by Sophie Stern
Abigail just shrugged.
“It’s how she always is.”
“I’m sorry,” I said. “I know that doesn’t mean much, but it’s never easy trying to deal with someone like that.”
“Speak of the devil,” Abigail looked behind me, and instantly, her body tensed. Apparently, the woman of the hour was approaching to come over and give Abigail more crap.
“Abigail,” the woman said as she neared. I didn’t turn to look. Instead, I casually looked at the baskets the booth was selling and auctioning off. I pretended to be a customer so I wouldn’t have to talk to the woman, but then I felt a shock shoot through my body as I realized that her voice was familiar.
“Mrs. McMillan,” Abigail said. “Did you come to make a donation?”
“No.”
“Then how can I help you?”
“You can start by resigning.”
“Excuse me?”
“Oh, I think you heard me.”
Cooper glared at the woman. I just kept staring at the baskets in front of me. It couldn’t be. Could it? But when Cooper caught my gaze, I knew that it was.
Larissa.
It was her.
Larissa was the woman who had been terrorizing him and his staff. Even after all of these years, she was still a bully. She hadn’t changed. She hadn’t done anything to make herself better. She hadn’t taken any steps to make sure that she grew as a person or that she stopped hurting others.
I didn’t turn around at first. Instead, I waited. She was seriously doing this. She was yelling at Abigail in front of other people. She was raising her voice in front of strangers.
“Larissa, that’s enough,” Cooper said. “You’re not allowed to talk to my team members that way. Please leave.” His voice was firm, but cool. I could tell this was a fight they’d had many times before.
“Oh, Coop,” Larissa said. Her voice was dripping with venom. “I could have you fired.”
“No, you can’t, and you aren’t allowed to harass my team. Leave.”
“Make me,” she snapped.
That was it.
I’d had enough.
Cooper had been great. He’d stood up for his team. He’d made it clear that he wasn’t going to put up with Larissa bullying Abigail. That was really important. He’d been abundantly straightforward when he asked her to leave. Now it was time for me to face her.
I turned around, looking at her. Larissa barely noticed me at first, but then her eyes caught mine, and I could see the glimpse of recognition in her eyes when she realized who I was. Yep. It was me. After all of these years, we both looked almost the same as we had in high school. Larissa looked like she was every bit as unpleasant as Cooper and Abigail had described her, though, and I felt really, really bad for the people who had to work with her.
“Oh, hey, uh, hey...”
Her voice trailed off and I could tell she had a million things rushing through her head. She obviously didn’t know my aunt had been sick. She didn’t know she’d died. If she had, she would likely have said something snarky. Well, either that, or she would have figured out that I’d been in town. As it was, I wasn’t quite sure how Larissa hadn’t known that I’d been in Ashton for the past few weeks. I didn’t know if she still kept a close eye on Cooper or not.
She hadn’t been by the bakery, so chances were that she didn’t realize it was under new management.
“Cordelia,” I said. “My name is Cordelia.”
“I know,” Larissa shook her head. Then, her tone changed. “Cordelia, it’s so good to see you!” She pasted on this big, fake Larissa smile, and she held her arms out.
What did she expect me to do?
Hug her?
Not a chance.
I wasn’t going to hug the bitch. Not after everything she’d stolen from me. Not after everything she’d done. The truth was that everything in the past hadn’t been her fault. It had been everyone’s fault. Cooper and I should have communicated better, but Larissa shouldn’t have tried to sabotage us. Everyone was a loser in this situation. We had all lost.
Still, Cooper and I had managed to put the past behind us. We’d both grown and changed, and we’d both tried to become better people. We’d learned from our own mistakes, as well as the mistakes of others. We’d grown up.
It didn’t seem like Larissa had.
“I think you owe Miss Abigail an apology,” I said.
Larissa’s mouth dropped open. It was like she couldn’t believe I was saying that to her.
“Cordelia, I’m afraid you misunderstood the portion of the conversation you overheard.”
There it was.
Classic Larissa.
How had I missed that so much in the past?
How had I missed her telling me that I just didn’t understand?
How come I hadn’t realized all of the times she’d been telling me that I didn’t know what I was talking about, it was just her way of controlling me?
“I believe I understood perfectly well,” I said calmly. “And I’d like you to apologize to Miss Abigail, and then I’d like you to leave.”
“You can’t make me,” Larissa said. Something changed. She looked at me, confused. She was questioning the situation. It was like she couldn’t believe that I could possibly ask her to do anything.
Unfortunately for Larissa, I wasn’t the same girl I’d been a month ago.
I definitely wasn’t the same girl I was fifteen years ago.
“No, but the police can, and I’d be happy to vouch as a witness that you came here strictly to not only threaten, but to harass Miss Abigail.”
Larissa’s mouth dropped open.
So did Abigail’s.
I didn’t dare look at Cooper. I had a feeling that his mouth had hit the floor. Either that or he was trying to choke back laughter at the ultimate cat fight. Only, unlike in the past, we weren’t fighting over boys. We were fighting over decency.
“I did nothing of the sort.”
“You did. Now apologize, and then leave.”
