s all you heard.”
“It didn’t sound like the TV.” Kayla heard a car door shut through the earpiece. “I’m coming over now.”
“No, don’t come yet. I’m not ready.” Kayla stopped in front of Cooper and nudged him, glowering at him. “I’m alone.”
Cooper sat up and rubbed his eyes. He looked confused as to why Kayla might be shooting daggers at him with her scowl. She gave him an even dirtier look.
“I don’t believe you.”
Kayla sighed. “Mom, if someone was here, why would I lie about it?”
“Well…” Her mom hesitated. “Did you and your boyfriend break up? What’s his name, anyway?”
“Cooper. His name is Cooper,” she said. Cooper’s head snapped up, and he looked at her. “And no, we didn’t break up. I’m alone, and you heard the TV.”
“All right,” her mom said.
“So I’ll call you when I’m ready. Okay?”
Her mom fell silent. It seemed like she finally believed her. And then…
Another phone rang. Cooper’s phone. And it was loud. Cooper scrambled to silence it, but it was too late. Her mother heard it. “I knew it. You’re not alone.”
Kayla sank onto the bed, looking at Cooper with panic coursing through her veins. “Mom…”
“Did you bring him? Is Cooper with you?”
He must have heard the question, because he grabbed Kayla’s arm and nodded rapidly. Then he mouthed, “Say yes. Tell her I’m here.”
“Um…” Kayla blinked at him and shook her head. He nodded more enthusiastically. “Well…”
She took a deep breath. Did she dare? Was he suggesting she say her boyfriend was here? With her? But then what? Was he ready and willing to play the part? That seemed insane. He sighed and reached for the phone, but Kayla slapped his hand away. “You’re right! It’s Cooper! We wanted to…to…” Kayla looked at him.
He whispered, “Surprise you. Say it.”
“We wanted to surprise you all,” Kayla finished, watching him the whole time. “So don’t come get me. We’ll come together.”
Cooper nodded.
“Oh, this is the best surprise ever.” Her mom clapped and let out a whoop. “We’re finally meeting him. I can’t believe it! I’m going to tell everyone.”
Kayla winced. “You don’t have to—” The line clicked off. Her mom had hung up on her. “—tell everyone,” Kayla finished to the dead line, lowering her phone to her lap.
Cooper grinned at her. He looked way too cheerful considering the circumstances. “So, I’m coming to the wedding?”
“Are you insane?” Kayla lurched to her feet. “Why in God’s name would you offer to go to my sister’s wedding with me?”
He shrugged, then his gaze dipped over her body. “I was the one who ruined your cover story. It felt right. You needed help, so I offered it.”
“It felt right?” She threw her arms out to the side. “The knight in shining armor act was cute last night, and it was well-rewarded, I’d say.” She gestured to the rumpled bed. “But now, even with the booze out of your system…how can you be this…this…sweet? Seriously?”
He cocked a brow. “I’m not fucking sweet. Puppies are fucking sweet. Not me.”
It wasn’t until Cooper cleared his throat and forced his eyes northward that Kayla remembered one tiny little detail. She was freaking naked. He might have seen it all last night when she’d had the courage of vodka in her, and she might have been A-Okay with that then.
But now, in the light of day?
Yeah, not so cool with it.
She whipped the comforter off of the bed and wrapped it around her shoulders. “Fine. You’re not sweet. But what the hell are you?”
He shrugged. “I’m in town earlier than I need to be, so I have nothing to do besides wait to ship out. You needed a man, and since your family heard me over the phone, I offered to fill that position. We already get along nicely, and I’ve obviously enjoyed spending time with you,” he said dryly. “So it’s hardly a hardship for me to spend more time with you. That’s who I am. That’s me.”
Kayla watched him. This guy, this man, was an anomaly. She couldn’t read him at all. Ninety percent of single men would say anything—hell, do anything—to get laid. And the married men weren’t much better. But that wasn’t what he wanted. He’d already gotten that without asking. But he seemed to care.