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were doing with my friend Kimberly.”
    “What?” he asks in disbelief.
    “How do you know her?” I shoot back.
    “I’m a customer. She talks to everyone.”
    “A customer? Are we talking about the same thing?”
    “I don’t know what the hell you’re talking about, but I actually use the public library. That’s how I know Kimberly.”
    “I heard my name,” Kimberly says, rounding the corner of the hallway with a wide smile. “Imogene!” She gives me a big hug, feeling soft and cuddly and sweet, like her disposition.
    “I was asking Cooper how he knows you,” I say glumly.
    “Oh, Cooper comes into the library almost every week.” Cooper gives me a smug look. “He likes to go through the old blueprints we have on historic houses, and he checks out a lot of non-fiction. Philosophy, right?”
    “Philosophy?” I snort.
    “Hey, I have to go help pass out some pink drinks Yadi made. Would you two like some?” Kimberly asks.
    “No thanks,” Cooper responds. “We’re fine.
    Kimberly bounces off with her curls bobbing along with her.
    Cooper stares at me and leans in with his hand braced against the wall behind me. “Satisfied?” he asks. “Were you talking to Anton about library books? Doubt it. Do you have any idea how sleazy that guy is?”
    “No. I didn’t get to talk to him—you showed up.”
    “Good. You’re lucky it was me and not Carson. He’d pummel the shit out of that guy if he saw you with Anton.”
    “He’s my friend’s cousin; he can’t be that bad. You’re jealous because he’s a business competitor. He said you guys bid on the same projects.”
    “He doesn’t do the same work as us, so he comes in with lower bids. Blackard is doing something unique and it costs money. Our niche market will pay for it, so I wouldn’t really call Anton a competitor. But he does sleep around. Word gets around fast. He sleeps with clients, his staff, and every woman he can hit on. He changes partners so fast I’m sure he doesn’t bother to ask their name.”
    “I was striking up a conversation; I wasn’t planning on sleeping with him.”
    “Why don’t you strike up a conversation with me for a change? Then I wouldn’t have to save you from those creeps.” As Cooper puffs up a bit, I see that he’s not kidding.
    “Are you jealous of him?” Normally, this isn’t something I would need to ask, but a little doubt is making me wonder if Cooper has an issue with Anton’s construction business rather than seeing me with other men.
    “Yes,” he says emphatically.
    “Is it his business that pisses you off?”
    “No. Christ, Imogene.”
    “Well, it’s a fair question. I find it hard to believe that you’re jealous about me. You say he’s a sleaze, but in some circles, women speculate and say the same things about you.”
    “Oh, really?” Cooper barely smiles. “I think that must be the circle of Imogene and everything Imogene makes up.”
    “And I’m supposed to believe you check out library books on philosophy and …”
    “Sometimes other things,” he replies. “ ‘He must speak and act openly because it is his to speak the truth.’ ”
    “What?”
    “Aristotle.”
    “Oh. Huh. Well, you could have gotten that off a bar napkin.”
    Cooper sighs. “I’ll always be honest with you, Imogene. I’m pissed that you’d spend any time talking to that guy. I’d rather you talk to me.”
    He takes my full beer bottle and places it on a hall table. “Come on.” He then takes my hand and leads me through the crowded living room.
    “Where are we going?” I ask, trying to keep up with his long stride.
    “I’m going to have Lauren take you home.”
    “Wait a minute.” I jerk my hand back. “I want to stay. I have friends here that I haven’t had a chance to talk to yet.”
    “You can call them on the phone.” He picks me up and cradles me in his arms, much like I remember from that night a few weeks ago. “Coming through!” he yells, and the people part to let us out