Larissa’s eyes narrowed. There it was. There was the hate I’d seen all of those years ago when she told me she was the one going to the prom with Cooper. There was the hatred and the anger that she harbored for me. I might never know why she didn’t like me. In fact, I would venture a guess that I’d never understand exactly what had transpired all of those years ago, but I did know one thing: I’d won.
I had gotten a second chance.
I’d gotten the guy.
I’d gotten my dream job.
I’d gotten anything a girl could possibly want, and then I’d gotten a little bit more.
Larissa?
She’d gotten nothing.
She’d never left Ashton. She’d never changed. She’d never traveled the world and she’d never pursued her dreams. She’d become the ultimate high school trope. She’d stayed who she was, and she’d never bothered to grow.
“You’re exactly the same type of bitch you always were,” Larissa hissed, lowering her voice. There were still people making their way past us at the fair. If they were to glance over, they wouldn’t have any idea what was going on between us: only that two middle-aged women were bickering over something.
“And you’re the same conniving twit you always were,” I said sweetly. “Now, I’ll give you one last chance to apologize to Abigail.”
“You don’t have a leg to stand on,” she said. “You can’t report me to the police.”
“I can when you’re harassing people and verbally attacking them.” I held up my phone and showed her the recording device I’d turned on while we were talking. “I recorded you threatening Abigail’s job. I would be more than happy to provide this to the police should she choose to pursue a restraining order against you.”
Larissa didn’t like that.
She growled – actually growled – at me.
“Abigail is just as big of a bitch as you are. No wonder Cooper liked me best.”
That was it.
That was the opening I’d been waiting for.
I stopped the recording, and I put the phone back in my pocket, and then I looked at Larissa.
“Cooper didn’t like you best,” I said.
“He did. You always were just a boring, stupid little whore.”
My hand moved before I could stop it. I’d owed Larissa a slap to the face for about fifteen years, and today seemed like as good of a day as any to dish it out. When my palm connected with her cheek, it made a loud sound that seemed to reverberate throughout the entire fairgrounds. People walking by stopped and looked, staring at the woman who had slapped Mrs. Larissa McMillan, but nobody said a damn thing.
In fact, a couple of people grinned. One old man laughed and pointed.
“She had it coming!” He muttered, shaking his head. He held up his cane, and then kept walking away from us.
Larissa looked like she wanted to fight or cry.
“Larissa, leave now.”
Something in my tone must have let her know that I wasn’t someone she’d be able to fuck with ever again because she turned and walked away, rubbing her aching cheek, and she didn’t look back.
I looked over at Cooper and Abigail.
Abigail looked like she was going to throw up. Cooper just looked like he was going to laugh.
“Sorry,” I said to Abigail. “I hope that didn’t offend you. I don’t like people bullying my friends.”
“That...was...awesome!” Abigail pumped the air like a little kid excited about their new bike. “Did you see the look on her face? That was awesome! Did you see, Coop?”
Cooper looked at me and smiled.
“Yeah,” he said. “I saw.”
When I looked over at Cooper, I could tell that something between us had inexplicably changed. We were both moving forward. Maybe I should have been the bigger person. Maybe slapping Larissa across the face had been petty and childish, but damn if it hadn’t felt really, really good.
The crowds started moving. Some people came over and started asking about our table, inquiring about our booth. A few people commented on the huge slap. Most people asked about how they could make a donation for Hannah or buy a basket that would help support her family.
When I looked over at Coop, he was watching me carefully, smiling gently, and I knew that as soon as the festival ended that night, I’d be bringing him home.
For good.
He was the one I wanted to be with.
14.
Cooper
WE WERE UNDRESSING before the door to her apartment even closed. I think I kicked it shut, but I wasn’t totally sure. Somehow, we were in too much of a hurry. We couldn’t stop kissing or touching or moving toward the bed.
“Wait,” she said breathlessly, looking up at me. “The door.”
I hurried back, closed it all the way, locked it, and came back. I grabbed her kissing her. I couldn’t seem to get enough of the beautiful Cordelia.
“I need you,” I whispered.
“Then take me,” she said, laughing a little. She cupped my face as she kissed me. The entire time, we were moving closer and closer to her bed. Then we were there.
She started tugging at my shirt, pulling it off and over my head. Then her hands were on my belt, undoing the buckle as I kissed her, pushing her back. She was sprawled on the bed and I climbed onto it, kissing her as I moved. She grabbed me and pushed, flipping me onto my back while she straddled me.
Then she reached for her shirt and pulled it up and over her head.
“Fucking gorgeous,” I murmured, reaching for breasts. She was wearing a red lace bra with little roses embroidered on it. It was beautiful, and I couldn’t wait for it to hit the floor. Luckily, I didn’t have to wait long because she reached behind herself and unclasped her bra. Then she let it drop down, revealing her pretty breasts.
I was a firm believer that life was made up of a series of perfect moments, and in my opinion, this was one of the most perfect of all. I knew that no matter what happened next, I’d never forget this one. I’d never forget how I was feeling as she reached for me and kissed me again.
