Free The Barefoot Groom: Bachelor Billionaire Romance (A Last Play Companion) by Taylor Hart

time.” Then he turned into the gallery, dropping the door.
    Cooper sauntered in, grateful to be out of the woman’s clutches. Truly, he thought, she needed his seminar.
    Looking around, he knew Sterling wouldn’t approve of the relaxed way he dressed. He snorted to himself. Sterling should be glad he wore shoes at all.
    Men and women were attired in tuxes and sparkly dresses. He reached for a glass of wine from the waiter and searched for Sterling. He could make an appearance and get back to his house and get in a soak in the hot tub before bed.
    Of course, once he thought of the hot tub, he thought of her. Thought of her red swimming suit and the way she’d laughed hard when he said the book was just okay. He thought of the passionate look on her face when she talked about her nonprofit.
    Weaving his way through the well-dressed people, he recognized a few of the local Jackson art supporters and waved or nodded. Truthfully, he was talked out for the evening and only wanted to say hi and then bye.
    The sound of a slap on his back made him stop short.
    “Well how the heck are ya?”
    Hunter James in the flesh. He was sporting a flashy belt buckle and a grin that said he was the happiest man on earth. It filled Cooper with happiness too.
    “Had to interrupt the honeymoon?” Cooper looked past him at Summer. She was standing next to one of her pieces of art, talking with some people.
    Hunter followed his gaze. “We’ll take the jet back to Rome tonight, but Summer insisted we come back for this.” Nodding proudly, he gestured to the wall behind Summer. “She painted all of those. In fact, all of them are already sold.”
    Cooper grinned. “Hmm, let me think about who bought them.”
    Chugging out a laugh, Hunter shook his head. “The woman still won’t let me buy her art.”
    Cooper laughed. It never failed to put a stick in Hunter’s craw when he walked into Cooper’s facility and saw his wife’s picture hanging in the foyer.
    Giving him a glare, Hunter put a hand on Cooper’s shoulder. “Don’t think I’ve forgotten you have that first painting. I’ll get it one day. You’ll see.”
    “If it ever gets stolen, I know the first place to look for it.”
    Settling next to Cooper, Hunter looped his thumbs through his belt. “Thanks for coming out to show your support.”
    Cooper took another sip of wine. “Wouldn’t miss it. I really just wanted to see your stupid grin and make fun of you.”
    Hunter grunted. “Speaking of stupid grins, how’s the new crop of fresh minds for you to mold?”
    Cooper nodded then paused, thinking of London. “Interesting.”
    Immediately pointing at him, Hunter narrowed his eyes. “Ah, is there a woman catching your eye?”
    Not wanting to give away too much, but wanting to talk with someone, Cooper grinned. “No.”
    “Liar.”
    Cooper sighed. “She has a boyfriend.”
    Hunter scoffed. “And she’s at a singles retreat?”
    The question was really beginning to bug him.
    Hunter laughed even deeper. “Hey, if her boyfriend let her go, it doesn’t count. Nope, if she went, then she’s fair game, my brother.”
    Cooper rolled his eyes. “It’s that simple, huh?”
    Hunter leaned back, blowing out a puff of air. “I’ve seen you work your magic when you want to. How bad do you like her?”
    Cooper raised a shoulder nonchalantly. “I just met her.”
    Hunter snorted. “Man, you like her.”
    Cooper knew he was blushing. Sure, he’d gotten to know some of the women who had come to these retreats. It really hadn’t been much of an issue because he hadn’t been ready yet. Everything with Nadia …
    “No.” Hunter scolded. “Don’t do the whole pathetic look and all that.”
    Cooper would punch anyone else except Hunter for telling him that. “Shut up.”
    Hunter sighed. “Look, dude, I know you lost her. I know it’s been hard for you. We’ve all lost sleep worrying about you.”
    It was news to Cooper. “You stayed up nights worrying?”
    Hunter gave