that swirled in multi colors describing drinks that I’d only ever heard of on TV. Instead of getting a regular coffee with no sugar and light cream, I settled on something I’d never had before. Because why not? Having so few memories meant I had so little experiences. With Erik’s over protective nature, there was hardly ever a chance to have a new one.
“I’ll take a caramel macchiato, please.” I reached into my purse, but he waved me off.
“I got it.”
I distinctly remembered telling him it would be my treat, but I didn’t argue. The table vibrated as my leg shook beneath it, grazing the frame. The bravery that brought me here suddenly seemed fleeting. Dispersing like the froth on top of a latte. Maybe this had been a mistake. Maybe it was just my need to get out of the house and do something other than hide away. Maybe it was a betrayal that I wasn’t trying to see.
If Erik knew I was here, it would devastate him. The thought of devastating him sent me into a whirlwind of emotions that I couldn’t describe. The world tilted, and I put my hand on the table to keep from eating the floor. I turned in my seat, ready to flee from the coffee shop and never think of it again, but Cooper walked up with the latte in his hand. The dimple peeked out again.
And I froze, half poised in my seat.
“Here you go.” He set it in front of me.
“I... thank you. Really, but on second thought, this was probably a bad idea.”
“Well, you’re already here. So why not tell me what you wanted to talk about.” Cooper sat down and picked up his cup, rolling it back and forth between his palms. No wedding ring.
I should not have noticed that.
I sipped my latte. The combination of warm coffee and sweet caramel hit my tongue like an explosion of amazing flavor. It took every bit of self control not to moan. I sipped it again, wanting to relish in it, and forget everything else around me.
Cooper's amused look made heat rise to my cheeks. Okay, so I shouldn’t have been slugging it back like it was the only time I’d ever had coffee.
But it was so good!
I set it back on the table and cleared my throat. The distraction pushed some of my anxiety back. I straightened in my seat and licked the taste of coffee off my lips.
“Cooper... I came here because I wanted to ask you about the other day at the grocery store.”
He leaned back in his seat, crossed his legs at the ankle and folded his hands in his lap. “Still getting to you, huh?”
“That’s putting it mildly,” I said.
“Stuff like this can be traumatic. It’s understandable that you’re still shaken. Did you speak with your partner about it?”
“Partner?”
He nodded to the ring on my hand. “I assume you have a husband or wife.”
Instinctively, I twisted the gold band on my finger. “Husband. And, no. I haven’t.”
“Why is that?” He kept his voice neutral.
Probably from years of practice as a psychiatrist, but I could almost see the worrisome thoughts in his brown eyes.
“That’s not important,” I said. “He’s away on business, anyway. But this is about the man at the store.”
“Okay,” Cooper nodded. “Tell me how I can help.”
Help me find out who he is—who I am.
“I just don’t understand. He acted as if he knew me.” Despite my nerves, I took another sip of the coffee.
How anyone could not love caramel was beyond me. I didn’t swallow right away, instead relishing in the flavor as it lingered on my tongue. Caramel must have been one of my favorites before the accident. Erik had never mentioned it or even brought it into the house before. But if I loved it this much, shouldn’t he have known?
Cooper rubbed his thumb along his jaw. It made my stomach clench. Despite myself, despite not wanting to, I found Cooper attractive. And not passively either. I wanted to take him home and have him explore every inch of my body. Show me new things that Erik had never thought of—like the caramel.
If that didn’t make me a horrible person, I’m fairly certain nothing would. Who dreamed of being with another man when their husband was on a business trip, making enough money so I could stay safe and at home? Sure, I could fool myself into saying this was just about the man who accosted me at the market,