by Cass Kincaid
I finished my coffee, then arranged my boots and my son’s outdoor clothes near the door. Through the adjoining wall, I heard a melodic voice singing a lullaby. It stopped me in my tracks.
She’s got a kid, I realized. Which meant she was undoubtedly with someone already. I didn’t remember seeing a ring on her finger, but she’d moved so hastily during our short conversation that I couldn’t be sure. I knew I was the last person who should be making assumptions, but I wagered it was a safe bet.
I stood there, listening through the wall. It took a moment to realize I’d been enamored by her soft singing.
I didn’t even know this woman’s name, and yet here I was, unable to move because of her. Running my fingers through my hair, a sigh passed my lips and I shook my head in disbelief at the power this woman already had over me.
***
I’d always been a morning person. Always enjoyed getting up at the same time the sun was just starting to peek out over the treetops and bask the world in golden hues and lengthy shadows. That’s where the quietness hid, in those early hours when the rest of the world slept, only to be jolted awake by blaring alarm clocks an hour or two later.
I’d never needed an alarm to wake me, and I didn’t wake up grumbling because of the things I had to get done during daylight hours. Because those things had always included hockey games, hockey practice, and most recently, my son.
What I woke up grumbling about now was the fact I had little planned for the day, and Zoey had come by last night to pick Tommy up.
I was alone.
I was also a man who preferred to get things done, and I’d never minded getting a little dirty to accomplish it, if needed.
No matter the context.
Mornings like this, though? With no plans, no strenuous workouts or practices, and nothing to bide my time? I didn’t do very well without some kind of goal, and laziness wasn’t exactly a trait I harbored.
But a man could only clean and do small jobs around his own apartment for so long. It’d been weeks since the doctors advised me that I wouldn’t be hitting the ice this season, but I wasn’t kidding...there wasn’t a leaking faucet or squeaking hinge to be found in my place. The apartment was small, neat, and maintained. Nothing fancy, but it was mine. And Tommy’s.
It was the one thing no one could take from me. Because, evidently, injuries could take my job, even it was just temporary, and Zoey could take my pride.
Two coffees, a big plate of bacon and eggs, and one long, hot shower later, I knew I had to do something. Anything. Before I went absolutely insane with the boredom. It occurred to me to make my way out into the hallway and knock on my new neighbor’s door, offering to help her unpack or carry boxes or something.
If she didn’t want me to talk while I did it, fine. I could be the brawn she needed—well, within reason, and my coach and doctors would have a shit fit if they knew I’d even thought of it. But I could help her out. Purely because I needed something to occupy my time, and she obviously needed a friend.
Friend.
Right.
If yesterday’s interaction was any indication, friendship was the last thing that pretty little auburn-haired beauty was interested in.
Good thing I had enough interest for the both of us.
If I turned the television off and strained my hearing a bit, I was convinced I could hear the odd laugh or babbling of the neighbor’s kid through the living room wall. Suddenly, very clearly, I heard a familiar voice speak, just as exasperated as she’d been the day before.
“Levi, please get over here and put your coat on so we can go to the store!”
They were leaving. Which means...
I dove for the entryway, shoving my feet into my boots clumsily. In my haste, I couldn’t even get my injured arm into my jacket on the first attempt. “Shit,” I hissed under my breath.
Plucking the keys from the entryway table, I stopped to listen. Nothing. So, they weren’t in the hallway yet.
Act calm, act normal. I didn’t know why it was so damn important to me to meet her again under the ruse that it was by chance, but I didn’t want her to know I’d been listening in, either. The last thing I needed was to spook her.
I heard the apartment door open from the hallway, and I took a deep breath.
Show time. One, two...three.
I swung the door open and sauntered out as though I had all the time in the world to get wherever I was going. The first thing I noticed, just like yesterday, was her eyes, made up with mascara that only accentuated the blue depths of them. The second thing was that they were trained on me, unblinking, like I’d caught her red-handed in some unthinkable act.
“Oh, hey,” I offered. But I couldn’t seem to move, either, trapped under the intensity of her gaze. The door of my apartment remained open, my hand still on the handle.
