He knew he’d gone too far the moment the words were out of his mouth. Knew it even as he was saying it but couldn’t pull back. Park had been a fine partner. A good partner. If anything, his unflappable amiability had made Cooper feel too comfortable, drawing him closer and relaxing his tensions like a campfire on a cold night. But something about Park calling him lonely had cut deeper than he thought possible, and like an animal with his back against the wall, he’d wanted to fling the same back in his face.
