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“One of these days, before you know it, I’m going to be grown up, and on my own…and you better watch out.”
Audrey was fully aware of the fact that she’d been playing with fire her last year of high school, falling in love with a man several years her senior. Every time she thought about the shameless flirting, the sly comments, and the multiple times she’d basically thrown herself at Agent Cooper, she felt a little like jumping out a window. Although her feelings had never really gone away, she was almost glad Cooper had left town not long after she graduated, since she didn’t have to look him in the eye every time he visited Norma’s diner or the Great Northern and pretend that she hadn’t been so overt. Cooper, ever the gentleman, had kept any interactions smooth and friendly, often inviting her to sit and share a coffee with him, asking about her classes and college plans. However, he always kept his distance, gently avoiding touching her, steering the conversation in platonic directions. Cooper had been so respectful and kind sometimes Audrey could hardly stand it. The older she got, though, the more grateful she was that he hadn’t given in. He was better than she’d ever be.
She’d never really found anyone after that. There had been that guy from the hotel, and the occasional date in college, but nothing ever stuck. She sometimes wondered if she’d ruined herself. After college, she moved back to Twin Peaks, finding herself drawn to a receptionist position at the police station. She tried not to think about how her new line of work reflected Cooper’s, and how much time he’d spent in the station before he moved away, so she just kept her head down and tried to keep busy as best she could. That wasn’t hard to do with her job, but sometimes, like today, there were dry spells for hours. Audrey felt a little silly for wishing someone would commit a crime so she’d have something to do besides think.
“Stupid, perfect man,” she muttered to herself.
“Did you say something, Audrey?” Lucy’s eyes were wide, curious.
Audrey quickly set down the pencil she’d been twirling rather savagely. “I’m fine, Lucy.” She smiled at her deskmate. “Just…thinking. Gosh, I hate when it’s quiet. Sometimes I’d rather the phone be ringing off the hook, or Harry and Andy bothering us every five minutes than this. Gives me too much time to think.”
The look on Lucy’s face made her realize she’d probably sounded a little too harsh. “Sorry,” Audrey said quickly, tone softening. “I just—it’s been a long week. I don’t think I’m used to these quiet summer spells.”
“Well, don’t you worry,” Lucy assured, placing a hand over hers. Her curls shone extra brightly in the fluorescents as she leaned forward, flashing Audrey a sweet smile. “Things’ll pick up soon. School starts back in a couple of weeks, and we’ll have lots of calls about shoplifting, or speeding, or whatever, with the way the high school’s been. And I can tell Andy to stop coming up here to tell us about every little thing. I know he’s here for me.” She rolled her eyes, smiling despite herself. “That man.”
“No, Lucy, it’s fine. I’d hate for you to miss out on Andy’s visits. It’s awfully cute how shy he gets around you anyway,” Audrey teased, “considering you’ve been married for a while now.”
“Did you know he still thanks me sometimes after I kiss him?”
“No way,” Audrey giggled. “That’s adorable.”
“I know. I feel like a lot of girls would think he’s pathetic. But I just can’t seem to hate it.” Lucy threw up her hands. “I guess that’s why I married him and his stupid, sweet face.”
“Who’s stupid?” Andy called, rounding the corner with three steaming cups of coffee balanced in his large hands. He broke into a smile. “Hi, Audrey. How’s the job? We’re awful glad you’re here.” His cheeks flushed a little pinker when he looked at his wife. “Hi, Lucy. We’re glad you’re here too, obviously. Especially me. I’m always glad to see you.”
“You tell me that every time you come by, Andy, and I really appreciate it.” Audrey took one of the cups he held out to her. “The job’s fine. I just feel a little stir-crazy today.”
Lucy’s eyes were shining over her cup of coffee, glowing from her husband’s compliment. “Andy,” she said, her tone a little deeper. Andy gulped. “Would you step out back with me for a minute? I think there was something I forgot to tell you.”
“Well, sure, Lucy, but I wouldn’t want to take you from your desk—can’t you just tell me here?”
