Although if he already quit his job, he might not be able to go back.
His thumb stills over my hand. “Is that what you want? Do you want me to leave?”
“No. I want you here.”
When he doesn’t say anything for a moment, I glance up. His eyes are closed.
“Cody?”
He opens his eyes and smiles. “I want to be here too.” He takes my other hand in his. “I overreacted about you calling your dad. I understand you did what you had to in order to keep yourself safe. It blindsided me, you know?”
I nod. “I know. I’m sorry.”
When the music that had been playing in the background becomes louder, I glance at my phone.
“They turn the music up at nine,” I shout to him.
He leans in and shouts back, “Can we go back to my place and talk? It’s a lot quieter.”
“Yes. Let me tell Connie.”
We make our way to the bar where we find Connie and Rover arguing.
“Is everything all right?” Cody asks.
Connie rolls her eyes. “Does your friend know just how arrogant he is?” she asks.
Cody laughs. “Yeah, but please, tell him again.”
Connie turns back to Rover, arms crossed. Amusement dances in Rover’s eyes, and I can tell he’s loving this.
“Connie, we were going to leave if that’s all right,” I say. “But if you rather we stay, we can.”
Rover grins. “You two go. We’ll be fine.”
Connie turns to me. “I’ll be fine. I don’t know about him.” She shoots a glance at Rover. “You two go and talk.”
“Oh baby, you don’t have to lie to them. I know you want them to leave so you can be alone with me.”
Connie turns to Rover. And as if in slow motion, she pours what remains of her margarita over his head then turns to me, smiling. “Seriously, go. I’m fine.”
Cody barks out a laugh. My hand goes to my mouth. I’ve never seen Connie assault someone with a drink before. Usually, she assaults with her words.
“I like you,” Rover says to Connie. He can’t stop grinning. “Let me buy you another one of those.”
Connie turns to him and looks him up and down. Then she smiles. “It really is the least you could do.”
“Let’s go while we can,” Cody whispers in my ear.
Snowflakes fall as we walk outside and toward Cody’s car. He is quiet on the drive. His distance has me nervous. Did I misread him at the bar?
Once we are on his front porch, he turns to me. “Lucy, when I told you before that I’ll do whatever I can to make this work, I meant it. I got a job up here and I’m here to stay. You’re it for me.”
I step toward him and wrap my arms around his waist. “Cody, you’re it for me too.”
I stare into his eyes. They’re glassy, but he’s smiling.
“Really? Does this mean we’re together now? I mean officially?” he asks.
