Lost Chances (13 page)

"What does almost good news mean?"

"It means, when you played last at the club, a scout for a big music producer happened to be there and he loved your music. This is huge. Gabe is one of Jay's closest friends. If he likes what he hears, then you're in!" The background sounds in the phone sounded muffled for a second and then it got clearer. "Sorry. I've got someone on the other phone waiting, but I had to tell you the news."

"When you say Jay, you don't mean Jay Morgan, founder and owner of Morgan's Music Productions?"

"Yes! Okay, I've got to go, but keep your fingers crossed."

The phone clicked off and he could only stand there with the phone still to his ear. Then he started jumping up and down. He couldn’t stop smiling, even when his cheeks started to hurt. He had a date with Sophia and now he might actually be getting somewhere with his music. This was the best damn day of his life.

Crazy how bad he wanted to go to Sophia and tell her the news. Not yet, though. He had to know it was really happening before he told anyone. Then, no one would pity him if it all fell through.

Damn. Jay Morgan. He produced so many famous country singers and now Cooper could be one of those same people he'd looked up to and envied for so long. The big stage with a crowd of people had been a dream nearly forgotten.

He put his phone away and walked inside to work some more on the upstairs to the house. Soon, he'd be taking out the girl of his dreams and that was all he needed to worry about.

He went to work on the yard with a huge smile still glued to his face. It stayed there when he heard a car coming back up the drive, but was disappointed to see it wasn't Sophia.

Instead, a little silver
sports car rode slowly toward him. He stood and watched as the blonde stepped out in high heels, a black skirt that stopped a couple inches above her knees, and a dark blue blouse that fit tight around her breasts. A pretty woman, but a little fake to him.

"Can I help you?"

"Yes, are you Cooper? I'm sorry, but I don't think I got a last name when we spoke on the phone."

Ah, the realtor. He could see that in the way she dressed. "That's okay. Cooper is my last name, but ever
yone calls me that. It's Sebastian Cooper. I actually just remember your first name."

"It's a long one. Rodenbelcher. You can most definit
ely call me Michelle. I never expect anyone to say my last name correctly." She laughed and held her hand out.

He grimaced at the dirt on his hands. "I don't think you want to shake my hand. I've been working outside."

"I understand. I know I'm a little early to look around, but I finished earlier than expected with another client. Is it okay if we go ahead and check everything out?"

Damn, he completely forgot he'd even set up a mee
ting and wasn't a hundred percent he still wanted to sell. If he and Sophia worked out, then he wanted his home to be right there. No matter if he got a music contract or not.

"Sure. I will mention that I'm not real sure I want to sell. It's hard to give this home up and I may have a reason to stay in town. So, if this is going to waste your time, I completely understand if you want to wait until I know for sure. Either way, I've got some remodeling to do before I sell it." He’d hate for her to put too much work into it until he made up his mind.

She smiled. "You're not wasting my time. How about I check around to see what I'll be working with, and if you decide to go ahead, then we'll get everything else started."

"Alright, just follow me. Be prepared for a mess. I plan on getting the hardwood waxed and see how it looks before I decide if I want to replace it. Then I know for certain I'll be repainting and will replace the cabinets and countertops in the kitchen area. The roof will need to be done and the outside will be repainted too. This is my only obligation at the moment, so I'm hoping to be done with it by Dece
mber." Leaving him with only two months to go.

"That's a lot of work, but I know it'll look great." She touched his arm.

It didn't take long to walk through the house. She took notes on her tablet and took pictures along the way. He noticed she was a touchy feely person, which he didn't care for. If she'd been Sophia, he'd have killed for her touch, although maybe not when he was sweaty and dirty from working.

"Everything is great. If you're able, I would suggest changing the light fixtures too and the gold faucets. The floors just look like they need waxing, like you said. People will love this if you put it on the market. I don't think I'll have any problem selling your home once you're finished. Just give the go ahead and we'll get it going." She touched his shoulder and left it there a little longer this time.

Cooper stepped off the stairs to break the hold and hopefully give her the message that the meeting was done. "I do have a question. What is the best restaurant outside the town to take a girl on a first date?"

He might've read the signs wrong, but if she thought he was seeing someone, then maybe she'd stop the flirty gestures.

"Hmmm…" She tapped a finger on her lips. "You could go to Arabella's. Just go North on 25, take exit seventy-two and it's about a mile to the right. Great food and it's quiet. You may want to call for a reservation, but you can usually get in the day of or next day."

"Thanks. I'll check into it." He shook her hand this time, since he’d washed his hands, and then waved when she pulled out. After she was gone, he searched for the resta
urant on his phone and called them for a reservation. Luckily, they got him in.

Time to get ready and pick Sophia up.

Chapter Sixteen

Sophia stood at the door, ready to go and wanting to throw up at the same time. It was good luck that none of her brothers were home. She walked into the living room and glanced out the window again.

Most girls would still be getting ready, but she'd been ready since she got home from his house. A date with Sebastian Cooper. Crazy she felt so shocked to go on a date with a man she'd already slept with. It couldn't be real.

She glanced down at the dark jeans, boots, and light orange V-neck top. What if it wasn't the right thing for where they were going? She should've called and asked him.

The doorbell rang and she jumped. His truck sat out in her drive, but she'd completely missed him pulling up.

Okay, Sophia, you can handle a date. Even one with the hottest man you've ever met and the only guy you've loved. No big deal.