“I could, but I’d really like to tell you in private. Out back. Right now? Audrey can watch the desk for a little.” She was reapplying her lipstick as she talked, and when Andy nodded, she rounded the desk and grabbed him so fast that Audrey heard a Whoa! as Lucy dragged her husband down the hall towards the back door, obviously intending to pay his compliment back in equal measure.
Audrey couldn’t help but smile as she watched them go, then felt like chastising herself when she felt a familiar, lonely pang. It was time for her to stop pining after a man she knew she couldn’t have—her life didn’t need to revolve around a high school crush, and she was tired of letting it.
The coffee Andy had brought was black and strong. Usually, Audrey liked the way it perked her up, but this afternoon, she felt like something a little sweeter. The phone hadn’t rung for two hours, and the parking lot outside was empty. Lucy definitely wasn’t coming back anytime soon, so Audrey figured it was as good a time as any to run down the hallway and get some sugar and cream for her coffee.
She was in the break room when she heard the front door open and shut.
“Hello? Anyone home?”
Drat. It’s always right when I step away. “Coming!” Audrey stirred her coffee quickly, gave it a test sip, and hurried back to the front desk as fast as she could without spilling coffee down her skirt.
“Sorry,” she apologized, setting down her mug and smoothing her hair. “It’s been quiet for so long, I wasn’t expecting anyone to come in. I’d just run to get some cream and sugar for my coffee. Can I help you?” She was flustered enough that she hadn’t looked up yet, trying to make sure her desk was in order.
“Audrey?”
Audrey dropped the stack of papers she’d been moving, whipping her head up.
Heavens, had she summoned him?
He hadn’t changed at all, except for a few more tiny lines around his eyes and mouth from smiling. Audrey’s first thought was that she was glad he’d been smiling more since leaving the surreal horrors of Laura’s death, and the entire case, behind.
Her second thought was that he looked like he couldn’t believe his eyes.
“Agent Cooper. Oh, my gosh, hi. What in the world are you doing here?” Audrey was a little surprised at how light her tone was.
“I came back to visit—well, actually. I came back for a job. Harry said you all had an opening recently and invited me to join the force. It’s been—well. It’s been a very long time.”
Audrey didn’t miss the way his eyes scanned her, quickly, taking in her hair, her clothes, her face. It had been a long time since anyone looked at her like that, let alone Cooper.
“It has.”
“I didn’t know you worked here.”
“Since I graduated, yeah. It’s been a couple of years. I’m shocked Lucy hasn’t killed me yet. She can be very territorial.”
“I’m sure she’s glad to have you around.” Cooper looked like he was internally wringing his hands, despite the twinkle in his eyes. His hair was a little messier than she remembered him wearing it five years ago.
Oh, screw it. He’s my friend. This is ridiculous.
“Oh, Cooper. It’s really, really good to see you.” Before she could psych herself out, Audrey walked around the desk and wrapped her arms around him in as friendly a hug as she could muster. Slowly, she felt his arms close around her back, chin resting atop her head.
“It’s wonderful to see you again, Audrey.”
Audrey pulled back and held him at arms’ length, ignoring the way her heart was skipping a little. “And you’re working here now! It’ll be nice to have a fresh face.” She pretended to look him up and down, like an appraising mother. “You look like you could use something to eat. It’s a long way from Philadelphia.” She brushed imaginary dust off his shoulders. “Lucky for you, the Double R Diner is open, and I have nothing to do. How would you feel about some pie and coffee?”
She’d been proud of herself for holding it together, but that gradual, earnest smile was about to do her in.
“Audrey, that sounds simply fantastic.”
Lucy and Andy were coming back down the hall. “Lucy, I’m headed out a little early, if that’s okay? I’m taking a friend out.”
“Agent Cooper!” Lucy gasped theatrically. Andy gasped even louder.
“Harry didn’t tell me you were coming back, Cooper!”
“Andy!” A broad grin on his face, Cooper strode over and gave the deputy a back-slapping hug, then shook hands firmly with Lucy. “It’s good to see the both of you! How are things?”
Audrey was fully aware that Andy and Lucy could keep Cooper talking for the next five hours if he let them, and she felt suddenly possessive of his time. She let them get through about five minutes of niceties, before coming and looping her arm through Coop’s with a smile.
