Free The Anomaly by J.A. Cooper Page A

future.
    We prep our ingredients, add it to the pot, stir, stand and wait, talk, stir some more, until it’s time to taste our dish.
    “Here, Leigh, let me serve you,” Carter says, picking up a silver serving spoon. He takes a plate and heaps two large servings of the food on top. Then he places the plate on the counter and dishes out his serving. The chef hands everyone a complimentary glass of wine.
    “Cheers.” Carter holds up his glass and I toast with him. “To many more meals, I hope,” he says. My legs become gooier than the cheese used in our recipe and a love song goes off in my head.
    I don’t say anything, but I give Carter a smile that I hope conveys volumes.
    We tell each other goodnight out in the parking lot.
    “See you in two days,” Carter says.
    Ahhh. Two days was way too long. “Okay,” I say.
    Carter shakes his head. “Or maybe we can do something tomorrow.”
    I smile. “Sure.”
    “Goodnight, then.” He leans in and kisses me at a point between my lips and cheek. I want to tilt my neck enough for him to land directly on my lips, right where I want his lips to be.
    Carter eases back. “I’ll watch you off before I go.”
    “Okay.” I smile at him, then walk to my car, put on my seatbelt, start the engine, and wave bye to him before I drive off. While I’m driving, I shake my head a little in disbelief at how comfortable yet somewhat nervous I am around Carter. The butterflies in my stomach constantly flutter whenever I see him, and truthfully, I don’t want them to go away.
    He calls me after I reach home.
    “Just want to hear your voice and check that you’ve reached home safely.”
    “Yep, I’m here.”
    “Well, I’d like to take you out tomorrow, if that’s alright with you.”
    “Of course. I’m off tomorrow.”
    Carter tells me he’ll call me.
    I go to bed, anxious for the sun to come up. It’s such a different feeling than when I was with Todd. Heck, I can’t remember the last time I anticipated doing anything with Todd.
    I breathe a sigh of relief, knowing I’ve made the right decision by ending that relationship.

Leigh Baker's finally gotten rid of her mooching, long-term boyfriend. But one is turning out to be a lonely number.
    A new hobby, her good friends, a sexy man...that's what Leigh needs. When Leigh meets Carter Malone, the attraction’s immediate. But as quickly as the romance heats up, it cools off. The thing is, Leigh can't figure out why.
    When Carter pops back into Leigh's life, it turns out he's the new English professor. According to Carter, getting involved with her would bring risks he doesn't need. But something keeps drawing them together.
    And when love comes knocking twice, sometimes all you can do is open the door.