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My heart beats way faster than it should as I sit and watch my message be read, and then the dots begin bouncing as he taps out a reply.

Right now, Cooper is traveling to Boston for a game tomorrow.

It’s the first night we’re not going to spend together in five days.

They’ve been the most perfect days filled with the best sex of my life.

Cooper is different. After telling me about Leo and what happened in Vancouver, he’s relaxed even more around me, and every second that I spend with him, I’m getting to know the real him better.

And I’m learning very quickly that the man behind the pads is very different to the man he allows the world to see.

I like him. A lot.

A little too much, I fear.

RoughingTheModel: I’m good. Been busy with work. I’m out of town again.

HotScore: Damn, you’re away a lot.

RoughingTheModel: Yeah. I love it though. How’s the job hunt going?

HotScore: Terrible. Still looking for a model?

RoughingTheModel: About that…

Hope blooms within me.

HotScore: Go on.

RoughingTheModel: I might have met someone…

A laugh bubbles out of me, earning me a look from a guy sitting at the next table in the coffee shop I’m currently wasting my afternoon in.

HotScore: That’s awesome. I’m happy for you.

HotScore: Is he hot?

Damn it, I shouldn’t have asked that. But I couldn’t stop myself.

RoughingTheModel: Oh yeah

My smile grows impossibly wide. It only takes a couple of seconds for my cheeks to start aching.

Cooper thinks I’m hot, and he’s telling the guy he’s been chatting to online about me.

This is good, right?

I wish I had someone to ask.

I glance across the street at the salon my sister is currently busy working in.

I so desperately want to tell her.

I know I can trust her with any and every secret I have, but I don’t want to put that pressure on her. It would kill her to keep it from Calvin, but I can’t risk it getting out.

It would kill me if I were the reason Cooper was thrown into the spotlight before he’s ready.

If we’re going to continue with whatever this is, it has to be on his terms. And I’m okay with that.