“I’ll bring him right back so you can catch up. He hasn’t had supper yet, and I’d hate for him to starve.”
Any guilt Audrey felt quickly washed away as Lucy and Andy shooed Cooper out the door without any more fanfare, worrying over his health the whole way out.
“It’s kind of them to worry, but I won’t keel over in the fifteen minutes it’ll take us to get to the diner.”
“You sure? Hm, I guess eating can wait a little longer then…of course, if it gets any later, Norma’s fresh cherry pie will probably be quite cool by the time we get there…and she might be out of coffee…”
“Audrey,” Coop declared, “I find myself almost light-headed from hunger. We’d better get to the diner soon before I faint dead away in the parking lot.”
Gosh, she’d missed this adorable man. “Your wish is my command.”
===
“Black as midnight on a moonless night,” Audrey intoned. “You’ve got such a sense for drama, Cooper.”
It was growing dark as Audrey and Cooper walked towards the Great Northern, taking their sweet time meandering through the streets towards where the hotel’s cheery lights beckoned.
“Please, Audrey, surely you can call me Dale.” He made a face. “And it’s not drama, it’s just the best way to describe how I like my coffee.”
“So when you told Norma that her coffee was “the best damn cup of coffee you’ve had in five years”, you weren’t doing your best?”
“I wouldn’t want to be repetitive,” Cooper said innocently. “And that was the truth. Coffee in Philly is never as good as it is here.”
“Which would you say is better? Norma’s coffee, or the coffee at the Great Northern?”
Cooper held one hand to his heart as if pained. “Audrey, surely you can’t make me choose! Especially since you would be making me choose between my favorite diner and my favorite hotel. They both make a damn fine brew, excuse me for saying so.”
“You always apologize,” Audrey said, more softly, “whenever you swear.”
“Well. I am in the presence of a lady.”
Audrey stiffened, only slightly. “I’m a lady now, am I?”
“Of course, Audrey, you’re all grown up.” His tone sounded almost wistful before he clicked his heels and stopped in front of her, saluting her with a twinkle in his eye. “I always show respect in the company of a proper lady!”
“I don’t remember you having such a sense of humor when I saw you last,” Audrey grinned, saluting back with a heel click of her own before they walked on.
“It’s nice to leave the sorrows of five years ago behind us. Makes me glad to be getting older for once.”
“It’s nice to see you smile,” Audrey pointed out. “I like your laugh lines. Old man.”
Dale spluttered. “How old do you think I am?”
“Hm,” Audrey hummed, pretending to think. “I’d say at least fifty.”
“Try thirty,” Dale said wryly. “I’m not that much older than you.”
“Sure felt like it in high school,” Audrey couldn’t help saying. “You felt impossibly old then.”
“So does everyone to a high schooler,” came Dale’s diplomatic response. His eyes cut to hers. “Though I’m sure it was especially hard for you.”
Audrey laughed. “You can talk about it. It’s not like it’s a secret. I told you I loved you when I was eighteen, no need to beat around that bush. I certainly didn’t. I’m just sorry I put you in that position.”
“I was always glad for your friendship, Audrey.” Dale cleared his throat. “Even when it was sometimes a little. Um.”
“Forward?”
“Sure.”
The lobby of the Great Northern smelled like cedar and pine. Dale stopped just inside and took a deep breath, smiling.
“The best smell in the world,” he sighed. “Next to coffee, of course.”
“Surely you’ve got somewhere else to stay besides a hotel? Especially since you’re moving in.”
“Oh, I’ve got a small cottage near the station, but I wanted somewhere to rest my head for the night before I start the moving process. Get a long night’s sleep and a good breakfast before hauling boxes.”
“Will you need any help? I’m sure I can round up a crew. Everyone will be awfully glad you’re back.” She slapped her forehead. “Oh! I meant to bring you back to the station so Andy and Lucy could catch up with you some more. Drat! I’m sorry. I guess I’ll tell them your moving plans first. I’m sure they’ll be there bright and early.”