She opened the door, even as his hand rose to knock.

"Sorry. I didn't hear the bell, so I just figured I'd knock." He didn't look at her face; rather, his gaze started from her chest down to her boots.

The way his Adam's apple jumped when he swa
llowed made her smile. She cleared her throat and held in her laughter when his blue eyes jerked back up to hers. "You ready?"

It was hard to tell with his skin already a little red from working in the sun, but she could almost see a little blush on his cheeks and neck.

"More than ready. You are beautiful as always."

Damn it. He caused her to blush too. "Thank you."

She kept to herself the fact that he was beautiful too. How could he not realize how perfect he was? There was no missing the short crisp hairs peeking at the top of his solid dark green shirt that he so casually left with the top three buttons undone. It was a tease and he knew it.

Then his tight jeans. She shook off the thoughts. Nope, not going there.

He turned to the side and offered his arm as she locked the door. "Let's get going."

Sophia jumped when he grabbed her hips to help her into the truck. Then she couldn't help but grin when he apologized and seemed just as nervous as she. Unbeliev
able how the strong, handsome man in front of her seemed shy and nervous, acting almost like a teenage boy on his first date. Or at least that's how she imagined they would act. She never really dated when she was younger.

He shut her door and walked around his side to get in. When they were driving away, she watched her home since she was a baby grow smaller in the side mirror. It was stupid to be so tense and too scared to say anything. Oh God.
Look at me, out on a date with the only guy I’ve ever loved and he’s going to realize just how boring I am.

What did she do? He was a singer and well-traveled, while she just worked as an assistant for her brother at the family construction business. She still lived at home with her brothers and didn't have plans to move out or do anything different with her life. Ryan was really her only friend and even he would move on without her one day.

She didn't want to move out of the town she loved, but who in their right mind would want to be with her after they realized she had no plans of doing anything different. No wonder Seth had cheated on her.

She clicked the button on the door when the air b
ecame too thick to breathe. A panic attack? No she didn't have those. Not since that day a long time ago when she woke up to find out Cooper had left.

"Sophia?" His hand landed on hers and squeezed.

The small gesture and the worry in his voice sent a wave of calm through her and she started to breathe normally again. It would be okay. He was there and she was with him.

It took her a few moments to be able to speak. "I'm sorry. I think I let my mind go a little too far into the what if's."

****

Cooper wasn't sure what happened, but he was about to pull the car over when Sophia's breathing seemed to speed up and her face turned pale. All the color was back and he couldn't help wondering what she'd been thinking about that got her so worked up. He wouldn't ask her. Tonight was about them and him doing everything he could to win her heart.

"I hope you don't mind, but I picked a restaurant outside of town. I know how this small town can be and that you'd know everyone and I'd probably know them too." He pulled into the nearly packed parking lot and backed into an empty spot.

"Why would you think I'd care about people seeing us?"

The hurt in her question made him realize how his statement sounded and how she may have taken it. "Shit, Sophia. I didn't mean to make you think I would be ashamed if someone saw us together. I know people thought I went crazy when I left town. It wasn't true. Truly, I wasn't sure you'd want to be seen with me and I was told this is an excellent place to eat."

He hated that she even thought he didn't want to be seen with her. If he could, he'd show her off to the whole damn world. Maybe he should've told her that, but didn't want to scare her with how strong his feelings were.

"Oh."

He jumped out of the truck and walked around to open her door.

She grabbed his hand when he offered and cradled it with her other one. "I never thought you were crazy."

Well, crap. He said he wouldn't kiss her, but after the way she gleamed at him with so much passion and trust, he had to. She didn't move as he leaned in and pressed his lips to hers. He kept it brief or he'd never stop. The taste of her was too damn addicting. "You're the most amazing, real person I know, Sophia."

When her cheeks heated and the earlier conversation was forgotten, he grabbed her tiny waist and helped her out. It was really hard not to stare down her shirt, but so easy to fall into her eyes, which were more green than blue right then.

"You know I can get out of a truck on my own. I drive a jeep that's jacked up just as high." She smiled up at him and he laughed.

"Oh, I know. I'll take any chance I get to put my hands on you."

It was so fun to make her blush bright red. She didn't say anything else as he took her hand and led her inside the restaurant.

The brunette hostess looked up at him, then Sophia, and back to him. "Hi! Did you have a reservation?"

"Yes, for two, under the name Cooper."

"Got it! If you'll follow me, I'll lead you to your table." She headed off to a booth in the back corner and laid out the menus on the table where two sets of silverware were already set out. "Justin will be your waiter for tonight. Enjoy!"

"Thank you." Once the hostess was out of sight, he leaned on the table. "She sure was perky.
"

It was a joke, but Sophia didn't seem amused. He knew when to drop it. The young waiter that came to the table had blonde hair combed to the side. He smiled big at Sophia. She seemed completely oblivious. Cooper wasn't.

"Hello, my name is Justin. What would you like to drink while you search the menu?" He glanced once at Cooper and then his eyes stuck on Sophia.

She bit her lip with indecision. "A Sprite please."

"I'll take water." His words came out a little louder to get the guy to take his eyes off of her.

"Alright, I'll be back with your drinks." He hurried off.

"What's wrong?" Sophia's brows pulled together and she tilted her head a little, causing a strand of hair to fall in front of her eyes.

He grabbed the strand between his fingertips and tucked it behind her ear. "Nothing. Everything's pe
rfect."