In the years he’d been back, he hadn’t seen much of Sophie. He remembered Aria saying something about a controlling boyfriend, and Cooper wracked his brain, trying to remember. Hell, he hadn’t even noticed she hadn’t been around much. All things considered, Sophie was virtually a stranger to him. How was he supposed to handle this?

Sophie snuggled beneath Cooper’s jacket, which was still warm from his body. The man himself was as silent as a rock. He sat at the far end of the couch, putting as much distance between them as possible, and seemed to be waiting for her to regain her sanity. Either that or lose it completely and begin dancing around naked and chanting prayers in some mysterious language. The heavy silence was unendurable, and although she knew she had put him in a difficult position, she was angry with him for not saying something. Anything.

“You’ve got that strong, silent thing down to an art,” she said finally.

“No one would believe you if you told them that,” he replied. “I’m the family gossip, after all.”

“Yeah, right,” she muttered. “You’re the family playboy.”

“Is that what the ladies are saying?”

He sounded amused by the prospect, and Sophie turned her head until she was facing him again. Most of the tears that had gathered in her eyes were gone, but she was pretty sure a snot bubble was hanging from her nose.

“As if you don’t know that.” Her voice had a hard edge, even though she’d meant to tease him. “You’ve got that buff, sexy thing going on. Add in your charming personality, and I’m surprised women’s pants don’t magically fall down when you pass them in the street.”

“You think they don’t?”

His eyes twinkled mischievously, and Sophie almost smiled. “That’s exactly what I mean. All you men think about is sex.”

“What’s going on, Soph?” The nickname slid off his tongue easily, and she liked the way it sounded. Not many men dared to shorten her name.

“Man troubles,” she explained. “I’ll get over it.”

“Vent to me,” he offered. “I don’t mind being used as a verbal punching bag.”

“That’s nice of you, but you don’t have to listen to my problems.”

“Wait a moment.” Cooper left the couch, strode out of view and returned with the bottle of wine. “More comfortable now?” he asked, handing it to her.

“Are you kidding? I’ve got booze and a hot man. What else do I need?”

She was deflecting, and she was sure he knew it.

“Tell me what’s wrong.”

This time it wasn’t a request, but a command. Surprising herself, Sophie obeyed. “Evan cheated on me.”

“I’m sorry.”