“Uh...” A deep blush crept into her cheeks, and she pushed her son gently behind her, shielding him from me. “Hey.”
God, she was gorgeous. Without even fucking trying.
But she may as well have reached through my chest and ripped my heart out, the way she hid the sandy-haired boy from me. “Get all moved in?” I finally asked, realizing I was staring.
“Oh.” She waved a hand after pulling her apartment door closed and locking it. “Not really. I—”
Her gaze flitted over at my own door, and I closed it. “Well, hey, anyway,” I said awkwardly, not wanting to come right out and offer to help her immediately. “I thought you must’ve been the one who rented 2B. I’m Cooper. Looks like we’re neighbors.”
Her eyes pierced through me, an icy blue that resonated somewhere deep within my soul.
I didn’t know if it was smart, but I kept my eyes locked on her, too, and held out a hand.
She stared down at it like she didn’t understand the concept. “You’re C. Henley?”
I cocked an eyebrow. “The one and only,” I quipped. “You seem...surprised.”
“I’m not going to lie. I envisioned C. Henley as an elderly woman. With ten or fifteen cats.”
I laughed—I couldn’t help it, but she maintained her composure, managing to keep her expression stoic despite the slightest twitch of her lips. “Sorry to disappoint you,” I chuckled, shrugging. “There’s no one elderly in my apartment. Just me.”
With hesitation, she finally reached out and shook my hand gingerly, nodding. “Good to know.”
We stood there, silent. It could’ve been minutes that passed, or hours. And if it was uncomfortable for her, it wasn’t for me. I was too busy taking her in, basking in the prettiness and mystery that emanated from her every pore. I wanted to know this woman. I needed to.
She was the first to pull her hand away, but there was a hesitation in her movement, too. “Well, we should go.” She slid a hand down and clutched her son’s fingers in hers. “I’m, uh, sorry for yesterday. It was a rough day, but I shouldn’t have taken it out on you.”
I tucked my hand back into my pocket. “No need to apologize. How about you just tell me your name and we’ll call it even?” I suggested, a sly smile spreading across my face.
Her throat moved visibly, and she checked her son’s jacket, tugging at the zipper to make sure it was all the way up.
“Hi.” The little boy spoke louder than needed, and he waved at me excitedly, his hand flapping up and down with exaggeration.
I crouched down in front of him and his mom. “Hey there, little man.”
“We should go.” She squeezed the little boy’s hand tightly, her movements jerky enough to make me stand up again.
“Of course,” I said, like it was no big deal. “I’ll see you around.” It was a lame attempt to get her to stay, and I knew it as soon as it fell from my mouth. “If you need anything, you know where to find me.”
But the woman was already dragging her son toward the stairs, their jackets swishing together as they moved.
I let out a long breath. Shit. Somehow, I’d overstepped, and now I’d ruined
any chance of—
“Cooper?”
I turned at the sound of my name on her lips, a shock of electricity traveling down my spine. “Yeah?”
She gave me a small grin. “I’m Samantha.” She waved a hand toward her son. “And this is Levi. I’m sure we’ll see you around. We are neighbors, after all.”
She left without another word, leaving me standing there in the hallway with a crooked grin on my face and a sliver of hope to hold on to. And that was more than I’d had in a long time.
Chapter Three
Samantha
“Rise and shine, buddy.” I whispered against Levi’s little ear and placed a kiss on his temple. I hated waking him, but I’d already let him sleep too late and if I didn’t get him up and ready now, I’d be late for work. Levi stretched his arms above his head and yawned.
“Morning, Mommy,” he said, groggy. Throwing his blankets back, he slid out of bed and ran toward the bathroom.
Afterwards, I told him gently, “Go get dressed. I put your outfit on your bed.”
I shuffled down the hall toward the kitchen, filled my travel mug with coffee, then sprinkled a spoonful of sugar and a splash of creamer into it.
My phone vibrated in the pocket of my dress pants, and I pulled it out to find I had a call coming in from Ethan.
