Inside Out - Lauren Dane [56]
Ella was just content to just sit and chat, taking one long look at Andrew Copeland’s ass and then back to their group at the table.
“So how have you been?” Adrian asked, sliding a huge slice of fully loaded pie onto his plate.
“Since you saw me last this afternoon?” she teased.
“Yeah, but Cope came in, and I didn’t get much of a chance to talk with you. He’s an Ella hog.” He took a measuring look at her. “How’s life?”
“Um. I don’t know. Mainly the same as it was last week, or even last year. But totally different. Which makes no sense, but that’s the only way I can describe it.”
“No, I get it. And good. I imagine if it wasn’t a good thing, you wouldn’t look so happy. When you first started at the café you were like this. And then it faded. Slowly so that I didn’t really see it until I’d come back from a tour and you were not the same.”
“Something like that.”
“No, I mean it. But you’ve been coming into focus over the last year especially. You’re blooming, and it’s beautiful.”
She blinked back tears. “Thank you for that. It feels like each day I have that’s just normal is a win. And then I add in the other stuff. Good friends. Family. A good job.” She looked over to the pool table where Cope had just bent to take his shot. A lock of hair had fallen over his forehead, his biceps gloriously bulgy against the wool of his sweater. She smiled at him as he noticed her. He blew her a kiss and took the shot, making it.
“That’s part of the way you glow.” Adrian spoke softly. “The two of you light up when you’re together.”
“As I told Elise as she eagerly planned the wedding earlier tonight, it’s our first date. I like him. He likes me. I don’t know what else it is past that.”
“Little liar.” Adrian smirked as he took a big bite of pizza. “You and Cope have been having foreplay for years now. More for him than you, at first anyway.”
“Ew. Well, okay not ew, but what the heck did I miss?” Elise slid into the booth. “Foreplay for years?”
Adrian laughed. “I was disagreeing with Ella that this was her first date with Cope.”
“Oh that. Yes, I agree that they’ve been dancing around each other for years. Though Ella didn’t know it for some reason.”
“Okay, hello, I am right here.” She took a bite of her pizza and looked back at Andrew, catching his gaze immediately because he’d been looking at her too.
Cope moved to her, dropping a kiss on her forehead. “What’s that smile for?”
“Just looking at you makes a girl happy, Andrew.”
He grinned, a dimple showing just to the right of his mouth. “I’m at your service.”
“Stop flirting and take your turn,” Ben called to his brother.
“Hush, you. I’ve got something more important to do first.” He kissed her again, this time on the lips, and went back to the game.
“Anyway,” she said, blushing madly as she returned her attention to Adrian, “it’s different. We know each other, yes, and there’s a level of trust between us that I don’t share with too many people. I haven’t dated someone in years. Years. Believe me when I say this is new.”
“But good, right? ’Cause, honey, you’re giving off loopy happy like mad. There’s something major between you and Cope.” Adrian filled her glass as he spoke.
“I don’t really know what it is beyond good, but yes, it feels major. Maybe just to me. But really good in any case.”
Elise raised her glass, Adrian and Ella doing the same. “To really good. Also, dude, we’ve gone over this; it’s not just you.”
That was something Ella could wholeheartedly endorse.
Todd won, and Elise went over to take Ben’s place. Erin managed to con Adrian into letting her play another round in his place. Todd only rolled his eyes, standing behind Erin, his hands on her belly.
Cope slid in beside her, closer than he had to, not that she was complaining.
“Hey there.”
“Hi. Sorry you didn’t win.”
“Not a chance with Todd playing. He’s good. The only person nearly as good is Erin. Anyway, I’d rather be right here.”
She poured him a beer, sliding it and a plate his way. “Plenty of pizza left. I saved you three slices of the everything.”
“You’re pretty perfect. Thanks.” He dug in,