“That would be wonderful, Audrey, thank you. And don’t worry about it. It’s late anyway, and I’m awfully tired.”
They’d walked down to Dale’s room, standing just outside the door. She’d offered to get him his old room, and his enthusiastic grin at the prospect assured her she’d made the right choice.
Dale opened the heavy wooden door, holding a hand out.
“Would you…like to come inside?”
Audrey flushed. She knew he was just being polite, but the thought of stepping inside this particular room with Dale as her only company brought back several embarrassing memories.
“I’d better get home, it’s late. See you tomorrow?”
“I very much look forward to it.” Dale tipped an imaginary hat. “It’s good to be back.”
“Goodnight, Cooper. Dale.”
Audrey tried not to fool herself into thinking his tone had been anything but friendly when he murmured “goodnight, Audrey”, and gently shut the door.
===
Audrey walked into the sparse living room of the cottage to find Dale, stripped down to his white undershirt and jeans, sprawled on the couch with the ceiling fan on full blast. He had a cheap plastic fan in one hand that he was waving limply at his face. When she came into view, Dale got to his feet, blinking exhaustion away.
“No, you sit back down.” Audrey put two hands on his shoulders, not thinking about the muscles under her fingers, and gently pushed him back onto the couch. “You’ve been hauling boxes all morning. I just came to ask if you’d like some lunch? I went out and got some cans of soup and sandwich ingredients.” She squinted out the window at the bright, midday sun. “Although I might skip the soup.”
“I’m sure you’re also tired and hungry,” Dale said diplomatically. “I would hate for you to go to any trouble on my account.”
“You’re never trouble, and I’m just fine. Lucy and Andy went out to lunch at the Double R and Harry got a call about a school fight—said he’d pick something up on his way back.” She walked into the kitchen as she talked, beginning to dig through half-open boxes for a cutting board, utensils, and plates.
“They’re already in the cupboards,” Dale said, flicking on the kitchen light. “Over here.” He came and opened the cupboard by her head, gently holding the back of one hand to the side of her head so the door didn’t hit her. “Lucy insisted on making the kitchen ‘livable’ before she headed out.”
Dale handed her two plates, then bent and handed up a cutting board from the cupboard by her feet. “Want me to slice tomatoes while the bread toasts?”
His echoing voice coming from inside the cupboard made her giggle. “Sure. And I’ll start some coffee.”
“I’m afraid it’s too hot for coffee.”
Audrey gasped theatrically, waiting until Cooper stood up before holding a hand to his forehead. “Hello? Are you feeling all right? Did Agent Dale Cooper just turn down coffee?”
“It’s just Deputy Cooper, and while I know it’s not like me, yes. I might like some lemonade instead. Maybe coffee later, though?”
He covered her hand with his, gently taking it off his forehead. He gave her fingers a friendly squeeze before stealing a knife from the knife block and digging a tomato from the plastic bag on the counter.
“We can have coffee with some ice cream after lunch, if you want.” Audrey kept the tremor from her voice with surprising alacrity. Her hand tingled and she flexed her fingers behind her back.
“Sounds wonderful.”
They made lunch quietly, moving in smooth rhythm as the meal came together.
“What you need right now, more than anything else, is a friend.”
Dale’s firm, gentle words came back to her as they worked, and her face flamed, thinking about the very precarious position she’d put him in five years ago.
I wonder if that still applies, came the rebellious thought.
She needed to get a hold of herself.
“Don’t think I haven’t noticed you ended up helping me after all,” Audrey teased, setting down the plates, loaded with chips and fruit, by his cutting board. “I really wanted you to be able to relax.”
“This is relaxing.” He handed her a plate, smiling, and they enjoyed lunch together, sitting in comfortable silence.
It didn’t last long. After going to rinse the dishes, a strange rattling began under the sink. Dale got down on his hands and knees, sticking his head deep inside the cabinet to peer at the pipe. It was shaking ominously.
With a gurgling bang, the pipe exploded, and Dale leapt out of the way as water poured into the kitchen, leaking across the floor towards the living room carpet, and bashing his head on the cabinet as he did. Audrey cried out in shock from the living room and came rushing in, almost slipping in the sudden water.
