dark brew. Coughing, she set the mug down and prayed Sara and Hank would return to the table sooner than later.
“I thought this wasn’t your thing.”
She was wondering when he was going to get around to that. “It’s not,” she said slowly, her gaze now on the dance floor. “At least not anymore.”
Had she really said that out loud? She stifled a groan and clutched the cold mug.
“So what happened?”
Morgan took a moment and then slowly turned back to Cooper, a strange kind of feeling washing over her. One that left her aching inside. Since when did she share information? Especially with a man she barely knew?
But she did. “Life happened.”
Her therapist in California would be fist pumping all the way to China if he was here. Acknowledging your pain is the first step towards healing.
“It has a habit of doing that.” He paused. “I’m sorry.”
Her gaze fell to his lips, and something inside her stirred. She must be crazy. Or maybe three gulps of beer had already gone to her head, because Morgan found herself wondering what it would feel like to kiss him. Would he be strong and forceful? Soft and coaxing? Would he take his time or dive right in?
She tugged at a piece of hair and stuck it behind her ear before pulling upward on her turtleneck. That action drew Cooper’s gaze, and Morgan’s hand dropped like a stone. Heart pounding, she searched for something to say—anything to take the heat from her.
“What do you do out in the shop?” she asked quickly, doing what she did best—changing the subject.
Cooper sat back in his chair. “I work.”
His manner struck a chord in Morgan. His body shifted slightly. His eyes narrowed, lips tightened. He was hiding something. Suddenly much more interested, she leaned forward.
“You work. But what’s your job?”
He seemed to be considering his answer, and after taking a long pull from his beer, he set the mug on the table and arched an eyebrow at her. Seriously. Even his eyebrows were exquisite.
“What do you think I do?”
A shot of adrenaline rushed through her, and for a second, Morgan faltered. “I…” She frowned. “I don’t know.”
“That’s fine. Take your time. Consider all the possibilities. I’m curious to see what you come up with.”
A devilish grin touched his mouth, one that did nothing to calm her already fast-beating heart. He cocked his head to the side and waited for her response.
Morgan sat up a little straighter, fingers tracing a pattern in the condensation on her frosted mug. She pursed her lips, brows furrowed a bit, as a ridiculous idea took hold. “I think you’re like a superspy or something.”
He laughed outright. “Not just a regular old spy, but a super one.”
“Would a Simon be anything but?” The quip came fast and without thought, as did the smile that accompanied it.
Cooper stared at her for so long that she squirmed in her seat, and, nervous, she licked her lips.
“No,” he answered finally. “A Simon would be nothing less than a superspy.”
“In tights.” She tried to hide a smile but again failed.
“Definitely not tights. Maybe a military camouflage kind of deal, but no tights.”
“Okay. Green camouflage.” She paused. “What’s your superpower?”
“Seduction,” he replied without missing a beat.
“Really.” Mouth suddenly dry, Morgan took a sip from her mug of beer. “And how many missions have you been involved in?”
“That, Miss Campbell, is privileged information. I could tell you. But then I’d have to—”
“Kill me. I know.”
His smile reached a whole new level of yumminess. “Killing you isn’t exactly what I have in mind.”
Was he flirting with her?
Was she flirting back?
“Morgan?” A woman’s voice cut shut those thoughts down.
The shot of adrenaline inside her sputtered and died as quickly as the smile on her face. Her stomach clenched, suddenly filled with dread, and for a moment, Morgan thought she was going to be sick. Sweat broke out along her forehead, and she shook her head, hating how she felt but helpless to prevent it.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt.”
Morgan glanced up and found her voice. “Martha. I…I didn’t know you were in town.” Soft brown eyes stared back at her, peeking out from beneath hair still a gorgeous shade of silver. Though there were a few more wrinkles across her forehead and mouth, the woman looking down at her appeared no different from the last time Morgan had seen her.
“We’re back for Easter.”
Panic. Dread. Fear. It was all there inside her. Morgan wasn’t sure how long it took, but the question