Awaken (8 page)

“I'm so embarrassed,” I confessed.

“Don't be,” said Cooper. “Nobody should feel embarrassed after doing such a great rendition of Adele.
 
Listen – just take seat – breakfast will be done soon.”

I turned and looked at the kitchen table nearby. That's when I finally took a look at Cooper's apartment. My jaw dropped.

“You've got to be kidding me,” I said as I walked around the room. There were wall-to-wall windows everywhere, providing a 360-degree view of the city.

“I take it you like the view,” he said. He lifted the pan off the stove and slid the bacon and eggs onto plates.

“It's so incredible, it's almost obscene.” I marveled at the morning sun shining on Central Park in the distance. From another window, I saw the Chrysler Building, shining bright silver against the blue sky. “It must be amazing to wake up to this view every morning?”

“It is,” said Cooper as he took a seat and placed a napkin over his lap.

I joined him at the kitchen table and looked down at my plate of bacon and eggs. “Looks yummy,” I said, taking a seat. I scanned the room once more, admiring the view from every window. Then I laughed to myself.

“What is it?” asked Cooper, noticing my expression.

“I was just thinking about Penelope.”

“Your assistant?” Cooper asked with a raised eyebrow.

I nodded. “Yeah, she's also my neighbor and a really good friend. Anyway, I was just thinking if she were here, she'd be walking around your apartment naked, hoping someone would sneak a peek through all these windows.”

“She's an exhibitionist,” said Cooper as he took a sip of coffee.

“I guess that's one way you could describe her,” I said. “She's fearless.”

“And I take it you aren't into that sort of thing?” Cooper asked intrigued.

We stared at each other. I was into a lot more than I had ever imagined, as my night with the Master clearly demonstrated, but I decided not to share this. I shook my head. “No. Not an exhibitionist.”

I felt myself blushing, as I remembered the sexual animal I had turned into that night at Nectar. I plunged my fork into the eggs and took a bite. I closed my eyes in pure bliss. “Delicious,” I muttered.

After breakfast, I offered to pay for the cleaning of Cooper's car. He told me that wasn't necessary. “Do you have any plans today?” asked Cooper as he cleaned the breakfast plates and put them in the dishwasher.

“Not really. I was thinking of spending the day down in the village, taking pictures.”

Cooper put the dishwasher on and then looked at me. “You want company?”

I was surprised he wanted to join me. “Sure. I just thought you had more important things to do.”

Cooper shrugged. “I do, but I'd rather tag along with you, if you don't mind.”

We stopped by my apartment so I could change outfits and get my camera. Then we headed downtown. We spent the rest of the day walking around the village.
As I snapped pictures of some kids playing basketball off Washington Square, Cooper made an interesting comment. “I can see why you love photography. It forces you to stay in the moment. To be present, as the world unfolds before your eyes.”

When I heard him say that, I couldn't help but feel drawn to him. We looked into each other's eyes. And that's when he kissed me.

Cooper called and invited me to a gallery opening tomorrow night. I can't believe how giddy I feel. I wonder if we're going to have sex? I bet Cooper West is amazing in bed, and hopefully tomorrow night I find out. Thank goodness Nectar and the Master helped me rediscover my libido.

Tonight was the best and worst night of my life. When the car pulled up to the gallery, I saw a huge picture of Joanna Hunt in the window. I turned to Cooper and slapped his arm. “Are you kidding me?” I said, excited.

He shook his head. “My assistant told me that she was having a showing of her latest photographs.”

“I know!” I said, beaming. We stepped out of the car. A throng of people filled the gallery. “I was planning on coming next week,” I told Cooper when he joined my side.

“Why go next week, when you can come on opening night and meet the artist?”

I stopped dead in my tracks and looked at him nervously. “You mean she's here? Joanna Hunt is inside?”

Cooper nodded.

I suddenly turned around and walked toward the car. Cooper grabbed my arm. “Lacey, where are you going?”

I looked at him. “I can't meet her. I'm too nervous. I'm going to say something stupid, I just know it. You don't understand: She's my hero.”

Cooper gently placed his hands on my shoulders and looked straight into my eyes. “If you don't meet her, you're going to regret it for the rest of your life and you know it. Don't worry. I'll make sure I say something stupid first.” His smile was comforting.

Cooper took my hand and led me inside. We made our way through the bustling crowd. Several of Joanna's latest portraits hung on the walls. They were breathtaking. It amazed me how she captured so much emotion in one frame. The photo of an old woman and her daughter traveling through the desert was mesmerizing. Then I felt Cooper's hand on my waist. He whispered into my ear, “Joanna's at the other end of the room. Let's go say hi.”

I looked at him and nodded nervously, as he led me across the room. I saw Joanna Hunt. Now in her early seventies, her golden brown hair had turned silver grey. But her warm smile and lively eyes emitted a youthful energy. She was finishing her conversation with a young couple, when Cooper and I approached.