“Damn!” Dale’s socks were wet and his head was pounding.
“Are you all right?”
“Yes, I am—just scared me is all. Hit my head.” He sloshed across the floor towards the wall phone and dialed the plumber.
“Al? Yeah, sorry—a pipe in my sink just burst. Can you come down and take a look at it?”
The water was seeping into the carpet. “Yeah, soon, please. Thanks, Al.” He hung up and clutched at his head, sinking down against the countertop to wait out the throbbing. Audrey got a couple towels and tried mopping up the water to little avail. Al arrived in the next half an hour and spent fifteen minutes humming ominously at the pipes in the house before coming back to the kitchen and fixing Dale with a sympathetic eye.
“You might want to find yourself a hotel for the next day or so, Dale. Most of your pipes are almost rusted through and I’m going to have to turn off the water to the house for the next couple days to work on them.”
“That’s all right, thank you, Al. I’ll call up the Great Northern and see what they’ve got.”
“No need for that.I’m sure your old room is still open. Want me to check?”
“That would be great, thank you.”
She was on the phone for just a moment before hanging up, then told him that yes, his old room was open, and old friends got a half-price discount, and old FBI agents even more than that.
“Stay as long as you need, Dale. It’ll be good to have you back again. I’m just sorry you couldn’t enjoy your cottage more.” She looked around at the water still sloshing over the tile.
“I will, once the pipes are fixed. Besides, it’s odd living by myself. I’m used to hearing people more often than I do in my cottage.”
“Sounds like you might need a roommate.”
The comment hung heavily between them. “I’ll grab my things and drive us over, that sound all right?”
“It’s perfect. I’ll call back and see if I can get one of the cooks to make you some coffee, too. Sounds like you might need it after your day.”
In half an hour they were at the hotel, walking down to his old room with a cup of steaming coffee in one hand and a suitcase in the other, and in forty-five minutes, Audrey was standing over him as he sat on the bed, inspecting the bump on his head with worry in her eyes.
“I didn’t know you’d cut yourself, otherwise I’d have made you let me drive.”
“It’s not too bad, Audrey, no need to worry—ouch!” She was dabbing at the broken skin on the back of his head with alcohol and a cotton ball. “I didn’t even realize I’d cut myself.”
“It’s not bad. I don’t think I would have noticed it if you hadn’t bent over to put up your suitcase. You’ll be just fine.”
“And that’s your honest assessment, Dr. Horne?”
“It is. I also prescribe the rest of that cup of coffee, dinner in the dining room, and a good night’s sleep.” She put away the first-aid kit and went to wash her hands. “You can call me if you need anything while you’re here, by the way. I’ll always answer if it’s you.”
“That’s mighty kind, thank you. Will I see you at dinner?”
“No, I need to get home, I’m sorry. But I’ll be back by tomorrow. Hopefully I can help you finish moving in a couple of days.”
“We’ll see,” Dale said grimly, and he looked so serious Audrey laughed.
“Have a good night, Dale. Take care of yourself.” She patted his shoulder and vanished with a smile.
Carefully, so as not to hurt his head, Dale laid back on the clean bedspread, placing his hands over his face, and released the sigh he’d been holding while her hands were in his hair and her body so close to his.
===
It was cold and the sweat on his chest made him shiver, but Dale was more focused on turning the light beside his bed on, banishing the vague shadows in his room to the corners. Then he was dialing the number before he was even fully awake, wiping sweat and sleep from his eyes as he waited. He hoped he hadn’t been screaming. There were tears on his cheeks.
“Dale?” Audrey’s voice was gentle, if a little croaky. She sounded half-asleep herself. “Are you all right? It’s—gosh, it’s late. What happened?”
He went to open his mouth and froze. Static images flashed in his head, cryptic, terrifying, bloody—his voice came in a jolt of emotion that sounded alien to his ears.
“Audrey.” It came out as a sob. “I—I’m so sorry to bother you. I know it’s late. I—”
The line crackled with the sound of covers rustling. “It’s all right.” Audrey’s voice was soft. “Dale, it’s all right. I’m coming over. Are you hungry?”
