Page 54

“Actually, yes,” she nodded. “Maybe.”

“All in all, I think it’s a good thing,” Cody added gently. “If not for you, who knows… She may never have been found. We can’t bring her back to life, but at least we can seek justice for her now.”

“I had another brief flash of insight at the beach.” Cody was pleased to see her smiling about it this time. “When I went underwater, I felt Cassie there with me. I swear I even heard her voice.”

“What did she say?”

“Thank you. And that she was okay now.”

“Good. I hope she is. How are you, Kim?”

“I’m okay.”

“Yeah?” Cody rubbed her hand gently over the back of her neck.

“Well… Slightly discombobulated, you might say, but okay overall. I’m glad I told you what happened.”

“So am I.”

“And actually…” Once again, Kim’s expression turned both intent and thoughtful. “Forget just feeling okay. What we shared today, Cody, was amazing. Gorgeous. It really touched me to the core.”

“You told me earlier that you don’t go out much or date,” Cody prompted. “Because of what happened?”

“Yes. I haven’t wanted to be touched in a long time.”

“Thank you for letting me close.”

“You’re special, Cody. I used to go out… before. But there was never anyone serious. Now you also said something to me earlier that struck me right here.” Kim touched her own heart with an open palm. “About wanting me to kiss only you.”

Cody winced a little. “Yeah, sorry about that.”

“Why?” Kim exclaimed, baffled.

“I didn’t mean to sound overly possessive or aggressive, even. Especially now I know what happened to you in Texas. I would never—”

“Forget it,” Kim interrupted. “You make me feel the exact opposite of what happened, Cody. Safe, free, empowered, joyful. Don’t you know?”

“I was hoping, yes.”

“You do. And what you said was beautiful. Possessive, yes, but in a good way. That’s how I took it.”

“Okay. Good.”

“Yes. And please do not confuse aggressive with passionate either.” Kim smiled, ran her fingers through her hair, and held her the way Cody was fast becoming addicted. “I like you a little fierce.”

“I’m glad,” Cody whispered. “Because I’m not sure I can be any other way with you.”

chapter 18

Quinn insisted on reading through every email. It took a while, but she was the thorough kind, both at work and in private. Lia admired that quality about her.

“Typical,” she declared then, showing she could be overly blunt at times too.

“What does that mean? Tell me more,” Lia invited.

“Well, she starts off all nice and chatty, doesn’t she? Giving you this,‘Hey, long time no see, how-are-you-darling?’ kind of vibe. But then—”

“She’s not British.”