Page 42 of Driving Beats

Coop touches my chin. “Hey. You’re Nese fucking Dalton, stylist extraordinaire. No one compares.” He smiles.

I offer a watery grin.

As if by tacit agreement, we continue the trek to his Rover in comfortable silence. I never thought of silence as being comfortable before. With Coop, it is.

After we return to his mansion, I say, “I’m still pretty full from dim sum, but I could have another slice of the bread I made yesterday.” I try to bump his shoulder but realize I’m too short, so I end up punching his tummy instead. “Join me?”

He rubs his stomach. “While it sounds enticing, I better not if I want to fit into any of my new clothes.” He opens his mouth as if to say something more, but shuts it without expanding.

“I’ll leave you plenty if you change your mind.”

He takes a couple of steps down the hall. “I’m going to meditate now. Enjoy the bread.”

“I will!” I go in the opposite direction, toward the kitchen where I cut a new slice, slather it in butter with a dash of cinnamon, and place it at the banquette. Perhaps I encouraged him to meditate, given my full-blown confession about the cult? Although he didn’t seem too put off by it.

Still, it’s crazy he pulled this information out of me when neither Jenna nor Hayden did. I guess they were too busy handling their men during the tour. They certainly had their hands full.

I take a bite and all my thoughts sail far away from my days in the cult where I had to cook the same bland meals daily. This bread is fantastic. My new cookbook is probably filled with more delicious bites.

After his kitchen is clean, I return to my room and flip through the recipes, dogearing some promising options. Coop’s driving me everywhere, spending his money on clothes I know he doesn’t want, and listening to my sorry tales. The least I can do is make him a meal.

Time passes and I finish flipping through my book as well as scrolling the internet for additional stylish outfits for Coop to consider. Bored, I wander into his Zen Garden and rake some sand. Not because it’s out of place, but for something to do. Plus, the noise it makes is soothing.

Tired, I lean the rake against the fence and sit on a bench, trying to clear my mind like Coop says he does in meditation. I attempt to focus for a few minutes, but give up. This meditation stuff isn’t for me! Back on my feet, I wander through his house until I end up at his pool.

It’s a lap pool, complete with a diving board at the deep end. Kelvin preached that swimming pools encourage bad behavior because everyone is wearing next to nothing. Considering I’m the only person here, how much bad behavior can I get into alone?

Taking off my sandals to expose my painted toenails, I stick my big toe into the water, which is the perfect temperature. Lowering myself, I roll up my pants to just over my knees and sit at the pool’s edge. Resting my head between my shoulder blades, I let the sun kiss my body.

Refocusing on the pool, I wipe the sweat off my face. I want to dive in, fully clothed, to cool down, but this shirt is delicate. I scan the area, confirming I’m all alone. In any event, it’s Coop’s pool—not open to the public.

Getting to my wet feet, I strip out of my clothes and place them on a nearby lounger. For a second, I allow the sun to caress every inch of my naked body, then dive into the pristine water.

Freedom feels fabulous.

13

COOP

After thirty solid minutes, I stand up in my Reflection Room, completing a successful meditation session for the first time in a long while. Lillian didn’t even make an appearance, reminding me of the bet Nese and I made at the bookstore. I chuckle. I’m never going to enjoy clothes shopping.

In my bedroom, I consider my options, but nothing appeals. I’m not in the mood to read right now. My gaze lands on my phone. I could call Río, but he’s probably too busy with Hayden. Don’t need to hear him with her—been there, done that way too many times with too many different women.

Besides, UC respected my time with Lillian. Despite which, I since learned, they all hated her. Because of that, we made a pact to tell each other how we truly felt about a woman they were seriously dating. So far, Jenna and Hayden are keepers. Although it took 007 a long while to come around to our lead singer’s choice.

My cell rings, and Andy’s name appears. It’s been a hot minute since I talked with my brother. I answer it. “Hey, how are you doing?”

“Great,” my brother replies. “I just found out we’re going to have another baby! We’ve got the elder sibling and the dog. Now we’ll be the perfect family.”

My stomach drops to the floor. “Congratulations.” I choke out. “How far along is she?”

“Oh, we have seven months to go. Which means we have to set up the crib, changing table, all that stuff all over again. I can’t wait! Being a father is the best thing in the world, you know.”

No. I don’t. Because I was supposed to have babies with Lillian, but that was a bust… to put it mildly. What is the proper reply? Oh, right. “I’m happy for you.”

“Thanks. And while my job doesn’t compare to yours, I did get a promotion at work. None too soon, if you ask me, as kids cost a lot.” He breaks off laughing at his own joke.

After a beat, a melancholy smile crosses my lips. “Hey, that’s great. I’m happy both your professional and home lives are doing so well.”