“Hello?” I wasn’t sure why he’d be calling me, especially this early, when he very well could have texted. His voice was not one I particularly cared to hear unless I absolutely had to, whether it be due to drop-offs or pick-ups. But phone calls were generally unnecessary at this point.
“Hey, Sam. I won’t be able to get Levi today. Something came up with work and I have to go in.”
Of course, I thought. Of fucking course. I should have known.
“You’re kidding me, right?” I whispered angrily, low enough that Levi couldn’t hear me. “Levi, Mommy is going out in the hall for a minute!” I hollered loud enough so he could hear me from his room, then stepped out into the hallway, leaning heavily against the wall.
“Sam—” Ethan tried to speak, but I cut him off.
“No, I don’t want to hear it. I asked you two weeks ago if you could take this week off to be with Levi so I had time to find a sitter, since we both know you won’t do it. This is my first week at my new position, and now I’m going to have to call and say I can’t make it into work today because of your selfish ass.” Rage coursed through my veins and my cheeks filled with heat. I felt the burn of the tears, begging to be released, but I refused to let him hear me cry.
“Samantha, I’m sorry. I can get him later tonight after work.”
“You mean after you’re done fucking her and can squeeze in a little time for your son? Hell, you probably won’t even get him in time to feed him at a decent hour.”
“That’s not fair, Samantha.”
“No, what’s not fair is you bailing on me right before I need to be at work. Knowing I wouldn’t be able to find a sitter on such short notice. Knowing I got this promotion and can’t fuck it up. Won’t fuck it up. I have nothing more to say to you, and I need to call my boss. Hopefully you’ll actually follow through and pick Levi up after you’re off work.”
“Okay, b—”
I ended the call before he had a chance to finish saying goodbye.
Fucking asshole. I can’t believe this.
Sighing, I leaned my head against the wall and slid down, sitting on the hallway floor as I wiped away the tears as quickly as they fell. The sound of a door creaking open startled me, and I hastily stood up.
“Hey, Samantha. You okay?” Cooper’s head peeked out from around the corner of his doorway, his hair slightly tousled. His eyes were just as intense as they’d been the day before, though, and now they watched me, tainted with concern.
I waved a dismissive hand. “Oh, hey. Yeah. Sorry. Absolutely fine.” I couldn’t rein in the edge in my voice.
He pushed away from the doorframe and came out into the hallway. The sight of him in a simple white t-shirt and perfectly fitting stonewash jeans made me swallow down the lump that formed in my throat.
“I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but I did hear that you’ve got a dilemma. If you want, I can watch Levi for you?” Cooper sounded unsure of the words himself, but I didn’t know if it was because of what he was suggesting, or just because he was suggesting it to me.
Either way, I hadn’t expected the offer, and my eyes narrowed. “Oh. Well, thanks, but...you don’t have to do that. I do appreciate—”
“I don’t have anywhere else to be right now, so I’m available, pretty much every day, for a while.” Cooper’s voice was deep and soothing. But, he must have realized what his offer sounded like, thought about it, and added, “I just mean, I’m not really working right now. I play hockey for...I mean, I’m a hockey player, a professional one. I just have a shoulder injury that’s preventing me from playing this season. I do work, just not right now.” The resultant upward curl of his lips was adorable, and I idly wondered if he was trying to impress me.
“I don’t watch hockey,” I admit. “So, I’ve never really heard of you.”
Cooper laughed. “I never said I was a celebrity, just a hockey player in the NHL. I’m not bragging, I swear.”
“I get it. Thanks, Cooper,” I said with a laugh. “But I could never ask you to babysit.”
“You’re not asking. I’m offering. It’s different.” The thin smile turned into a smug grin.
“I don’t even know you.” The words were out of my mouth before I realized how defensive they sounded. “And you don’t know me,” I added, hoping to level the playing field a little.
“Nope, I guess you’re right.” He ran his hand through his hair. “But the offer still stands, Samantha. If it makes you feel any better, you can call me every fifteen minutes to make sure everything’s good, and you can ask the superintendent for the background check they ran on me when I moved in to prove I’m not a criminal. Just a hockey player, with a son of his own.”
