Keys To Her Heart (Brookfield) (6 page)

“Good.”

“It’s kind
of you to call and ask, especially when this isn’t your concern.”

“
I like you and I…” He had no idea how to finish the sentence.

“T
hank you.”

The line was quiet. Maybe calling had been a mistake. He hadn’t thought this through. “Where are you two eating?”

“At home. Hot ham and cheese wraps with chips.”

That sounded good. There was nothing like ham and melted cheese. “I’m having the pork chop special.”

“That is popular. Mike brings in crowds with those chops.”

He smiled, enjoying this small talk with her. “I’ve had them before. They are good.”

A woman’s voice called to Lily. “I’ve got to go. Thanks for calling about Gunther. Again, that was sweet of you.”

He wished he had some sort of excuse to keep her on the line. “It was no problem. Enjoy your lunch.”

“You, too.”

He set the phone down just as Kathy appeared with his meal. She scooted the plate in front of him and Cody’s mouth watered. That was a big piece of meat with the sides to feed any hungry man.

“What else can I get you?” Kathy asked.

“This is perfect.”

“Good. I’ll be back by in a few. Enjoy.” She turned to the table behind her to see how they were.

Cody cut into his pork chop, his thoughts not on how good it tasted, but on Lily instead. Was he making a mistake pursuing this? He had no guarantee she’d want to date him, but for some reason he just couldn’t walk away from her. He had to try.

* * * *

Eight in the morning on a Saturday was way too early to be driving through Brookfield to the park to meet Heath. At least once it was done Lily had the day to herself. She already felt guilty hiring someone to help with her mom, but she really just needed some time to relax and get her head on straight.

“You did remember your toothbrush, right?”

She glanced at him in the rearview mirror. Gunther nodded.

“Underwear?”

“Yes, Mom,” he replied, his tone the epitome of an exasperated seven-year-old.

She grinned, knowing she was nagging. They’d packed together the night before, and she was certain he had everything, and even if he didn’t, Heath would take care of it.

“We’re here.” She pulled her small sedan into a vacant spot in front of the park.

Heath sat on a bench, sipping from a paper cup. Gunther was out of the car in record speed, running toward his dad. The two embraced. Lily was happy her son was getting some time with his father. He needed it, and she’d given Heath strict instructions to see if Gunther would share with him any news on the bully.

Lily crossed the green grass toward her ex-husband. He held out her own disposable cup. She took it and smiled.

“I knew you’d need more caffeine.” He winked.

She took a drink from the cup. White mocha—one of her favorites. “Thank you. It was on my list to get one of these after I left here. How was the drive?”

“Not bad, and worth it.” He squeezed Gunther close. “I missed this guy.”

“I won’t hold you up. I know you’ve got plans.” The guilt of moving their son so far away from his father seeped in.

“Let’s get your stuff, bud.”

Gunther ran ahead, leaving Lily with Heath as they walked back toward the car. “You look good,” she said.

“You look…tired.”

She sighed. “I can’t hide anything from you.”

“Never could.” He stopped walking. Lily glanced at him, seeing the serious expression on his face. “You don’t have to do this alone. You can put her in a home.”

Lily shook her head. “You don’t put people places.” She hated when people said that. “Besides, she’s my mom. I should be caring for her. If it gets to be too much, I will start looking for new places for her to call home.”

“You’re a good woman,” he said.

“And you’ve got a son waiting on you.” She made her way to the car and popped the trunk open.

Heath removed the small duffle bag and flung it over his shoulder. “Grab your booster seat.”

Once Gunther was buckled into his father’s car, Lily leaned in and hugged him tight. “I’m going to miss you so much. Don’t grow too much over the weekend.”

“Mom.” Gunther rolled his eyes. “I’ll be home tomorrow.”

She kissed his cheek. “Don’t roll your eyes at me, and I love you. Call if you need me.” Lily closed the door and spun around to Heath. “Drive safe. Text me when you get home.”

“Will do.” He pulled the keys from his pocket. “Enjoy some time to yourself.”

Lily leaned against her car and watched as they drove off. She should be feeling the excitement of freedom. She could do whatever she wanted for the next day, but instead, she missed her son the second the car was out of her sight.

She picked up the coffee she’d set on the hood and took a long drink. She glanced out at the park. A few people were out running this morning. God, she wished she had that kind of determination. Lily was one of those people, if you saw her running, you should run yourself, since something was most likely chasing her.

One runner caught her attention just as he stopped a few feet in front of her. He leaned over, hands on his knees as he caught his breath.

“Cody,” escaped her lips.

His head turned, looking at her. Sweaty and sexy. He wore a pair of navy athletic shorts and a white wife beater. And, oh God, the muscles on his arms. She’d not expected to see those. Damn, she really wanted to wrap her hands around them and see if they were as hard as they appeared.

“Hey.” He stood straight.

“You okay?” Cody seemed winded. “Do you run often?”

He chuckled. “I do. However, I just extended my sprint. Pushing myself this morning.”

“Oh
.”  She knew nothing about running, but assumed that meant he was running as fast as he could.

“What are you doing out here?” He ran his hands through his damp hair.

“Gunther just went with his dad.”
So I’m free.

“Do you have any plans?”

Say yes.
Lily didn’t need to get mixed up with him right now. A boyfriend—or whatever he would be—would be one more thing in her life she just didn’t have time for. However, as he stood before her, his shirt clinging to his chest and his hair a sexy, wet mess, she couldn’t find the courage to lie. She had all weekend to get that pedicure, after all. “Nothing set in stone.”

