Chapter 4

Turns out, I still kind of did. But I refused to let it show.

We ate in silence, except for Cooper’s pleasure noises, and before long, the plates were clear. I took his and mine to the sink, turning my back on him as I ran water to wash them. I all but had a neon sign over my head proclaiming “ignoring you,” but Cooper didn’t seem to get the hint. He hovered nearby, his big body always in my peripheral vision, trying to catch my attention. I pointedly did not give it to him.

“I hadn’t forgotten how stubborn you could be,” he said when I finally shut off the water. “But I did think this would be a little easier.”

I pressed my lips in a tight line.

“I just want to talk, Jonah. To clear the air.”

At that, I whirled to face him. A few soap suds flew off my hand as I gestured wildly. “You want to talk? Now? You left me, if you remember. You were the one who walked away. I wanted to talk three fucking years ago, but you wouldn’t. But nowyou want to talk?”