Page 19 of Banking on Love

The Festival of Love had been magical. Spending time with Kimberly and Kallia was always nice but having Nick around added to the moment. He and I clicked on so many levels. It was almost scary how much we got along. Kimberly and Kallia started teasing us about being a couple. Nick blushed every time then he would look at me and wink. I melted like butter.

“Hey, Kensi,” a familiar voice said. I looked up from my paperwork to see Cody Jenkins smiling across the counter at me. I hadn’t even realized I drifted off in space.

Of all customers to come in on a Monday,I groaned.

Cody Jenkins was the town’s heartthrob or at least that’s how I saw him. He had the looks, athletic build, and charm. All the girls in high school seemed to want him and he went through his fair share of them up at Sweetheart’s Lane. And yet he always came around hitting on me and trying to sleaze his way into my life.

“Hi, Cody,” I smiled, turning on my professional charm. “How can I help you today?”

“Lunch break so thought I’d drop in and withdraw some money,” he said, waving a withdrawal slip.

“Sure thing.” I held out my hand and he placed the piece of paper in it. When he took his hand away, he grazed his fingers lightly across my palm as he looked at me with a dark grin.

An eerie chill ran up my spine. Instinctively, I jerked my hand back. A growl and my temper threatened to erupt. Cody was always pulling this bullshit. He’d find any way to touch me. To an outsider, it’d seem innocent but to me, it was far from that. Total creep move.

“Let’s get you your money so you can get back to work,” I said calmly.

The emotions ripping through me were far from calm. I was pissed off and wanted to punch him in the face. If only we had been somewhere else other than the bank. I couldn’t afford to lose my job.

My fingers frantically typed on the computer. I wanted Cody gone. Why did the lobby have to be empty?

Right then as though life heard my silent prayer, the front door opened.

“Hi, Kensi,” Mrs. Carter called out as she closed the door behind her.

Thank God!

“Hi, Mrs. Carter, how are you today?” I asked, continuing to work on Cody’s withdrawal.

I glanced up to find Mrs. Carter glaring at Cody. I’ve never seen the woman look so mad. Usually, she’s this cute, innocent-looking old lady but something about Cody had pissed her off. Not that I can blame her but the poor bastard hasn’t even said two words to her.

“Hey, Mrs. Car–” Cody smiled.

“Don’t you, hey me!” Mrs. Carter snapped back at him, waving a finger angrily at him. Cody takes a step away from her. His hands were up in a surrendering manner. “She is off-limits so don’t go getting any ideas. Got it?”

“What? Who?” Cody stammered. Mrs. Carter’s finger was pointed in my direction.

Me?I wonder, trying to figure out what the hell she was talking about.

“But I was–” Cody looked at me then Mrs. Carter then back at me. His eyes pleaded for me to save him from Mrs. Carter’s wrath. Part of me wanted to watch him suffer, but my professionalism had me putting on my superhero cape.

“Here you go, Cody,” I smiled, counting out the withdrawal amount from the till. He stuck out his hand with his palm up. I softly counted the money out as I placed the money in his hand. “One-hundred-and-fifty dollars.”

“Uh. Thanks. I’ll see you…” He glanced at Mrs. Carter, who crossed her arms in front of her chest and narrowed her eyes in on him. The woman really despised him.

“Have a great day,” I replied, trying to ease the awkwardness.

“Yeah. Thanks.” Cody quickly scurried over to the door and off into the world he went. Mrs. Carter walked up to the window.

“That scoundrel!” she huffed, making me laugh.

“What can I do for you today, Mrs. Carter?”

“Well, dear,” she smiled sweetly at me. It was as though she was the real-lifeJekyll & Hyde.“I’ve come bearing gifts?”

“Um… Gifts?” I asked with an eyebrow raised.

“From your Secret Sweetheart,” she replied cheerfully as she held out a small package wrapped in Valentine’s Day paper. My heart melted at the sight.

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