“I’d love to take you out.” He cleared his throat. “If you’d like. No pressure.”

“What did you have in mind?” Anything he came up with would be fun.

“I need a shower. How about I come pick you up in about two hours and we’ll go find something fun to do?”

She shook her head. “Not my house. I’d rather meet you someplace.”

He raised an eyebrow, but didn’t push. “Okay. Eleven here?”

“That works.”

“Good. I’ll see you soon.” He winked and flashed her his incredibly sexy smile.

Lily nodded as she reached behind her to grab the door handle. Only, she hadn’t realized she’d moved several steps toward him. And in her attempt to grab the car handle, she’d lost her balance, landing on her backside.

Her cheeks burned. Why did she keep doing stupid things in front of this man?

“Are you okay?” Cody knelt down. “You’ve got to stop falling.”

Yeah, she was fine, minus the fact her ass hurt from the gravel. “Fine. I thought the car was right behind me.”

He stood and held his hand out to her. She took it. His hand was softer than she expected and as he helped her, he was stronger than she thought as well. She was on her feet so quickly; she fell right against his hard body.

“Sorry.” She gazed up into his eyes.

“No complaints here,” his voice thick.

She stepped back quickly, needing distance between them. “Eleven, right?”

“Right.”

She turned, staring at the door handle as she reached out and grabbed it. This man made her a mess. She climbed into her car and before she could close the door, he grabbed it.

“Wear something comfortable.”

“Comfortable…check.” That was good, she’d only had one nice dress; jeans, however, she had plenty of.

Cody closed the door and waved, before he jogged in the opposite direction.

Lily leaned back in her seat. That man did things to her she’d never experienced. Mainly being clumsy. She’d never considered herself a klutz, but when he was around, everything changed.

Maybe going out with him wasn’t such a good idea. She’d go home, shower, dress in something comfortable, and then come up with an excuse to get out of it.

Chapter Six

Cody stepped out of the shower and began towel drying his body. This morning’s run had been intense. A lot of it had been to release some built up frustration. Go figure when he finished his run, he’d see the woman who had his mind a confused mess.

He shouldn’t have asked her out again, but she was so darn cute, he couldn’t help it. He wanted to know everything about her, including why she looked like a deer in headlights when he suggested picking her up. For some reason, she didn’t want to let him know anything about her personal life.

He pulled clean clothes from his drawers and slipped them on. In about thirty minutes he had to leave to meet up with Lily. The minutes would probably feel like hours. He needed to find something to do to distract himself, or he’d go insane watching the clock.

As he walked through his house toward the kitchen to grab a small snack, he heard his phone beep from the counter. Picking it up, his gut dropped when he saw it was a new text from Lily.

So sorry, have to cancel.

He sighed. He’d been looking forward to this, but had a feeling she’d try to cancel. He wasn’t going to let her out of it that easy.

How come?

He set the phone down and rummaged through the pantry before finally deciding on a granola bar. As he opened the wrapper, his phone alerted him of a text.

I don’t have a reason; it’s just not a good idea, like I said before.

Cody grinned. At least she was honest.

Come out with me as a friend. That’s it.

He ate the granola bar as he waited for her to reply. Staring at the phone, he wondered what was taking so long. He could imagine her typing thirty different messages and deleting them all before she finally decided on one, but he had to wait patiently, which wasn’t easy.

Finally, his phone beeped and the screen showed a simple answer,
okay
.

It was settled, for the next thirty minutes, she was going to go. Cody wondered, however, how many more times she’d try to get out of this before eleven actually came.

Thirty minutes later, he leaned against his truck, staring at the entrance to the park. Hopefully Lily didn’t stand him up. She was complicated and it drove him crazy. He wanted to know why she was so reserved. Her life seemed put together from the outside. She worked, she was a mom, and had a good relationship with her ex. What was holding her back?

He licked his lips and rubbed his chin before glancing at his watch. She was five minutes late. Now his nerves were beginning to get the best of him. Women were always late, though. It was in their handbook, or something, to make a man wait on them.

Finally, her car appeared. He was definitely relieved not to be stood up. Straightening his shirt, he walked over to her car and opened the door. She smiled up at him. Her hair was up in a ponytail, but a few
lose strands outlined her beautiful face.

“I was worried you might not show.”

She sucked in her bottom lip then replied, “That wouldn’t have been kind.”

“Don’t worry, I don’t have some romantic lunch planned. Just lunch then bowling.” That would keep things friendly.

“Bowling?” She laughed. “It’s been a long time. You know, I used to be on a league when I was in high school.”

“Oh yeah?” She was going to whoop his ass at this game.

“Yup. It was fun. It’s where I met my ex.” She put the strap of her purse over her shoulder. “I guess I shouldn’t talk about my ex, huh?”

“It’s fine.” Though it made him feel jealous. “We’re friends. You can talk about whatever you want.”

“You’re something else, Cody.” She brushed past him toward his truck, and he snuck a peak at her ass. Thoughts of spanking her rounded butt entered his mind. That certainly was
not
a
friendly
thought.

Cody had to figure out how to have lunch with her then go bowling, all while thinking of her as nothing more than friend. Yeah, that was not going to happen. He opened the passenger door and she tossed a flirty smile his way. She had no idea what she did to his heart. He was already falling for her, which wasn’t smart at all.

After closing her door, he went around to his side and climbed in.