Before Coop even turned around, he knew who had walked into the bar and a protective feeling he’d never experienced before washed over him.
A quick glance at Lexie, wearing a pastel-print summer dress, confirmed his hunch. The smart-girl glasses contrasted with the flirty outfit, making for an interesting contradiction. She was special. Unique.
“Maybe I’ll welcome her to Jack’s anyway.” Matt started toward her and Coop planted a firm hand on his brother’s shoulder. “She’s with me.”
Matt paused. “I thought none of the bimbos interested you?”
Coop stiffened. “Does she look like a bimbo to you?”
Matt laughed. “Relax. I’m happily married, remember?”
Coop loosened his hold. “Your next one’s on me,” he said to his brother, hoping to smooth things over without actually admitting he’d acted like an ass over a woman he barely knew.
“Sam?” Lexie called his name as she made her way toward them.
“You can go get that beer now,” Coop said to his brother.
Matt grinned. “Not just yet, Sam.”
Nobody called Coop by his first name except for his mother when she’d been alive.
“Sorry I’m late,” Lexie said.
“Not at all. Why don’t we take a table in the back?” Coop suggested. A quiet place where they could discuss the ring and her grandmother’s necklace without being overheard.
“Sounds good.”
“Aren’t you going to introduce your date to your brother?” Matt interjected, a wide grin on his face.
Since there was no getting around it, Coop made the obligatory introductions. “Lexie Davis, this is my older brother, Matt Cooper.” Feeling the heat of his father’s gaze, Coop continued, “And the old guy behind the bar is my father, Jack.”
“Nice to meet you both. I can see the family resemblance.” Lexie’s warm smile encompassed all three men.
“I’ll take that as a compliment,” Jack said. “So, pretty lady, are you one of those bachelorettes looking to hook up with the latest catch?” He nodded toward his son.
Coop cringed.
Lexie shook her head and laughed. “Oh, no. Not me. Sam and I have some business to discuss.”
“Is that right?” Matt asked, sounding too pleased for Coop’s liking. “Because my brother led me to believe there was something more serious going on between you two.”
Coop had had enough. He placed his hand on the small of Lexie’s back, leading her to a far booth, away from his prying family.
“I’m sorry. My father and brother seem to think everything is their business.”
“You think they’re bad? You should meet my grandmother.” She shook her head and laughed.
“Do you want something to eat or drink?”
She shrugged. “Maybe just an iced tea and some chips?”
“Easy enough in a bar.” Coop excused himself, placed an order with his father, who promised to send the drinks and chips over.
He rejoined Lexie, easing into the seat across from her. Thanks to the small seating area, his knees grazed hers beneath the table.
“So, I have to ask.” She paused and bit down on her lightly glossed lips. “What did your brother mean, you led him to believe there was more than business between us?” She rested both elbows on the table and leaned in close.
Her eyes, which he could now see were a golden brown, were full of curiosity and focused solely on him.
She was upfront. He liked that about her.
“Let’s just say I let him know not only were you with me, but that yes, I’m interested in more than just business.”
“I see.” A smile curved her lips. A pleased smile.
“Tell me about yourself,” he said, eager to learn more about her personally.
“Not much to tell. I’m a world traveler and a Web designer.”
The traveler part he could live without. The Web designer he definitely found intriguing. “What are some sites you’ve done, so I can check them out?”
A waitress who’d worked for Jack for years interrupted them only long enough to place their drinks and a basket of tortilla chips on the table.
“Let’s see,” she said when they were finally alone again. “I’ve designed quite a few small Web sites you might not know of, but I’ve also created the Hot Zone and Athlete’s Only Web pages. Have you heard of them?” she asked.
“I’m a huge baseball fan. Renegades especially, so of course I know of the biggest sports agency in Manhattan. And I’m suitably impressed with your portfolio, I might add.” He raised his glass and touched hers before taking a long sip of cold beer.
“Why, thank you,” she said, obviously pleased. “But if you do take a look, you should know that both sites are due for an overhaul. We’re currently working on them behind the scenes.”
“We?”
“Claudia, my assistant. She frees me up for the design and creative portions of my work, and she also keeps updates going while I travel.” Lexie adjusted her glasses. “So tell me more about you, Mr. Bachelor,” she said, teasing him.
“Didn’t you see enough of my exciting life out at the Dumpster?”
She laughed. “You’ve got a point. Although, I must admit, it’s refreshing to see a guy who isn’t a slave to the attention of fawning women.”
They continued their easy banter. As they got to know each other, the tables quickly filled up around them. Luckily, the crowd would keep his father busy, and it appeared that Matt’s partner had shown up, occupying his brother, too.
“So do you want to see the picture of my grandmother’s necklace?” Lexie asked.
Before he could reply, she withdrew a photograph from her purse and handed it to him. The older woman in the photo had red hair and what could only be described as a mischievous gleam in her eye. As for the necklace, it definitely appeared similar in style to his ring.
Yet it was the rest of the older woman’s outfit that captured Coop’s attention. “I hope you don’t think this is an odd question, but why is she wearing a housecoat with such an elaborate piece of jewelry?”
Lexie’s laugh was infectious, and she used it freely and often. “I’ve asked myself that question many times. Grandma never wears certain jewelry outside of the house. She says it’s because it has more sentimental value than anything else. Does it look like a match?”