“I don’t know. I’m sorry, Audrey, I’m not—I’m not myself at the moment.”
“Is it all right if I come over? You sound like—” she hesitated, and Dale could hear her choosing her words— “you sound like you need a friend.”
Dale chuckled, a little brokenly. “I think I do.”
“Give me ten minutes.”
When the knock came, he had enough presence of mind to slide a shirt over his shoulders before opening the door. The vestiges of his dreams made him wonder if, for a split second, he would see a gunman on the other side, or a giant. But it was just Audrey, wrapped in a soft robe, carrying a basket in her arms.
“I thought you might want some tea, so I brought my kettle, and some snacks—” she stepped in as Dale waved her past, smiling warmly at him. Her hair was pulled back in a simple ponytail, which gave her face a different shape than he was used to. Quietly, she set up the basket of snacks, plugged in the kettle, got some water from the sink and set the kettle to boil.
Dale wanted to say something pseudo-noble, and polite, because she didn’t need to be here, she chose to be here, and he wanted to be the gentleman she deserved—
Instead he found himself reaching for her, pulling her into his arms, tucking her against his chest. He heard a little gasp and wondered if he’d imagined it.
“Thank you for coming,” he said into her hair. It was all he could say.
“Of course. You don’t need to say thank you.” He could feel her lips moving, and remembered with clarity that he hadn’t buttoned his shirt. So much for being a gentleman.
Audrey pulled back to look at him. “Those nightmares of yours must be doozies, considering all that you had to put up with last time you came to town.” Her fingers brushed through his hair. “Do we need to get you a different room? Maybe being in here brought up too many bad memories.”
“No, this is still fine.” The leftover fear was already almost gone, and Audrey had only been there for five minutes. He hugged her again. “Besides, not all of the memories from this room are bad ones.”
An entirely different kind of fear washed over him. He felt Audrey stiffen and he immediately let go of her, stepping back. “Audrey, I’m so sorry, I shouldn’t have said that. That was inappropriate and presumptive. Please forgive me—”
“Dale—Dale, it’s okay!” Audrey was already in his space again, shushing him, smiling. She didn’t look offended. “I didn’t take it that way. I was just a little surprised, is all. I would have thought—I mean. I was awfully invasive. Embarrassingly so.”
“You’ve already apologized, Audrey, it’s in the past. I can only imagine how painful that time was for you—I was so wrapped up in the case, your father was—”
“Committing crimes and pretending to be a 19th-century war general?”
“Yes. The point is, Audrey, you’ve apologized, and you’ve respected my boundaries since then, and I’m not hurt, and neither are you. You’ve been nothing but a wonderful friend to me since that day—who else would have come up here at 3 in the morning with tea and snacks, anyway?”
“Oh, I don’t know.” Dale could see the pleased flush in her cheeks and could tell she was being modest. “There’s a lot of people in this town who love you, Dale.”
“But you came.”
Audrey poked him. “You called.”
They looked at one another, and something seemed to shift between them. Audrey was the first to break the silence, clearing her throat and turning to the kettle.
“Water’s hot,” she said, voice softer than it had been. Dale jumped into action, grabbing mugs and teabags from the basket and setting them up so Audrey could pour the water. They were side by side again, like they’d been in his kitchen, and Dale realized how natural it felt to be next to her like this. He wanted to wrap his arms around her waist and hold her against his chest, bump her hip with his playfully, press a kiss to the top of her head or her cheek. He realized he’d stopped moving, and was now fully staring at Audrey as she poured the water, taking in every movement of her hands and the concentration on her face.
“You’re very pretty, Audrey.”
She actually jumped, and the old guilt rose up in his chest, worried that he’d said something wrong, but there was pink in her cheeks and he could see that she was fighting a pleased smile.
“That’s very kind of you to say. Especially since I don’t look my best,” she joked, gesturing to her bathrobe.
“I think you look just fine.”
“Dale,” she said softly, “what is this?”
