“Brooklyn.”
His answer almost knocks the breath from my lungs.That’s the other side of the country.
I know some people can do long-distance relationships, but I couldn’t bear to have him leave me every weekend, or however often we’d actually get to see each other.
He spins me around and pulls me into his arms. “I’m willing to make this work. I don’t know how yet, but I’ll figure it out.”
I step back and look into his eyes. I believe he wants this. I’m just not sure we can make it happen.
CHAPTER12
Cody
Despite the yearsthat have passed since high school, most of my and Lucy’s favorite places in Pine Valley are still around. I’ve spent the morning planning our date.
I can’t wait to see the look on her face when she sees where I’m taking her. Then my nerves kick in. I really hope she likes it. The second half of the day, I spend waiting for Joseph—that son of a bitch. As much as I want to pummel his ass, I won’t. I can’t.
I’ve already explained to Hawthorne why I can’t be Joseph’s protection any longer, though it was a hard conversation. I hate that a personal matter is interfering with work. Thankfully, Hawthorne said he’ll talk to the university about transferring this assignment to Stormy’s company. I know he’s pissed at me—and rightfully so. But I had no way of knowing when I took this assignment that my ex would be involved.
With my work obligation out of the way, though, it’s time I make it very clear to Joseph that he’s never to come near Lucy again. I still don’t know who Vince’s boss is or if Vince was serious about his threat against Lucy, so my plan is to stick as close to her as possible.
I’m sitting in Joseph’s office when I hear another man address him in the hall.
“Joseph, I told you not to mess with that fund. One cut was enough. Now you want to enforce a second one? You need to fix it, fast.”
“I’m trying. Believe me, I’m trying. It’s my number one priority.”
“All right. I’ll see you at the fundraiser tonight.”
Joseph jumps when he enters his own office and sees me. “Cody? You scared me.”
Good. Starting off on the right foot. But I remain silent.
“What are you doing here?” he asks. “I thought Rover was babysitting today.” He laughs at his own joke.
“I know what you did to Lucy. Twice. Do it again, and I’ll take care of you myself,” I threaten.
Joseph flops in his chair and straightens his tie. “Wait, you were protecting me, then you weren’t, then you were protecting me again, and now you’re threatening me? How do you keep up with a job like yours?” He grins.
The man has the nerve togrin.
“I’ve heard you’ve been spotted with Lucy a few times,” he continues. “Any chance you’re the high school sweetheart she never got over?”
I narrow my eyes at the asshole.
“Ah, so you are. Lucy told me about you when we first met. Don’t worry, I never won her heart. Didn’t want it, really.”
That son of a bitch. “Then why did you marry her?” I swear if he says it was for her family’s money.
“My parents wanted me to marry someone similarly situated, and she and I got along. It worked. But it wasn’t true love, I don’t believe in that.”
Not surprising. He only loves himself. But that’s not my concern.
I stand. “Just so we’re clear, don’t come near Lucy or steal from her ever again.”
“I got your message loud and clear.” He clasps his fingers together in front of him and smiles as if we are ending some sort of business meeting. “Oh, and if you see Rover, tell him he has the night off. I’ll be at a university fundraiser this evening.”
He actually thinks I’m going to take messages from him? Wait. Fundraiser. I need to know who he was talking to.
