I hope you don’t mind. I’ll wash it and put it back.”
Cooper walked in, wearing his boxer shorts. His hair was smashed to one side of his head. He made his way, barefoot, to the coffeemaker and poured himself a cup. He mumbled something that sounded vaguely like “Good morning,” but she couldn’t be sure.
Linnea leaned against the counter and eyed the couple, who acted like they barely knew each other, stepping aside, careful not to touch, with polite murmurs of excuse me and do you want a cup?
Linnea cupped her mug and tried not to giggle. “Did you sleep well?”
Cooper slid a glance toward Anna and hid his smile with his mug.
“Yeah. Great,” Anna replied before taking a sip.
“Good.” Linnea kept watching them. She couldn’t stop. It was like watching a sitcom. She didn’t know what was going to happen next. “I found a wonderful book. Kept me turning the pages until the wee hours of the morning.”
Anna said, “I heard you talking last night on the phone. Gordon?”
“Yes.”
Cooper leaned against the counter. “So, is he moving in?”
“Yes.”
Cooper lifted his mug as though in a toast. “Your call.”
She took a breath. “I’m glad you’re okay with it. Because we’re going to be cozy here with all four of us,” Linnea said, looking first at Anna, then at her brother. “Very cozy.”
Cooper rolled his eyes, then said, “I’ll take the first shower.” He ducked his head and made for the exit.
“Little Fox,” Linnea murmured to herself as she watched him sneak off.
The two women sipped coffee in an awkward silence. Finally, Anna spoke.
“I have to admit, I was surprised you agreed to let Gordon move in with you.”
“Okay. Let’s break that down,” Linnea said, straightening. “First, you were surprised about me letting Gordon move in? And not about Cooper?”
“Why wouldn’t you? He’s your brother.”
“And your boyfriend.”
Anna made a face. “Is he?” she crooned. “My boyfriend?” She shook her head.
“Whatever you call what’s going on between you.”
“What’s going on between you and Gordon?”
“I have no problem saying he is my boyfriend.”
“If you say so.”
Linnea sipped her coffee, scowling, wondering how much Cooper had told Anna of his feelings about Gordon.
“So,” Anna said, pulling out a bowl from the cabinet. “John is out and Gordon is in.”
“That’s right. Gordon is moving in with me.” The words felt strange in her mouth. “It’s not a bad thing, is it?” Linnea asked, as much to herself as to Anna.
“How would I know?” Anna poured homemade granola into the bowl. “Really, like Cooper said, it’s your call.”
Linnea set her coffee mug on the counter and vigorously scratched her head, groaning with frustration. “I’m going to break out in hives before this is over.”
“Look,” Anna said, turning to face her. “I’m not a professional on love, God knows. But if your body is sending you signals telling you that you don’t want him to move in with you, you have to pay attention to that.”
“I’m just nervous.”
Anna went to the fridge, pulled out the oat milk, then poured some over her cereal. “What I hear you saying is, maybe you’re just not that into him.”
Linnea looked at her, startled by the casually offered, shocking comment. “But I am. He’s wonderful. Kind. Intelligent. Handsome.”
“Okay, keep telling yourself that.” She smiled. “And who knows? Maybe it’s just the timing that has you spooked. The pandemic and everything.” She carried the bowl to the table and slid into a chair. “Or, you’re just not that into him.”
Linnea frowned and grabbed her mug, taking a long swallow of coffee. It was already cold.
Cooper reentered the room, dressed now in a navy sweatshirt over khaki shorts that revealed his tanned, hairy legs and a worn pair of docksiders. His hair was still wet from his shower.
“Uh-oh. This has the feeling of a chick talk. How about I take the dog for a walk?”
“Great,” Linnea said. She turned to Luna, whose large brown eyes stared at her adoringly. “Want to go for a walkie?” Immediately the puppy began shaking her rear in excitement. “Go on,” she said to the dog, wiggling her fingers toward Cooper. “Her leash is hanging by the door.”
They watched Cooper struggle with the wiggly puppy, saying over and over, “Sit. Sit. Sit.” At last he secured the leash and, with a wave, left the house.
“A boy and his dog,” Anna quipped.
“Yes. Exactly. A boy,” Linnea said with exaggerated meaning.
“Oh, come on. He’s not that young.”
“No?” Linnea brought her mug to the table and sat beside Anna. “You don’t