Page 46 of Meet Me on Lilac Lane

“That’s all. Just wanted to say goodbye for now.” Matt’s gaze flicked behind her and then he took her hand again. “Hello again, Cody.”

She dropped Matt’s hand again and spun. Sure enough, Cody stood at the end of the dock, arms crossed. His stormy face a contrast to the sun bursting through the clouds overhead. How long had he been there? Her heart lifted. Had he been looking for her?

A long horn sounded from the ferry. “Okay. Good luck on your trip.” Mia schooled her voice into something hopefully professional.

“Thanks.” Matt rested a hand on her shoulder briefly, gave her a smile, then nodded at them both. “Cody.”

“Matt.”

Matt picked up his briefcase before turning on his heel and making his way to the ferry.

Mia looked up at Cody’s sour face. “Good morning, Sunshine.”

He watched the boat pull away from the dock before turning to her. “It is now.” He flashed a smile. “I have a car for Finn that I found at my place.” He held up a miniature red Corvette. “I sent you a text that I was heading over to your place, but when you didn’t answer, I thought I’d go anyway and leave it on your porch. I need to get to work on a house near yours today. Then I spotted you down here when I was walking past. Where are the kids?”

“At Constance’s. I need to get back and pick them up. This meetup with Matt was an impromptu one.”

A muscle in his jaw jumped and he grunted.

“Wow. You really don’t like Matt, do you?” She took the Corvette from him and stuck it in her jeans pocket.

“He’s fine.” Cody’s eyes were hooded.

“Yes. Those two words are very convincing.”

He sighed, ran a hand through his sandy hair. “Matt’s great. I like Matt. I’d like him even more if he didn’t make you feel less than. Plus, he’s a flirt.”

“What do you mean less than?” A cloud passed over the sun, casting a shadow over them.

“You know. Making you feel insecure. But then constantly smiling at you. Touching your shoulder. Laughing at your jokes. Playing with your kids.”

“I’m sorry? Are you upset because Matt likes my sense of humor?” She put a hand to her hip. “And was nice? And likes my kids? Seriously, Code? Any insecurity on my part was just that,on my part.”

Cody flexed a fist. He squinted at the ground for a beat before his shoulders dropped. “No. You’re right. He’s nice. Seems like a good guy.” His jaw tightened.

“Code.” She reached out a hand to, well she wasn’t sure what, but Cody pulled a step away from her.

“Are you heading home?” His voice held false cheer.

“Yep.” Okay. She’d drop it for now. “Constance was just watching the kids for a few minutes. She can’t keep them long.”

“I’ll walk you. Like I said, I need to work on a house over there anyway.”

They fell into an easy cadence. “Seems like this is becoming our thing.” Maybe some light teasing would bring him around.

Cody laughed. “Sometimes it still feels strange walking through town without our third musketeer.”

“Seriously?” She stopped, crossed her arms. “Why do you do that?”

Cody stopped a step ahead of her and turned to face her. “Do what?”

“Bring up Troy any time I say something about our friendship?”

“I don’t do that.”

“Yes. You do.” She brushed past him and heard him follow. They walked past an empty storefront with a newly painted flowerbox, but even the beauty of the flowers didn’t soothe her irritation.

“Don’t you want to talk about Troy?”

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