For Keeps

7. Scarlett

There's no turning back now. Luke wants me and I want him. No more being scared. No more shutting myself off from the world.
I'm allowed happiness. I'm allowed to fall for the nice guy. A real nice guy.
A bad memory flashes through my mind but I tuck it away. He doesn't deserve for me to waste time worrying over him. Not anymore. I am finally free of him and I refuse to think about my past right now. Not while I am feeling giddy over Lucas.

When I get home I stop at Brett and Kare's to talk about tonight. They are both excited. Karianne and I decide to make a batch of Chili which fits the bitter cold. Hope is sleeping when I stop over so I can't wait to see her smiling face later. I head the one floor up and decide to take a hot shower and then a nap. By the time I lay down in my oversized warm bed, I realize I'm more exhausted than I thought. I tossed and turned a lot last night worrying what today would bring. Now that things seem right with the world, I close my eyes and exhale my previous worries as I drift off to sleep.

"He is here again. The hot guy in the nice suit." Sammy says as she pops the top off a Coors Lite. "That's four times this week. I think he might be smitten with you, Scar." She says nudging me then flips her red hair over her shoulder. This guy started coming to the bar I work at two weeks ago. He seems interested in me, but so are most guys. Not that I'm full of myself. I'm a young attractive busty bartender. Rich guys flock to us like moths to a flame. They spend a couple weekends with us, show us their empires, worship our bodies, then they marry the Jackie O's of the world while we go back to our studio apartments and cry over them. I've avoided that kind of lifestyle this far, and as attractive as Cooper is, I'm not falling for his bull shit. However that doesn't mean I won't flirt with him. He tips big.
I shimmy over to the table where he and two other gentlemen sit. "What can I get you guys tonight?" I say and smile.
"Three Bud Lights to start out with tonight, Scarlett." Cooper says and smiles his perfect dimpled smile at me, his perfect white teeth shimmer in the light.
"No problem... umm Connor was it?" I say. Obviously I know his name, but I'm not going to flatter him.
"Cooper." He says looking a little defeated while his buddies laugh quietly. He probably has a bet to see if the slutty bartender will go home with him. He will be losing this one.
"Sorry, Cooper. Coming right up."
I say and walk away as sexy as I can without pulling a muscle. I can feel their eyes glued to my ass and I can't help but internally give myself a high five for all the squats I do.
"You're bad." Sammy says shaking her head. "Almost everyone in here just about broke their necks watching your ass." She laughs.
"Was Cooper watching?" I ask.
"Of course! He has it bad."
"He just wants what he can't have. I'm not going to be a side thing for anyone. Even someone as dreamy as him." I say grabbing their beers.
"Maybe you could be his something more." She says.
"Girls like me, don't fit with guys like him."
"Oh please! You're amazing. You will probably be on every billboard in this city one day and New York has a lot of billboards you know."
"We will see. But right now... I'm Scarlett the rebellious struggling bartender.  How amazing." I say as I bring the guys their beers. She says something back but the bar is packed and I can barely hear myself think let alone hear her from ten feet away. One of Cooper's friends nudge his shoulder when he sees me coming. Cooper stands as I get to the table.
"Here you gentlemen go. Is there anything else I can get you right now?"
I look up into his gray eyes as I hand him his beer. Gosh he is handsome. So handsome that I'm sure he gets every girl he wants. I break our stare and look at his two friends.
"Anything? Our cheese sticks are the best in the city." I say.
"Sounds good." His blonde friend says.
"Better make it two orders though, right Peter." The blonde says to the other friend. He is probably the bulkier of the three, but doesn't look overweight. He is attractive. They all are, but I get the hint that Cooper is the leader of the pack. Every girl in this place is watching him with their lust filled eyes. I bet he will go home with at least one of his many admirers tonight.
"Shut up Eric. Just because I have a little more to love doesn't mean I need a whole order to myself. Besides, as much time as you two bone heads spend at the gym just means I have all that extra time for important things. Like beautiful women." He says and smiles at me. I smile back. Cooper is still standing and I register how close he is to me. He is watching me intently. I don't even hear what Eric and Peter are arguing about now. The intensity of his stare makes me feel a little less confident. I can feel my cheeks flushing which makes him smile. Damn it.
"So cheese sticks a yes?" I manage to say.
"Cheese sticks would be wonderful." Cooper says and brushes my arm slightly as he sits back down. I walk back to the bar very aware that Sammy is laughing at me.
"Fuck." I say. "Why does he have to be so attractive?" I brave a look his way and he looks me in the eyes at the same time. Shit. I look down and smile towards her.
"He is a good looking fuck isn't he. I can't wait to get the details of the sex you guys have."
"There will be no sex..." I say unconvincing even to myself. I put their order in for cheese sticks and go to a few more tables. The night flies by but I can't help but think about Cooper. I bring them each another couple beers but I try to be brief.
At about midnight I look towards their table and they are gone. A wave of disappointment crashes over me. I head to the table to get the empty bottles and find a piece of paper. It simply says 'have dinner with me?' And underneath it says 'turn around'. I look behind me and see Cooper sitting at the bar watching me.
I walk over to him. "Can I get you anything?"
"A water please." I get him a glass of water and set it in front of him.
"So yes or no..." he says.
"Yes or no...?"
"About dinner."
"I'm not sure that's a good idea." I say shyly.
"Why not?"
"Because... I'm not the kind of girl that sleeps around. No matter how attractive a guy is, I don't want to be that girl who falls for the guy only to have him leave her for someone more.... in his class." His eyebrows furrow together.
"Scarlett I think you said I'm attractive." He smiles.
"I-"
"Look, I understand your hesitancy, but it's not like that. You're the most beautiful woman I have ever laid my eyes on. Am I wealthy? Yes. But I don't care if you aren't. I would give you the world because I can and all I would want in return is you. All of you. The way you bite your lip and blush drives me mad. I haven't been able to think clearly for weeks now. You're all I think about. I may have even looked you up on social media." He laughs. "I'm no stalker. I swear, but ever since I came in here and met you all I have been sure of since then is that I need to get to know you. Please, just give me a chance. One date. That's all I ask for." He reaches for my hands over the bar. His hands are warm as they touch mine. I look up at him and have to tell myself to breathe. In and out. In and out.
"Okay." That's all I can say because in that moment. I want him and I don't care about the consequences.
His eyes light up and he grins from ear to ear.
"I promise I will change your life, Scarlett." He says and kisses my hands.
Although I didn't know it, those were the truest words Cooper Stanton could have ever said to me.