Page 28 of Wildly Yours
I hand him my keys.
"Got any bandage wraps at your house, or should I grab some from the visitor center?"
"I actually need to go back to the store to close up."
"Can't your employee do that?"
"It's just that I've never—"
"Maybe you should try something a little different, Serena. Let the people who work for you do their jobs."
This is what Hadley complained about when she put in her notice. That I didn't give her the space to be independent. That I didn't trust she could do it. But what if they need me? What if something goes wrong?
"I know what that look on your face is."
"How could you possibly?"
"Because I know you."
"You don't—you know what, Cody? I need something from you. I know you don't want to tell me what happened all those years ago, but I need you to at least tell me that there wasn't someone else. That you didn't ditch me for another woman. Can you at least give me that?"
His eyes flare and suddenly he's surrounding me. One hand firmly planted on each side of my body, his sexy, scruffy face inches from mine, his intoxicating forest scent filling my nostrils.
"Don't you dare, for one moment, believe that anyone compares to you, Serena."
What?
His words ricochet through my mind, and every cell in my body is suddenly alight with heat. If there wasn't someone else, then what could have pulled him away from me? And if no one compares to me, why does he fight it? Fight us?
I want to search for something to count, to still my heart and mind, but I can't tear my eyes away from him. Two hungry eyes. One once-needy mouth. Two broad shoulders that loom overme and surround me with his strength. The same strength that protected me from Blake.
He stands upright and walks to the passenger door to unlock it. I feel a part of me walk away with him. I don't know what to do with the battle inside of me. Ican'ttrust him. He hasn't earned it. But god I want to. I want to let go of everything that is clenched up inside me, like a ball of hopelessly tangled wire. I try to pick the pieces apart, try to find my center, or to find the safety box in my mind so I can find some semblance of peace. But then Cody comes over and picks me up wedding night-style and places me in the seat, and his touch burns me all over again.
He rounds the car and gets behind the wheel. We sit in silence, his confession and the feel of his touch hanging between us. His hands are gripping the steering wheel, while mine are wrapped around my seat belt. Where do we go from here? He just gave me a lifeline, but I don't trust that it will get me safely to shore. I'm not sure I even know where that is anymore. Not with him. Not after the last three days.
"So what's it going to be? Are you going to let your employee close the store, and maybe even call Meredith and tell her you're taking the night off of your official duties? You know, you're the first mayor that has kept hours like that. Everyone else just showed up to city council meetings and events."
Retreat. He chose to retreat back to his corner. It's just as well. I was foolish to entertain thoughts that we could be something again.
"I don't want to be like other mayors. I want to do more. I have to do more. We need this as a town."
"Need what?"
"Unity. To have each other's back."
"You don't think we have that?"
"I don't know. Sometimes I feel so alone."
Cody reaches over to grab my hand, and then pulls it back before making contact. It's as if each time his body tries to touch me, his mind vetoes it unless it's necessary, proving I'm making the right choice to not get involved.
"You're not alone, Serena."
I want to believe him. I know that I have some good neighbors, and my parents are still alive, but I still feel alone. I still feel like I have to figure it all out on my own. At least I had Cody to help me today when I fell. And maybe that's what we have evolved into. People who occasionally help each other when they fall. I help him with the park, and he helps me with my campaign.
"Thank you, Cody."
"For what?"