Somehow, we both ended up naked. I was so busy kissing and touching her that I couldn’t tell where my body ended and hers began. We were totally entwined, rolling back and forth on the bed, wildly grasping at each other.
It was like we needed each other to breathe.
There was a part of me that believed that was true.
What happened between Cordelia and me had been fate. It had to have been. We had been randomly selected by the universe to receive a second chance, and I didn’t think that either one of us was interested in blowing it.
Before I knew it, she was lowering herself onto me, watching me carefully as she started riding my cock.
“Fuck, princess, you’re so tight,” I murmured. She felt better than I could have possibly imagined.
“I’m glad you like it.” She smiled, grinding down on me. It was like a beautiful dance. She seemed to move like a fairy. Cordelia was made for this.
“I fucking love it,” I groaned.
“Your cock feels pretty good,” she said. It was a compliment that only served to make me even harder.
“Fuck,” I groaned. “I can feel you squeezing me.”
“You look fucking good,” she said in response. She ran her hands down my chest and then leaned down, kissing me. Her breasts grazed against my chest as she touched me, teasing me, and then she started riding me a little bit faster.
I reached between us so I could rub her clit as she rode my cock. I wanted to feel her come for me. I wanted her to come undone. I wanted everything Cordelia could offer, and I was going to take it.
“Come for me, princess,” I murmured.
She was close.
Her entire body was tense, and her eyes were closed. Her lips were open just a little as she gasped for breath as she rode me. Just a little bit more, and then...
Fire.
Explosions.
Stars.
Dynamite.
She came apart on top of me, and my own orgasm followed immediately. I couldn’t hold back. I needed her. Wanted her. I was crazy about her, and the way she looked so fucking gorgeous dancing on my cock like that. It was like we were made for each other, and I wondered how I’d somehow managed to survive so long without her.
When she collapsed on top of me, sweaty and tired, I wrapped my arms around her. I was hot and I knew she was, too, but I needed to touch her. I needed to feel her.
“That was perfect,” she said.
“You’re welcome,” I whispered.
She started laughing and shook her head, looking up at me.
“Hey! I did most of the work.”
“I know, princess,” I grinned. “I’m just teasing.”
“It was good though.”
“It was incredible.”
“You wanna do it again?”
“What? Now?”
Cordelia laughed.
“Not now. Soon, though.”
“Soon,” I agreed, and I kissed her again.
I wasn’t sure how I had managed to end up the luckiest bastard in all of Ashton, but one thing was for certain: I had been given a second chance with Cordelia, and I wasn’t going to waste it.
The two of us?
We were made for each other.
Epilogue
Cordelia
MONTHS PASSED, AND the seasons changed, and soon an entire year had gone by since Hannah passed away. Ray, Cooper, and I all went to the cemetery on the anniversary of her death. Cooper and I knelt down by her grave and I placed flowers there.
“I miss you,” I whispered.
I felt Cooper’s hand on my shoulder, and I looked up at him. I knew that he missed her, too. We all did. I wanted to tell Hannah about everything that had happened in the time she’d been gone. I wanted to tell her that Cooper and I were engaged. I wanted to tell her that I’d been having a wonderful time with Savored. I even wanted to tell her that we�
�d recently gotten a kitten, and that we had plans to adopt even more pets.
There were so many things I wished I could express. I had a feeling that without Hannah, I never would have returned to Ashton. That meant I never would have taken over the bakery. I never would have reunited with Cooper. Without her, I never would have had the guts to not only recognize my second chance, but to chase after it.
“We all miss you,” Cooper whispered to my aunt’s grave. We stayed for a few minutes, thinking in silence about Hannah, and then my uncle asked for a few minutes alone with his wife.
“We’ll wait for you at the car,” I promised.
Coop and I returned to the car while Ray sat down beside his wife’s grave and talked to her for a little while.
“He comes here all the time,” I told Coop.
“He’s a good man.”
“I miss her so much,” I told him, “but you know what? She was so, so loved. Everyone loved her. Even though I’m sad that she’s gone, it makes me feel a little bit better that everyone adored her so much. I feel like we all gave her our very best.”
“I think you’re right,” he said. He reached for me and pulled me close.
“I’m glad I found you again,” I told him.
I was, too. There had been a point where I didn’t think I was worthy of love. I especially didn’t think I was worthy of love from someone like Cooper Clark. There was a time when my entire life seemed to be falling apart, but Cooper changed something within me. He made me believe in myself. He made me believe that no matter what happened, everything was going to be okay.
“The pleasure has been mine,” Cooper laughed.
We stayed like that, wrapped in each others’ arms, for a very long time. We stayed until the sun began to set and then finally, Uncle Ray returned to us. His eyes were red from crying, and we grabbed him and pulled him into a group hug.
“I’ll never stop missing her,” he said. “Thank you for bringing me.”
“We wouldn’t have missed it,” Cooper said.
We got in the car and as we drove away, I looked back toward my aunt’s gravestone. Hannah had done a lot of wonderful things in her life. She’d brought me back to Ashton. She’d given me my dream job. She’d somehow helped me find the courage to try again. Perhaps most importantly, she’d believed in me when I couldn’t believe in myself.