“Ms. Hunt,” said Cooper extending his hand. “My name is Cooper West, and I just wanted to take a moment to thank you for your work. These photographs are really neat.”

Joanna looked at Cooper with a humorous expression. “Neat? Now that's an adjective I haven't heard before to describe my work.”

Cooper placed his hand on his chest. “I'm sorry. I'm at a loss for words. My friend, Lacey, has been raving about your work since I met her. And she was right.”

Cooper introduced me. I nearly fainted as I shook Joanna Hunt's hand. “Is that so?” asked Ms. Hunt.

“I've been a fan of yours since I was a kid,” I gushed. “You’re my favorite photographer. My mother and I went to your early showings in Cleveland.”

“A true fan,” said Hunt, looking at me with a smile. “Well, thank you for your support. Are you a photographer as well?”

I nodded. “Nowhere near your talent, but it’s a passion of mine.”

“Well, that's all that matters, isn't it?” said Joanna.

“Excuse me, Ms. Hunt.” Cooper interjected. “But would you mind if I took a picture of you and Lacey?”

“Not at all.”

Cooper took a picture of us with his cellphone. I couldn't believe it! I just got my picture taken with Joanna Hunt!

Then Joanna turned to me and smiled. I looked into her warm eyes. There were so many things I wanted to ask her. “Ms. Hunt, I don't want to take too much of your time,” I said “but there is one thing I wanted to ask you.”

“Of course,” she said in a welcoming tone.

“Is there any advice you would give somebody just starting out, like me?”

Joanna looked pensive for a moment. Then she looked at me with a serious expression and gently reached for my hand. “It's the simplest advice but the hardest to follow.”

“What is it?” I asked, intrigued.

“Stay true to yourself. In everything you do. In your career, your family, your love. Stay true. In every step you take, make sure it's the right step for you.”

I nodded. “Thank you for being so generous with your time, Ms. Hunt. I really appreciate it.”

“My pleasure, Sweetie,” she said as she gave me a hug goodbye.

We stayed at the gallery for another hour, marveling at Hunt's latest photos. When we returned to Cooper's car, I quickly jumped him in the backseat. I showered him with kisses and began unbuttoning his shirt.

“Somebody's excited,” Cooper said, trying to catch his breath.

I held his face in my hands. “What you did tonight, taking me here, introducing me to Joanna Hunt, was one of the nicest things anybody has ever done for me. You don't understand how much it means to me.”

Cooper kissed my hand. “Sure I do, that's why I did it, Lacey. Because I knew it would mean so much to you.”

I kissed him passionately. “I want you so badly.”

“What, here? In the car?” Cooper asked.

“Yes,” I whispered into his ear. Sure, a bed would have been preferable, but at that moment, I craved him. I didn’t care that we were in his car or that his driver was in the front seat. My experience with the Master had taught me to listen to my body. And my body was screaming for Cooper West.

Cooper took my face in his hands. I was surprised when a strange, tortured look came over him. He gently kissed my lips. “Lacey, there's something I think you should know.”

I kissed him again. “What?”

He gently pushed me back and gazed into my eyes. He brushed a lock of hair behind my ear. “I really like you, but I don't want to have sex with you,” he whispered.

Had I heard him correctly? I slid myself off his lap, not sure I understood.

“You mean never or just tonight?” I asked, confused.

Cooper turned to me with an intense look in his eyes. “I’m not sure.”

I didn't know how to react. I felt awkward, foolish. “Oh,” I finally muttered. “I thought you liked me?”

He gently grabbed my hand and looked at me with those intense green eyes. “I do like you,” he said. “But sex with me is complicated.”

I thought about my experience at Nectar. “I can do complicated,” I blurted. “Trust me.”

He shook his head. “I don't think you understand,” he muttered.

“Can you try to explain?” I asked. I really didn't want this experience with Cooper to end. Maybe I had come on too strong, but the sudden change in mood was perplexing.

He looked out the window and shrugged. There was a long moment of silence, and I could feel the distance between us growing. I sensed he wanted to tell me more but was holding back. When he finally looked at me, I was surprised by the cold look in his eyes. Then he let go of my hand.

“This was a bad idea. I don't think we should see each other anymore.” He looked away again.

And that was it. Just like that. It was over before it ever began. Cooper dropped me off at home, not even kissing me goodbye. I don't know what happened.

Penelope noticed I was in a funk since Cooper broke it off with me. She convinced me to join her and Nico at Nectar.
 

“Sounds like he's a bit of freak, if you ask me,” said Nico when I told him what happened between me and Cooper. “You're better off without him.”

Penelope nodded in agreement. “That's what I said.”

I sighed and took a sip of my drink. I looked at Penelope and Nico and shrugged. “You're probably right. I just missed going out with a guy, you know? It's been so long since I've been in a relationship.” I looked at the two of them, jealous. “I wish I could have what you two have.”

Nico and Penelope shared a look. Penelope then touched my shoulder. “Girl, there are a bunch of guys in this world. And now that you're taking life by the horns, you'll meet a good one soon enough, trust me.”