Page 16 of Driving Beats

I didn’t spend time with UC at their compound in Nice. However, my room overlooked the water and I got to snorkel with a very hot teacher. My fingers cover my mouth. Who knew how to kiss. Among other things.

“The French know how to enjoy life, for sure. Not to mention their fashion-sense! I loved how the women always were dressed to perfection. The guys, too, were the definition of trendy. Which isn’t to say the vibes in Italy, Spain, and Portugal weren’t off the chain, too. Heck, I even got you UC boys into stores in both Milan and Barcelona. I count that as a win!”

He glances over to me. “Do you always do that?”

My eyebrows pucker between my eyes. “Do what?”

“Answer a simple question with an entire story?”

I push against the black leather seat. Seems as if a guy with such a luxurious ride should be able to enjoy the finer things in life. Clothes definitely qualify. “I prefer to give color to my answers. Not stick only to the facts, like someone in this car who I won’t name.” I cross my arms.

“Noted.”

We travel in silence, the GPS’s disembodied voice providing the only soundtrack. I want to ask him why we don’t have any music on, considering that’s his life, but I don’t see any point in engaging.

“You have arrived at your destination.”

Coop pulls into a parking spot and unlocks the doors. Not waiting for any of his controlling ways—what I’m sure he considers to be “gentlemanly manners”—I hop out and speedwalk to the entrance. Coop’s longer legs transport him beside me without any effort. Damn man must have five inches or more on me. Maybe I’ll wear heels tomorrow?

Inside, we walk toward the elevators. When we stop, he places his hand on my forearm. “I didn’t mean to offend you, Nese. This whole luggage thing has put me off balance.”

At least he recognizes how rude he was. No use in making a federal case out of it. I punch his arm. “He speaks!”

The cab opens and we get on, taking it to the sixth floor. Inside my room, I say, “Have a seat on the chair, as I’ll use the bed to fill up my suitcases.” He does as he’s told—another plus.

After unzipping my two large suitcases, I walk over to the closet and bring my clothes to the bed. As I’m folding, I ask, “We already discussed what I had planned for this break. What are yours?”

Turning his head, he looks out the window. Overlooking the parking lot. “There’s a Zen meditation retreat.”

“How long is it?” If it’s thirty days, that would explain why he wants to finish shopping quickly. He’s probably already missed day one.

“It’s four separate week-long classes. One session started today, which I obviously missed. I can take the next three weekly classes, though.”

I nod. Besides hating shopping for clothes, he wanted to do this retreat. “Did you pre-pay? Maybe you can get your money back?”

His lips curl upward. “I made a donation.”

He doesn’t offer any more information, so I continue to fold my clothes and put them into my suitcases. I almost drop my dress when he says, “I’ve been to these retreats before. I find the guided meditation rewarding, plus meeting more people who share my philosophy sparks interesting conversations.”

Have to give credit to Coop. He does come out with some interesting nuggets. “Do you practice Zen?”

“I follow Zen, yes. I also enjoy some aspects of Buddhism. They’re both wonderful philosophies.”

I fold a pair of trousers. “Sounds like it grounds you.”

He considers my comment. “In a way, it does. Helps me make sense of things going on around me.”

I’m happy he found his own guiding star. Me? If Ma taught me anything, it’s that all religions can fuck off. I veer away from thinking about her. “Like Bennett and Jenna getting together? Río and Hayden?”

“Not really Bennett. He’s been a lost soul for a while, and I really appreciate how Jenna’s brought him out. They make a good couple, even if it did take a while for them to realize it.” He chuckles.

“Did you have any issues with the fact she dated Darren before?” I’ve learned this bothered 007. A lot.

“Nah. I mean, it was weird to have her back on tour with UC at first. When she was dating Darren, she only came with us a few random times. He did talk about her nonstop, though, so it was like she was with us.” He shakes his head. “I’m happy for Bennett.”

“Their wedding was sweet. Especially having TLR play. Bennett’s house out in Long Island is something, for sure.”

“It was a night unlike any other. Too bad her mother …” He trails off.