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It feels like I’m getting a warm, Cody-scented hug.
For a moment…
Just a moment…
My defenses are eviscerated and I allow myself to soak in the comfort of having a piece of him touching my skin.
Then I remember that I’m supposed to be keeping him atarm’s length,not pretending those figurative arms are around me.
Snap out of it. He’s an uptight Count Dracula with the personality of a bull. He’ll do anything to get what he wants. You can’t make it easy for him.
I stiffen, my fingers moving toward the lapels of the jacket so I can slide it off me.
“Keep it on.” His fingers cover mine. They’re warm, swallowing my hand whole.
A surge of heat slams into me.
It doesn’t matter how innocent Cody’s touches are. Once his skin gets anywhere near mine, my body goes wild.
Get a grip, Clarissa. He’s your ex, and he left you standing alone in front of Elvis. You will not fall for him again.
I clear my throat and force the jacket off. Shoving it at him, I say, “I’ll just roll up the window.”
He accepts the jacket, a twinkle in his eye. “You’re in a mood today.”
“You don’t know my moods anymore.”
“It’s hard to misinterpret a scowl that dark.”
“Funny.” I roll my eyes.
Apparently, Cody lives for the thrill because he can’t help poking at a bear. “Nice shoes.”
I whip my head up and our eyes lock. Linger.
Is it just me or is it getting hot in here?
“I’m glad you wore them, Ris,” Cody says.
I clear my throat and glance down at the delicate pumps with the transparent sides and 3D butterflies. I want to pretend that I don’t care and fancy shoes don’t make a difference, but I can’t. Just stepping out of my house in these made me feel like a woman on a mission. A woman out to change the world.
“I wore them for Mimi’s sake, not yours. She put in a lot of effort and it would be rude to her and her staff if I didn’t.”
“Of course.”
“I told her to thankwhoeverarranged it.” I stare straight ahead, not giving him the satisfaction of thinking I’m going to fawn over him because he bought me a department store in a truck.
“He doesn’t need thanks,” Cody says.
“What does he need then?”
“You.”
My eyelashes flutter.
Cody’s not wearing a smile to soften the words. His face is earnest, implicitly stern. As if the balance of the world hangs on my response.
Oh.