I didn’t mean to, but I chuckled. Normally, I wouldn’t trust a stranger with my child, but there was something about Cooper that was different, and I knew deep in my bones that I could trust him with Levi. That alone made me even more hesitant because I didn’t understand what it was about him, or why or how I could feel so sure about someone I didn’t even know.
That said, I only had two options—go to work, or stay home with Levi myself and risk ticking off my boss.
“You have a son?”
He nodded. “Yeah. He’s six months old. But he’s only with me half the time, unfortunately. My ex and I try to keep it as even as possible.”
I could hear the sadness in his tone. “I see.” I couldn’t believe I was actually contemplating this. But what other choices did I have? “Well, uh... are you sure you want to spend the day with Levi?” I muttered out nervously.
“Yes, I am.” Cooper stepped forward, reaching his hand out to press it to my shoulder in a comforting manner.
Relief washed over me. Without thinking, I wrapped my arms around him in a hug, probably more for my benefit than his.
“You’re a lifesaver. Seriously, thank you. I just got this promotion, and I—” Realizing that I was hugging him, I awkwardly pulled away. His scent, however, had reached my nostrils, and I inhaled him deeply.
Sandalwood.
Thank goodness he didn’t smell like musk. That’s what Ethan smelled like, and if he’d smelled like him I probably would have gotten sick and made this situation even more awkward than it already was.
Cooper laughed. Without realizing it, my eyes fixed on his plump lips and sharp, steel-cut jaw. Quickly glancing up into his icy blue eyes, butterflies fluttered in my belly. I’d had so many words to say moments ago, but now I was at a loss for them.
“It’s no problem, really. I’m looking forward to spending the day with the little man. Any specific routine he’s on? Naps? Eating? Hopefully he’s not in diapers. If so, I may take back the offer,” Cooper advise
d playfully.
I laughed, shaking my head. “Nope, no diapers. He’ll need breakfast at eight, which is in about thirty minutes. Lunch is usually at noon, and then he usually takes a nap around one. I haven’t had time to go to the store yet, so we only have a few things.”
“I grew up with siblings, Samantha, and he might be young, but I’ve got a little guy of my own. Trust me, I think we’ll manage okay.” Cooper grinned. “I’ve got to grab a couple things and I’ll be right over.”
“Okay,” I nodded. “Sounds good.” I turned away from him first, wringing my hands as I ducked back into the apartment. I scrambled to get something to write on, scrawling my cell number on an old receipt, just in case of any emergencies.
A knock on the door a few minutes later made my stomach clench, nervous. I scurried to open the door, hollering for Levi. “Come here, pal!”
The little boy bolted down the hallway from his bedroom and into the living room just as I opened the door for Cooper.
“Who’s here, Mommy? Is it Daddy?” The excitement in his voice crushed me to the core, and I hated that I had to tell him his daddy canceled again. “Oh...” Levi’s face turned down in disappointment at the sight of Cooper, and I knelt before him, placing my hands on his shoulders.
“Daddy had to work today, but Cooper—you remember him from yesterday, right?—he’s going to hang out with you today, okay? You guys can play cars and superheroes!” As soon as I mentioned superheroes, his face lit up.
“Okay! Come on, Cooper!” Levi reached out for Cooper’s hand, intent on heading toward his room.
“One sec, little man!” Cooper said wryly. “Want to give your mommy a hug goodbye first?”
Little giggles filled the air as Levi ran back toward me with his arms opened wide. His lips puckered up dramatically as he kissed my cheek. “I love you, Mommy!”
I ran my fingers through his messy head of curls. “I love you, too, buddy! You be good for Cooper, okay?”
“I will!” He grinned wide, showing off his gapped teeth. I felt slightly more at ease leaving him with Cooper since he was so excited about it, and he seemed surprisingly comfortable with him being there. “Okay, now, come on!” Levi tugged at the man’s hand again, pulling him toward the hallway that led to his room.