Like That

Chapter 21 - Where do We Go From Here

This chapter is repetitive since it contains Emily's POV of the same scene from Chapter 20.

My belief is that communication is the best way to create strong relationships. - Jada Pinkett Smith

Chapter 21 - Where do We Go From Here

Emily's POV:

"It seems that I make great friend material." I tell Cooper hoping he could cheer me up, but I doubt that he can today.

"Without a doubt that is true." I exhale the breath I didn't know I was holding, and then Cooper lifts my chin to look at him chin. "You are a great friend."

"Thanks," I say. He's over 6 feet tall and I'm not even as tall as his shoulders. I lean foreword and I bury my forehead against his chest, hiding my face from him.

"Can I tell you a story?" He blows out a breath. He must be trying to come up with a way to explain how being friends is so much better than anything else.

"Sure," is my only response.

"The first time I saw you, I felt like I had to fight for air. You completely took my breath away. I was so pissed at Will for meeting you first. I wanted to kill him. I've never had a reaction to a woman quite like I had when I met you." He takes a breath.

He continues, "Then, Michael was there, and then Mason and Peyton...I was trying to understand what was going on, but I really wanted to know was who did I have to get rid of to make you look at me. And then, you started becoming my friend." That's how he felt. I thought he hated me. "I couldn't wait to start my day with you. Meeting you for a morning run was the best part of my day. I love you as my friend. I hoped for more, and I thought we were headed there when you told me about Patrick." He groans and I hold my breath remembering...

"That very next morning, I had decided I would be your 'friend only' while you grieve. We sat out on your deck and it was the first time I truly felt at peace since my sister died." Peace that is what I feel when I'm with him.

"I wanted to be there for you, like it felt like you were for me. But that changed quickly. The peace I felt with was gone in a heart beat." His words rip through me. He doesn't feel the same anymore. "There is a lot more to this story. Just listen." His words soothe me.

"Having Will walk into your kitchen after we had spent such a nice morning together, pissed me off more that I could put into words. I was livid. I thought you had gotten drunk and slept with Will." He moves me away from him and lifts my chin so that see his eyes. "It was wrong...I was wrong...I am so sorry." He kisses my forehead and keeps his lips on me. Cooper doesn't do that...that's a classic Foster move.

"You were, I mean are very feisty. You didn't let me get away with it. You told me to figure out what I wanted...friendship or not. The way you put it, there was only two options: 1. friend - with you in my life, or 2. not friend - with you not in my life. I knew at that moment that 'not friend' was not an option."

"I have tried to be your friend ever since you returned from Europe, and I have loved every single moment. I was willing to be your friend forever, but not anymore. I can't be your friend." Oh god, he doesn't even want to be friends. My eyes are stinging...I can't breathe...breathe...breathe.

He moves so he is looking in my eyes. I have to get out of here. I can't do this. I can't breathe. "I can't be only your friend anymore. My feelings have changed."

What? I look at his face. I'm not sure what he is thinking. He looks very sweet, but his words sound like goodbye. Is he saying goodbye? "I don't understand."

"I like you for so much more than friends. And I need to know if you feel anything for me." My heart is racing. It's pounding out of my chest. He likes me. This 'whatever it is' isn't one sided?