Paradigm (Travelers Series Book 3) by Claudia Lefeve Page A

what he’s doing here, but I’m not going to do anything to ruin this night, especially for Alex.
    I hear Alex mumbling something about the food and I turn my attention back to him.
    “The oysters here are to die for. Maybe we should have something like that at our wedding. You know, like an oyster-shucking table,” he says.
    This time, I actually do choke on my water. Oysters? Wedding? Is he proposing? “Excuse me, what?” I manage to ask between gasps for air. I wanted a fresh start, but I’m not ready to get hitched.
    “God, Etta. You don’t have to look so horrified. I’m just talking. You know, like couples in love are supposed to do?”
    I instantly feel like crap upon seeing the look in his eyes and even worse for allowing my own feelings to show. But my body relaxes as I realize there’s not a proposal on the horizon. At least, not yet. “You just took me by surprise, that’s all. And yeah, it is nice to talk about the future.” Seems like that’s all I’ve been doing lately. And as much as I’m trying to make an effort, I have to wonder if Alex is even a part of that future.
    The evening goes on with Alex talking about our future life together and me tuning him out as I try to figure out what the hell Cooper is doing posing as one of the servers. After taking our orders, he hasn’t reappeared, so I’m just waiting for the moment when he makes his intentions known.
    After awhile, I actually begin to relax and enjoy my date with Alex. I’m not going to let Cooper spoil my night. Dinner conversation is great, as is dinner itself. Alex finally convinces me to try the tiramisu and as I try not to think how much this is going to add to the bill, I cave and agree to the sinful desert.
    But my curiosity finally gets the better of me. I can only allow myself to ignore Cooper for so long before something eventually happens. I know he’s still lurking around here somewhere, so it’s time to nip this in the bud before he decides to come back to our table.
    “I think I’m going to run to the ladies’ room before we head out.”
    By sneaking off to the bathroom, I might be able to find Cooper and find out exactly why he’s followed me here before he has a chance to come back to the table. Another server—a real one this time—has since replaced him, but I can’t take any chances. I can’t believe he’d be so bold as to crash my date with Alex.
    “Sure, I’ll just wait for the check,” Alex says, eating the rest of the desert.
    “Oh, no. I told you. It’s my treat.”
    “Etta, I know you were trying to do a nice thing by taking me out, but I would never have agreed to Alessandro’s if I was going to allow you to pay. I just want to spend time with you.”
    The guilt-ridden road trip continues. “And I want to spend time with you, too.” I take his hand and offer a gentle squeeze. “I’m sorry I was so distant the last couple of days.”
    “Don’t worry about it. Now, go on and I’ll handle the check.”
    Since I don’t really have to go to the bathroom, I pass the ladies' room and head straight to the kitchen, hoping to find Cooper. I know he’s hiding around here somewhere wanting something. I find it hard to believe he’s impersonating a waiter just to get his kicks.
    “Looking for me?”
    I jump back about a foot. Maybe I do have to go to the ladies’—his little blitz attack almost makes me pee my pants! “Jeez, don’t sneak up on me like that!”
    “Sorry, darlin’. Just making it easier for you to find me.”
    “Ugh! What the hell are you doing here anyway? Trying to ruin my night, not to mention my life?”
    Cooper feigned mock surprise. “Who me? Etta, come on. It’s me, Coop. You can’t stand there and tell me you don’t feel that spark between us. Do you really think I’m here to ruin your life?”
    “No, I –”
    And right there in the middle of the hallway, he kisses me. The kind of kiss that sends electric sparks from the tips of your toes all the way to the