“And you’resureVince isn’t a bookie?”
Okay, I have to put a stop to this before Cody tarnishes Vince’s good name. “I’m positive. Vince is a good man. He does a lot for this town. He started the food bank and makes sure it’s well-stocked.”
Cody arches a brow.
“What?” I ask.
“I drove by there last night. I’m surprised there’s need for one in this town.”
“Well, there must be if he put it here.”
Cody stands up and paces behind the chair. “Why would you establish a food bank in one of the richest towns in the state?”
I shrug. “But anytime I drive by the parking lot is full.”
Cody stops pacing and places his hands on the back of the chair. “There’s a need for it in Pine Valley.”
Pine Valley is where we both grew up—though we were very much from different areas. Most of Pine Valley was comprised of families, like Cody’s, that struggled to make ends meet. I grew up in the hills which bordered Fallwell Cove; both were made up of more affluent families.
Both towns funneled into one high school; that’s where we met. The memory of that day has never faded.
Billy Burmark had me cornered at my locker. It was my junior year, and he insisted we go to the homecoming dance together. He wasn’t taking no for an answer. When Cody leaned up against the lockers and asked if I was all right, Billy backed off. Cody smiled, and I was smitten. We were always together after that.
Until he left.
“You will have to ask Vince about why he chose to have the food bank here,” I snap.
His jaw ticks as he runs his hand through his dark hair. Why the hell does it still have to be so thick?
My eyes travel down to his T-shirt again. I swear I could see a six-pack through the tight fabric. But what really catches my eye is a tattoo peeking out of one short sleeve. When I make my way back to his face, he’s smiling. He knows I was checking him out.
Damn him for being better looking now than he was at eighteen.
He moves to my side of the desk and leans down on it. He’s within inches. His scent wafts around me, turning me on. I squeeze my legs together. Then I feel the heat emanating from his body. I want to reach out and touch him, but instead, I cross my arms.
“I’m sorry,” he says. “I got us off-topic. What are we going to do about that student?”
I’m glad he isn’t going to harass Vince, but I don’t want to talk about Randy either.
“We? Nothing. I’ll just be sure I’m not the last one leaving a class again.”
He pins me with a stare. “I don’t like it.”
Before I can respond, there’s a knock on my door. The doorknob jiggles and Cody is up and at the door in a flash. He throws the door open.
“Oh, sorry. I didn’t realize you had someone in here. Are we still on?” Ted Barton looks at me between giving Cody side glances.
I forgot I agreed to discuss our joint class after I was finished today. Ted teaches classes in computer science and the lab portion of my Neuroethology and Programming for Psychology class. I’ve enjoyed working with him, and right now, I’m actually happy to be working tonight.
“Yes, we are. Cody was just leaving.” I grab my purse and stand.
Ted shifts uncomfortably in the hallway outside my door. Cody is clenching his fists. I realize this might look like a date, but frankly, I don’t care. Let Cody stew on that. To see that it bothers him after all these years feels good.
I probably shouldn’t feel that way, but dammit, I do.
“Be careful around Randy. I don’t trust him.” Cody finally storms out the door.
Ted gives me a strange look. “Is that your boyfriend?” he asks.