“I—I don’t quite know, Audrey, I’m sorry. I just…I like having you around me. And I think you’re very pretty. I suppose. I’m sure I’m not thinking straight, it’s three o’clock in the morning, and—”
There was a light pressure on his cheek, and a warm mug was being pushed into his hands. Audrey came back off her tiptoes and smiled at him. “Dale,” she said, “stop apologizing, and let a lady enjoy being complimented by a handsome man.”
Dale felt his ears burning. “I—yes, ma’am.”
===
Three days later, Audrey found herself in Dale Cooper’s living room, about to propose a date.
“A dance at the Great Northern,” Dale said, grinning ear to ear. “Now that sounds like a fine way to spend an evening.”
“That’s not all,” Audrey said, suddenly nervous. She twisted her hands together and looked up into his face. “I—I wanted to ask you to be my date for the night.”
“Oh,” Dale breathed. “Well, Audrey, I. I haven’t taken a nice girl on a date in so long. I’m afraid I might have forgotten how.”
She wanted to take his collar and shake him and tell him that his experience was the last thing on her mind. She settled for shrugging.
“I don’t care. I want you to be my date anyway.” She looked at him through her eyelashes, trying to turn on some of her old charm. “I would be happy to have you.”
“Then I’ll be there. With bells on. Or maybe just a suit.”
“It’s a casual dance,” Audrey said, laughing a little. “You can wear a nice sweater and jeans and no one will care.”
“What would you like me to wear, Audrey?” He looked very serious. And was that a challenge in his eye? Surely not. “If I’m your date, I’d hate to wear something you don’t like.”
Audrey felt like she had been given all the power in the world. “Your nice red sweater,” she said, slowly, “and jeans. That’s it.” Something leaped into her head and she felt herself speaking before she could stop herself. “And no hair gel.”
“Okay. Why not?”
Because if the night goes right, and I end up kissing you, I want your hair to be as soft as possible.
“Because I like how soft your hair is,” she said, trying to match his challenge. “It looks nice with the gel, too, but, I’d like something a little more…cozy.” She drew herself up to her full height. “And what would you like me to wear?”
“Whatever you like,” he seemed to say without thinking. “There’s not an outfit you’ve worn that I haven’t liked.”
Cooper, 1, Horne, 0. He had no idea how good he was at flustering her, did he?
“Friday night. Seven o’clock. I’ll meet you at the hotel?”
“Sounds wonderful.” Dale leaned down and pressed the softest kiss to her cheek. “I look forward to it.”
===
Why the music always had to be strange, Audrey didn’t know. The bands they hired just seemed to have a penchant for musing, tentative jazz that made her feel odd. Whatever the case, at least she was used to the sound. But the rest of the room was cozy and warm. A roaring fire blazed in the corner of the room and patrons of the hotel were drinking punch and milling around, dancing to the music and laughing.
Suddenly Dale was standing at the corner of the room, looking for her, the light from the fire making his eyes sparkle. The sweater hugged his arms nicely and the jeans looked comfortably worn in. His hair was just as floppy and soft as she’d hoped. He caught her eye and grinned, coming over, offering his hand to her, then catching her up in a surprise twirl that made her gasp and giggle.
“Very pretty, Audrey. The colors really suit you.”
She curtsied with a little drama, making sure to pick up the cobalt blue skirt in her hands for extra flair. “Thank you, dear sir. Shall we dance?”
They twirled and cut a rug as the music picked up, teasing one another, changing partners, but always finding one another again. Dale was not the best dancer, and it was cute to watch him apologize for stepping on toes or twirling someone a little clumsily. She liked best when he apologized to her, because he usually leaned into her ear, like so, breath warm on her cheek as he murmured, “I’m sorry, Audrey,” against the shell of her ear, making her shiver.
“Oh, Dale,” she sighed after he apologized for the fifth time, “must you always be so noble?” She meant it as a joke, but it came out with a hint of longing.
“It’s the only way I know to be, Audrey. I’m scared of what I am without my standards.” He’d also meant that as a joke, but it came out regretful. They’d stopped switching partners as the music had slowed, and were now holding one another close, turning just barely to the beat.
