Keys To Her Heart (Brookfield) (8 page)

Alyssa.

She was the better choice. He needed to handle this thing with Lily with gentle hands, even though he wanted to grab hold of her and mold her body to his while he had his way with her.

Cody pulled his truck into a vacant spot near The Reading Corner. His sister and her husband lived above the bookstore, which was convenient, since his sister was a work-a-holic. He pulled the glass door open, but saw Tina, one of her employees, was working instead.

“Hey, my sister up in her place?” he asked.

“Yup. I’ve not seen her yet today.”

“I hope she isn’t getting sick again.” Since getting pregnant, Alyssa seemed to stay ill.

Cody climbed the steps to her place and knocked on the door.

Connor answered. “What’s up?”

“Not much.” Cody sighed. “I came by for some advice, which might mean I didn’t think this through.”

Connor chuckled. “Come on in. She’s in the living room eating breakfast.”

Crap. Cody hadn’t even thought about what time it was. Alyssa usually slept in these days, which meant he was lucky she was even up.

Alyssa was on the couch with a blanket wrapped around her, while she spread cream cheese onto a bagel. She glanced up at him, smiling. “Hey. Sit, please.” She looked at Connor. “Does he want coffee or anything?”

“I have no idea, I haven’t asked.” Connor paused. “Can I get you anything, man?”

“Nah, I’m good.” Cody sat down on the love seat.

“What brings you by?” Alyssa asked after taking a bite of her bagel.

“Advice,” he spoke it quietly.

She grinned. “Love it! Finally, you need advice. You must really like this girl. So what stupid thing did you do?”

He could argue with her and ask how she knew he did something dumb, but he had.

Connor cleared his throat. “I’m gonna shower.”

Cody couldn’t blame him for escaping. Men hated to talk about this crap. Connor kissed Alyssa on the cheek and then disappeared into the back of the apartment.

“So, we kissed.”

Alyssa’s face lit up. “You did?”

“Yup, then I didn’t speak to her. Took her back to her car and ended the date.”

Her smile faded. “You did what?”

“I don’t want to repeat it.”

She stared at him with a confused expression. “I don’t really understand why you did that.”

Neither did he, but he had. “I don’t know. The kiss was different, but good.”

“Magical and the world stopped.” She clapped her hands together.

“This isn’t one of your romance novels, Alyssa.” He shook his head. “I’m just confused. She wants to kiss me, but she just wants to be friends.”

She licked the side of her bagel. “Ah, the fine line. I have experience with that with Connor. The thing is, if you like each other, you’ll end up together regardless how much you resist.”

“But now I’ve screwed it up, huh?”

She shrugged. “Not necessarily. Sounds like she’s been tossing around mixed signals; can’t really blame you, I guess. Connor and I had an almost first kiss and he freaked out the same way, leaving me confused. But hey, look how that worked out.”

At least this could be fixed, but it probably required an apology from him. “I like her. I don’t want to push her, but I also can’t control myself around her.”

“What reason does she have to not get in a relationship?”

“Life.” He chuckled. “I think she’s keeping something from me.”

“Like a third nipple, or something?”

Cody laughed again, trying to imagine it. “No. Just something she isn’t ready to share about her personal life.”

“It’s good to take things slow, plus she has a child. Make sure it’s going to work before you get too involved.”

Slow, slow, slow. That was hard when he really wanted to kiss her every time he saw her.

“Anyway, how are you feeling?” He leaned back into the cushions. He was done talking about himself.

* * * *

“Aw, here is Brent as a baby.” Lily pointed at the photo in the album as she sat next to her mother on the couch in the living room. “He hasn’t changed a bit.”

Her mom nodded, but didn’t say anything. She stared at the photo and rubbed it with her frail finger.

Brent, one of her brothers, was due to call on Skype sometime this afternoon to chat with their mother. Lily wanted to make sure his face would register, even though Brent really hadn’t changed much over the years. He still had those same baby blues and chubby cheeks, but she’d never tell her brother his cheeks were chunky.

“Could you get me some tea?” Mom asked.

Lily set the photo album down and stood. “Hot or cold?”

“Hot, please.”

In the kitchen, Lily grabbed her mom’s favorite tea from the pantry and then put the kettle on the stove. It was hard keeping a smile today. Only this time it wasn’t her mother’s deteriorating health, but because of Cody. What the heck had happened? They’d kissed, then he took her back to her car, said bye, and that was it. She’d tossed and turned all night and the only thing she’d come up with was maybe she was a bad kisser. Did she have one of those slimy tongues or something? Surely not, Heath would’ve said something at some point. Oh God, maybe that was why they’d been just friends. He didn’t have the heart to tell her she had a gross tongue.

The kettle screamed
and she removed it from the burner. She opened the box and grabbed a tea bag, placing it into the cup, and poured the boiling water over it. Lily leaned against the counter as she waited for the tea to seep. In a few hours, she’d have to meet Heath to get Gunther. This place was so quiet without him around, but she was certain he was having a blast.

Her phone buzzed in her back pocket. It was probably her ex, letting her know they were on their way. She pulled the phone from her back pocket and unlocked the screen.

I was stupid yesterday, and I’m sorry. – Cody

She grinned as her heart fluttered, but she agreed with his text. Taking a deep breath, she replied.
What was that all about?

Might as well find out now if her kissing sucked. She thought the kiss had been amazing; one of her best, but it took two to tango.

I’m an idiot.

She rolled her eyes.
No, you aren’t. Did you not feel a connection between us?

Lily set the phone down to finish making her mom’s tea as she waited for the reply, which took longer to come in than she’d wanted. Maybe she’d pushed him too much wanting to talk about the possibility of a ‘them’, but she had to know where he stood on this. Might as well know now if he didn’t want anything, before it got too serious.

