Red Hot Valentine: Falling for Cupid Read Online Free PDF Page B

nearby table.
    I dropped my purse over the side of the chair
and sat down. “My usual, thanks.” I was shaking and I didn’t know
why.
    Brad headed to the counter and ordered.
    I kept nervously glancing back at the
entranceway.
    Kind blue eyes met mine when I refocused on
the table. “Stop, Dais. I’m sure it’s just a last minute form to
fill out, something minor.” He passed me my cup.
    I took a deep breath. “This is torture. You
know I hate surprises.”
    He rolled his eyes, humor touching his
expression. “Yeah, I know. You love to plan them though.”
    “ That’s
different.”
    “ Of course it’s different.
Opposite ends of the spectrum.” His words were coated in
sarcasm.
    I cut my eyes at him. “Don’t patronize me,
buddy.”
    “ Wouldn’t dream of it.” He
winked, a cocky smirk in place.
    “ What day does Lisa get
back?” I blew into the slot on the lid of my beverage. Steam puffed
out, giving my lips a mini facial.
    “ Thursday, I
think.”
    “ You better clean the house
before she gets back. I know how you are, mister.”
    “ Jeez. It’s like I have two
wives between the two of you. Should I go ahead and convert to
Mormonism?”
    I smacked him across the table.
“Asshole.”
    He chuckled, unfazed. “And yet you put up
with me.”
    “ Because you put up with
me.”
    “ Because you’re
awesome.”
    “ Damn straight.” I
beamed.
    He frowned. “You were supposed to tell me I’m
more awesome.”
    “ Sorry. I’m not kissing
your fanny after the Mormon bit.”
    He shrugged his shoulders. “I can live with
that. I don’t need your approval.”
    “ Remember that when it’s
time to get your tux for your next wedding.”
    His lips parted in mock shock. “Now that’s
just cruel.”
    I laughed. “You’re the one who said it.”
    “ Okay, I take it
back.”
    “ Fine, then I’ll ensure you
look so damn sexy on your big day, Lisa can’t wait until after the
reception. You might want to do a closet check before meeting her
at the alter.”
    “ I can always count on you,
Dais.”
    I met his gaze, humor slipping away. “Always.
I’ll always be there for you, even when you annoy the shit out of
me.”
    He patted my forearm across the table.
“Ditto. You can always count on me.”
    “ I know. And I love you for
it.”
    He nodded, pulling back as Coop came into
view. “Lay it on us, Valentine.”
    Coop’s eyes searched me as he sat down. His
usually clear blue-green eyes were foggy today; he appeared
unsettled, as anxious as I felt. His suit was impeccable, but his
hair was disheveled, as though he’d been raking his hands through
it repeatedly. He scrubbed his day old stubble, looking at me with
unbridled intensity.
    A shudder shook me to the core. I wanted to
know. I needed to know. If it was hitting Coop this hard, it
couldn’t be good.
    He glanced at Brad. “Judge Benson is an older
gentleman that’s been happily married to his wife and best friend
for over thirty years. I believe that’s why he motioned the way he
did.”
    I found myself holding my breath. My heart
raced. I clenched my hands into white knuckled fists in my lap.
“What’d he say?”
    Brad’s eyes were focused intently on Coop,
waiting patiently. Anyone who didn’t know him wouldn’t detect his
restlessness, the tiny pucker between his brows, the way his lips
pursed ever so slightly, the way he clamped his teeth together.
    “ Judge Benson has issued a
thirty day stay. He wants you to reconsider your decision over the
next thirty days. If at the end you still want a divorce, he’ll
grant it. I tried to explain the situation, but he wasn’t hearing
it. If your minds are set, then February third your divorce should
be finalized.
    “ That’s it?” Brad
asked.
    Coop’s attention flitted briefly to me. He
nodded his head once. “That’s it.”
    “ Is that going to mess up
your proposal, Brad?”
    He released a breath, sitting back. “It’s not
ideal, but we can’t change it. Shit happens. I’ll