Page 67 of Meet Me on Lilac Lane

Moving faster now, she and Matt pulled the second and third boxes into the building.

“Should we take them to the back?” Matt reached out to the first box they’d dragged in.

“This is fine.” Mia pushed at a stray hair. “These boxes are so wet, I’m afraid to move them any farther.” A draft from the door whispered over her, and she shivered. She hugged her arms to herself.

“Let me.” Matt came over and reached for her. A moment later, his strong hands moved over her upper arms, heating them.

She should tell him how she felt about him. She looked up into his warm eyes. There had been a time when they held such promise for her. But now? Nothing. He leaned toward her, angling his head.

Um, was he coming in for a kiss? No, this was all wrong. His face inches from hers, she put a hand on his chest to push him away. He tightened his hold on her arms. She started to speak. “Matt?—”

The door closed with a bang. Cody stood in front of it. His face stormy and his hair damp from the rain.

“Oh. Hi. Um, sorry to interrupt.” His words scraped out like they’d been run over a piece of sandpaper.

“Cody. Hi.” She sprang away from Matt but stumbled. His hand shot out to steady her. Cody’s gaze bore into where he grasped her elbow.

“Thank you,” she said to Matt then pulled her arm from his grasp. “Thanks for the help too. I couldn’t have done it without you.”

“I was happy to help. More than happy.”

She still needed to let him down gently, but with Cody staring daggers into the man, now was hardly the time. Still, Mia didn’t want to be rude. She smiled. “It’s good to have a reliable friend like you around.”

Cody coughed, but Mia stayed focused on Matt. She’d deal with Cody—and ask why he was late—once they were alone.

Matt’s smile widened. “I’m here anytime, Mia. Anytime.”

Looking between the two men, one thing became clear. Of the two of them, she’d rather have Cody.

But by the look on his face, he might not have her.

It’s good to have a reliable friend around.

Cody was too late. To help with the boxes—and maybe to win Mia’s heart too.

Again.

He turned away from Mia and Matt—the memory of the man’s arms around her burned into his brain—and put his hand on the doorknob.

He wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize Mia’s happiness. And if that meant she wanted Matt, well, he’d stepped aside once before, he could do it again.

Except.Fight for the girl. Lily’s words slipped into his mind, stilling his hand on the doorknob. What if…

He shifted back around again. Mia wasn’t looking at Matt. She was looking at him. She’d stepped a generous step away from Matt too.

Maybe he’d stay.

Fight.

He and Mia had a conversation to finish.

He took in the surroundings, clocked the huge boxes scattered across the floor. No wonder she’d asked him to come. He checked the window. Yep, it was still raining harder than earlier.

Okay. He was convinced. He’d stick around a while longer. If he found out that Mia cared for Matt, he’d back off. Even if it killed him. Which, judging by the stabbing sensation going on in his ribcage, it just might.

“Cody!” Two small bundles bumped into his legs. The smile that crossed his face was immediate and involuntary. One of the worst parts of losing Mia, again, would be losing these two too. Swooping down, he scooped Finn into his right arm and Maggie into his left. No matter what happened with him and Mia, he vowed right then to be the best “uncle” these two could ever have. He owed that much to Troy.

“Hiya, guys,” he said. He spun them in a circle, their giggles dulling the pain near his heart.

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