“I think you are a wonderful man, with and without your standards,” Audrey said confidently, trying to lighten the mood. “Your past doesn’t scare me, Dale. You forget where I come from.” She raised her chin and saw the way he was looking at her, and half her confidence vanished in an instant. They were inches apart, and everywhere they touched felt like fire. The music finished with a final flourish, and the couples on the floor began to break apart, looking for more punch or a chair. Dale was still holding her, looking at her with a peculiar expression. She tightened her fingers ever so slightly in the knit of his sweater and he seemed to come back to himself, a sense of resolve coming over his features.
“Audrey, would you come with me to my room for a moment? I think—I need to be alone. With you. But only if you’re comfortable with it, of course.”
Audrey gave him a quick once-over, seeing the hope in his eyes, and flashed him a smile that was half nerves, half daring.
“I’m all yours.”
===
“Are you sure this is all right?”
Dale had all but dragged Audrey down the hallway to his room, but now that they were alone, Audrey could tell he was losing his nerve. “I would hate to—I don’t want to ruin anything. Or make you uncomfortable. Are you comfortable?” He was still close, but had let go of her hand and was standing a foot or so away, running a nervous hand through his hair. “Can I make you some coffee?”
“I’m just fine. Dale, relax. You haven’t ruined anything.” Audrey felt her hands shaking as she closed the gap again, stopping just a few inches away, looking up almost defiantly into his eyes. She’d moved out of the way of the cracked door, concealing their presence to anyone wandering down the hall. Smoothing down her skirt, she took a breath and pulled the clip out of her hair, letting it fall down in an ungraceful clump at the base of her neck. “You are a good friend and a great man,” she said, plunging her hands into her hair, shaking out the tangles, “and you are doing just fine.”
Dale was watching her with round eyes. She could hear the slight rustle of his shirt as his hands moved, almost of their own accord, towards her.
“Besides,” she continued, and stepped into his space, taking one hand at a time, unbuttoning the cuffs of his sleeves, “What was it you told me? ‘Friendship is the foundation of any lasting relationship?’”
“It’s nice,” Dale said, so close Audrey could feel his breath on her nose, “to be quoted accurately.” His hands hovered just above her waist.
“Please,” Audrey said, so softly she was afraid he wouldn’t hear her. Her heart was pounding wildly, afraid she’d been wrong. “Please, Dale.”
“Oh, damn it,” said Cooper, and then his hands were on her face and he was kissing her, albeit a little clumsily, but Audrey couldn’t bring herself to care. She let her hands wander up his back, into his hair, which, without its customary gel, was just as soft and thick as she’d hoped. He made a little noise in the back of his throat, just shy of a whimper, when she tugged gently on the strands to pull him closer.
“I’m sorry,” he breathed when they broke apart, a hand sliding down her back. “It’s been so long since I’ve done this. I don’t have the slightest idea how to woo a beautiful woman anymore.”
“I think you did pretty well, if I say so myself. It was cute how flustered you got when I first kissed you all that time ago.”
Laughing, Dale dropped his head onto Audrey’s shoulder. “I remember that. Gosh, Audrey, you nearly gave me a heart attack. Denise was asking about you for two days after that.” He drew her close, kissing her hard and quick. “I nearly went after you when you walked out. You make me so crazy I can’t stand it.”
“What can I say? I’ve always been a charmer.” Audrey kissed both his cheeks, then dragged his mouth back down to hers, savoring the way he melted into her hands. He didn’t seem to need much practice for his skills to come back in full force, and soon Audrey was just as breathless as he was, his arms the only thing keeping her upright. It was almost as if he’d noticed her weak knees, because then he was gently backing her up against the wall, asking if she was comfortable when he pulled away to press feathery kisses down her jaw and neck, bringing a hand up to support the back of her neck as he came back up to her mouth.
“Audrey Horne,” Cooper sighed against her lips, hair a wild tangle, one hand splayed out next to her head on the wall. “Let me take you out to dinner.”
“An invite to dinner after a night of dancing? Sounds like a proper romance, Dale,” Audrey couldn’t help but say, her voice coming out a little higher than she expected. She pulled back just enough to fix him with a teasing stare.
He took her face in his hands, kissing her forehead and her nose. “Gosh, I hope so.”
===