She plopped the spoon into the sink just as her phone finally dinged again.

Of course I did. I want to be more than friends.

He wasn’t the only one. She wanted to explore a relationship with him, but once again, in the back of her demented mind, she wasn’t sure if this was the right time. It wouldn’t be fair to him. He was single and his life didn’t seem to complicated. Unlike hers. She wasn’t sure how much time she could really devote to a relationship at the moment, but that didn’t mean she didn’t want one. She did.

“Lily,” her mom called from the other room. “This thing is ringing.”

Crap, it was her brother. She picked up the mug and hurried back to answer the Skype call coming in.

* * * *

Cody sat at his desk a few days later, more confused than before. She’d never responded to his text. The mixed signals were going to drive him mad. Sure, he should be patient and wait it out, but that was getting hard. He didn’t want to chase after a woman who’d never let him catch her.

“Duncan.” Seth approached his desk. “I need you to head over to Swift Water Café. Someone attempted to leave without paying.”

Of course it had to be him. “All right.”

“I’ll come with you, just in case.”

Cody pushed his chair out and stood. “Lead the way.”

Ten minutes later, they entered the restaurant, and Cody’s gaze went straight to Lily, who was serving a customer coffee. She must’ve felt him looking at her because she glanced his way. He looked away quickly and followed Seth to the front counter. He was here on business, not to stare at the woman capturing his heart.

Kathy greeted them. “You guys got here quick.” She pointed toward a booth. “That’s the culprit. Ordered all kinds of food and then tried to sneak out.”

In the booth sat a young guy, maybe early twenties, but looked like he’d seen better days. He and Seth walked over to the kid.

“Is what she said true?” Seth asked.

He nodded.

“What’s your name?” Cody asked.

“Bo.”

“You know you need to pay for the food, right?” Cody asked.

Bo nodded again, obviously not a big talker. Cody was surprised he wasn’t spewing excuses like most people did.

Seth slid into the booth. “You got money?”

Bo shook his head, keeping his gaze on the table.

The young man had a foul stench coming from him, and Cody bet he didn’t have a home.

Seth continued, “You don’t go into places and expect a free hand out. You’ve got to pay for the food. Sounds like you got a lot. How do you plan on paying?”

Bo shrugged and stared out the window.

“Are you homeless?” Cody asked.

Bo continued to gaze outside.

Cody and Seth shared a look. They knew the young man couldn’t pay for the food and needed help. Every now and then someone homeless came into Brookfield. Cody wanted to see the young man get back on his feet and get a fresh start to life.

“How about a deal?” Cody cleared his throat. “I’ll pay for your food, but I need some help around my yard. Get some tree branches trimmed back and bushes cut before winter hits. Think you can help me with that?”

Bo looked up at Cody, relief on his face. “You’d do that?”

“I would. However, I can’t stop this place from pressing charges if they want.”

“He’s offered you a good deal,” Seth said. “I’d take it. If you do, I’ll have a talk with the owner. Today’s a fresh start, and you’ve stumbled into the right town.”

“What do you say?” Cody hoped he’d say yes.

“I can do that,” Bo’s expression hopeful.

Cody walked over to the register where Kathy, and now Lily, stood. “I’ll get his meal.”

Kathy raised an eyebrow. “You’re too soft.”

“I think it’s sweet,” Lily added.

“He’s not getting off scot-free. He’s coming to do yard work at my house.” Cody chuckled. “You should see my yard.” He handed Kathy his credit card, then slid it into his pocket when she handed it back. He signed the receipt.
Forty dollars.
Jeez, that guy must’ve been starving.

He glanced back at Seth, who seemed to be having a serious talk with Bo. Hopefully they’d find a place to get him set up for the night to get a hot shower and a warm bed.

“That really was kind of you.” Lily came around and stood next to him.

“Just doing what I should for someone in need.”

She sucked in her bottom lip. “Sorry I didn’t text you back. I got busy.”

She was always busy. He was beginning to think this wasn’t the woman for him. “Look, if you don’t want to see me,
its fine. My cards are on the table. I want to see you seriously, but if friendship is all we can have, then so be it. Just tell me what it is you’re wanting so I can get my feelings in check.”

“My life is…I don’t know.” She toyed her fingers together in front of her apron.

What didn’t she know? He was getting tired of the signals this woman gave off. “Either we make it work or we don’t. I’m not going to require your attention twenty-four seven. I can deal with you having a life.”

She sighed and he could tell she was hesitant. He was ready to walk away and tell her not to worry about, but then she touched his arm.

“I’d like to try.”

Hot diggity dog!
She wanted to date. His good deed was being rewarded. “That makes me happy.”

“Lily, table four needs you,” Kathy called from the frontline.

She grinned and stared at him with sultry eyes. “Duty calls.”

“I’ll call you tonight, if that’s okay.”

“I’d like that.” Then she shocked him even more when she leaned forward and placed a soft kiss on his cheek, then strutted away.

Seth smirked, but didn’t say anything as Cody joined him and Bo. Seth was going to bring Bo back to the station then they’d make a few calls to find somewhere for him to stay. All Cody could think about was Lily.
Were the games finally over so they could move forward into a relationship?

Chapter Eight

“I should not be rewarding you with ice cream.” Lily held the door open as Gunther exited the ice cream shop.

Once again, she’d gotten a call from the school that Gunther had gotten into an argument with another child, which resulted in a fight. Only this time, her son threw the first punch, which wasn’t acceptable, but it was so hard to punish him when deep down she knew he was defending himself.