The crisp breeze blew though Brooke's hair.

"You cold?"

"What?" she asked, looking up at him.

Cooper smiled, blue eyes twinkling.

"I asked if you were cold."

"No. Why?"

"You shivered", he noted.

She looked around before stopping.

"I'm fine. It's just…"

"Just what?"

"I don't know. This is gonna sound way stupid."

"Try me."

He was giving her that smile again. Not the sexy one when he was being mischievous. And not the cute one when he was telling her a story as he reminisced about his past. Hell, the man couldn't smile and have it not be sexy but her favorite one had to be the one he was flashing her at that moment. The one where his lips smiled as well as his eyes as he looked at her with interest and sincerity, waiting patiently for her words. Brooke had been seeing more and more of that smile. Ever since the random night in the bar, the two had found themselves spending more and more time together. It wasn't something planned, it seemed like mere coincidence that their separate energies seemed to gravitate towards each other. On a chilly evening Brooke Davis had ventured downtown for window shopping at the same time Cooper Lee so happened to in the same area looking at motorcycles. They had talked and exchanged friendly hugs after running into one another before he had bought her a cappuccino and they had taken a walk along the Market Street Docks just before sunset.

"You know, I've lived here in Tree Hill my whole life and gosh, I must have walked on this very same path like a billion times but I never took the time to notice how pretty it is out here. I mean, it's gorgeous…just everything. The water, the quaint little old town, the people…and look at the sun. Have you ever seen anything like it?"

Cooper looked at her as she talked. Her eyes were so animated, lit up and enlarged as she spoke with the wonderment and innocence of a child. Natural, pristine beauty…no he had never seen anything like it. And he wasn't talking about the sun.

"It's nice out here."

Brooke shoved a hand in her pocket near her expensive designer purse.

"If they could see me now", she quipped. "Pretty lame, huh?"

"Actually it's not. I'm out here, too so we could be lame together."

Brooke gave him a shy smile as they stopped and took a seat at a nearby table.

"You always say the right things, hot uncle Coop."

"What can I say?" he grinned. "I try. So tell me. How was your day? Tell me all about the life of a pretty, popular high school senior."

Brooke rolled her eyes.

"Oh the drama. Just kidding. Actually today was pretty tame and surprisingly drama free."

"What about your math quiz?"

"Math quiz? You mean the one in Geometry II?"

"Yeah. How'd you do?"

Brooke laughed.

"Good actually. I did a lot better than I thought I did. I got a 90."

"A 90? That's great, Brooke. It's awesome. I'm really proud of you."

"Thanks. It's just that…"

"What?"

"Nothing", she shrugged. "It's just…well, I'm surprised you even remembered that."

"What can I say? I have a great memory or maybe I just pay attention a lot."

"It's cool. Kind of sweet but weird."

"Weird?"

"Yeah. You sound like a dad…if I had a dad that gave two shits about my grades."

Cooper laughed.

"Dad, huh? Well, if it makes you feel any better, I check up on Nate's grades, too. He just so happens to have an advantage…he gets to make out with his tutor."

"Haley is cool and all but you won't catch me lip locking with her anytime soon. Sorry."

"Well, I'm glad school and the quiz and everything is fine. What about cheerleading?"

Brooke rolled her eyes.

"The 'c' word."

"That good, huh?"

"It's okay."

"Just okay? You seem to love it. I've seen you at the games."

"Not as much as I used to. Believe it or not, that used to be my life. I'd spend hours choreographing our routines and I lived for the competitions we'd have every year in Charlotte. I'd walk around the halls with my popular self in the popular clique, you know, Brooke Davis head cheerleader, queen of the school. That was all that mattered to me."

"What happened?"

"I grew up. I realized some things are more important. Anyway, it's not nearly as fun as it used to be."

"Then why stick with it? I mean, there are a lot of things I like to do that I'm good at. No matter what, I have to be having fun doing it. Otherwise, what's the point?"

"I don't know. Learned behavior, maybe. But it's my last year. It would have been too weird not to do it. But it's not all bad. I guess I still like it. The girls are like sisters to me, well, all except Rachel."

Cooper raised an eyebrow.

"Rachel, Mouth's girlfriend."

"Unfortunately", Brooke rolled her eyes. "You know her?"

"Let's just say, we've been acquainted. Anyway. I thought you two were friends. I mean, you hang out with the same crowd."

"Rachel and I…how shall I put it? We have a very strange relationship and it's probably not healthy."

"Love and hate?"

"Something like that. More of a 'keep your friends close and your enemies closer' but the little trick kind of grew on me. Don't get me wrong, we still fight like cats and dogs. The fact that we're co captains literally makes me want to cringe. She wears too much make up and I often fantasize about punching her face in but other that we pretty much get along."

"High school", Cooper fondly reminisced with a smile.

"Yeah, nothing like it. But that's not the worst of my afternoon. I can handle Rachel. Kelly on the other hand…"

"Kelly? Lucas' new girlfriend?"

"That'd be the one."

"Must be tough seeing her every day."

"I wish I didn't have to honestly but I do so I deal with it."

"It hurts, huh?"

Brooke shook her head.

"Not really. I mean, it used to. Now it just makes me angry. And not 'Rachel annoyed angry' but really, really pissed off. I hate that. It gives her control, power over me that she has the ability to make me feel that way."

Her voice trailed off as she looked away. The feelings had remained buried inside for so long. Brooke had quit talking about them, stopped sharing them with her closest confidantes and eventually denying it to herself. Ever so often the truth would emerge. The lingering pain, anger, confusion and jealousy. And now she was baring her soul to a virtual stranger.

"Brooke…"

"Sorry for rambling", she tried to joke. "That's what you get hanging out with a teenager."

Instinctively he placed his larger hand atop her smaller one.

"You're human, Brooke", he said softly. "And that's real. I've told you so many times before, I think you're wise way beyond your years. At your age I was a complete moron. Hell, my sister and brother in law still think I am. But I think you're great. Great and smart and funny and beautiful."

Brooke swallowed hard trying to ignore the butterflies churning within. They were sitting so close and those eyes, God, those amazing blue eyes. And his hand. His hand was actually touching her hand and she felt like her heart might beat right out of her chest.

"You're not", she answered softly, the words escaping her throat without control.

"What?"

"You're not a moron. I think you're pretty great, too."

He looked at her, the moment perfect with its romantic breeze and setting sun. Yes, it was perfect…almost too perfect. He quickly pulled away.

"It's getting late", he cleared his throat.

"Yeah…late."

"I promised Deb I'd be home for dinner. She'll have a cow if I'm late."

"Sure, if you have to go…"

"I do but I'll see you around."

He gave her a smile as he stood and turned to leave. Long after he had gone away, Brooke continued to sit. She watched the sun disappear completely just as Cooper had. The only thing left of a mysteriously magic moment was the last purple and gold ray of a darkening sky over the river's crystal waters. She couldn't help but smile to herself. It wasn't love, she wasn't even sure if it was a real crush. All she did know was that she liked him and she enjoyed his company…and the feeling seemed to be mutual. Whatever it was, it was as fleeting at the magnificent sunset. But for a moment, that one moment, her moment…their moment, it had been nice.