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back. “I didn’t mean to interrupt when you had company. I can come back later.” She sidled toward the door. “It was, uh, nice to meet you, Rachel.” Total lie.
    Cooper gave a rough bark of laughter. “Rachel isn’t company. She’s—” But then he broke off, frowning. “Wait, who do you think she is?”
    That was a weird question, but Gabrielle blurted, “Girlfriend?”
    Rachel was the one to laugh then. “He should be so lucky.” She bent and scooped up a designer bag. “We’re just friends. No worries on that score.” She winked at Gabrielle. “Maybe that makes it nicer to meet me?”
    It did.
    Rachel inclined her head toward Cooper. “And maybe you can meet up with me and Dylan later? I know he’d love to get an update on you.”
    Cooper gave a quick nod. “Will do.”
    It had to be her imagination, but Gabrielle could have sworn the enthusiasm in his voice was faked.
    Rachel slipped away a few moments later, and Cooper locked the door behind her.
    Gabrielle’s hands twisted in front of her. It had been almost two days since she’d last seen him. She’d thought about him plenty during that time.
    Especially when the flowers arrived at the hospital—lilacs, her favorite. There hadn’t been a card, just the flowers.
    “You sure that you’re okay?” He took her elbow and guided her to the couch.
    She’d be better—less distracted—if he put on a shirt, but Gabrielle nodded. “I needed to thank you, both for finding me in that alley and for the flowers. I, um, lilacs are my favorite.” She wore a lilac-scented body lotion, because she loved the smell so much.
    His blond brows lifted. “How do you know they were from me?”
    She blinked. Embarrassment burned through her. Since she wasn’t dating anyone, she’d just assumed they were from him. “I—”
    He laughed. “You sure are pretty when you blush. And, yes, they were from me.” His fingers brushed back a lock of her hair. “I’m glad you liked them.”
    She had those lilacs upstairs, sitting in a vase on her kitchen table. Every time she looked at them, she smiled.
    But you’re here on business. Don’t get distracted. Gabrielle cleared her throat. “I need to ask you a few questions.”
    His hand lowered. She was hyperconscious of the strength of his body next to hers. “Sure. Give me just a minute, okay?” He rose and disappeared down the hallway.
    She didn’t move. She wanted to move. She wanted to pry and search—
    Hold that curiosity back.
    She stayed locked to the couch. He returned quickly, pulling a black T-shirt over his head. The man certainly seemed to enjoy wearing black.
    “I was about to make some dinner. Want something?”
    Gabrielle shook her head.
    A half smile lifted his lips. “Come on, I make a mean spaghetti. It’s a recipe I stole from Rachel. Her family’s Italian, and no one does spaghetti better.”
    Her stomach growled.
    “I’ll take that as a yes,” he murmured.
    Then he headed into the kitchen. She heard pots and pans clanking. Gabrielle rose and followed after him. “I didn’t come here so that you would fix me dinner.”
    He already had the water set to boil. Tomatoes were spread out on the counter.
    “That’s right,” he said easily. “You came here to ask me questions. So ask.”
    While he cooked? She’d expected something a little more...businesslike.
    “Ask.” He sliced the tomatoes. Fast and with almost fanatical skill. She’d never seen anyone be so good with a knife.
    “I...um...” She exhaled slowly. Stop being frazzled with him. “Did you see anyone else in that alley with me?”
    He stopped slicing. He glanced at her, held her gaze. “It was dark. I could only see you.”
    That didn’t mean that no one else had been there. “Did you hear anything?” Gabrielle asked carefully.
    He dropped the pasta then came toward her while the sauce simmered. “No, I didn’t hear anything.” He propped against the counter and studied her. “Why?”
    “Because I don’t