Page 39 of The Change Up
I pause before I have a chance to get to the counter, turning slowly.
“I’m sorry I haven’t introduced myself sooner. Truth is, you’re beautiful, and it’s intimidating. I just couldn’t help but come here every day for the past week and a half because it means I get to see you.”
Placing one foot in front of the other, Cody erases the space between us until he’s standing right before me. He’s tall, a lot taller than I would’ve guessed, with seven or eight inches on me. His navy Atlanta Braves T-shirt hugs his tight athletic build. I can only imagine the muscles and ridges that are hidden beneath the cotton.
“Hi, Cody.” The words come out in a breathless whisper as we’ve officially garnered the attention of the entire restaurant. Customers have abandoned their meals and are enjoying the show between the two of us.
“Hi.” That boyish grin is back on his face, and it’s contagious, causing a smile to spread across my lips. Instead of messy hair, a navy Braves hat sits on his dark locks. Cody reaches up, removing his hat before running his fingers through his unruly hair. Instead of returning his hat forward facing, Cody spins it around and rests it backward.
I swear my knees go weak. There’s just something about a man with a backward ball cap.
Leaning forward, he lowers his voice before asking, “Now that you know my name, would you like to go out with me?”
Nibbling on my lower lip, I take in the man in front of me. “Yes.”
“Really?” Shock replaces the boyish grin as I nod assuring him that I’m serious about the date. “What time do you get off?”
“12:30!” Marnie shouts from somewhere behind me. My eyes widen as I look over my shoulder and find Marnie behind the counter with her hip perched against the metal material watching our entire conversation.
“Perfect, I can pick you up then.”
“I’ll need to shower after this,” I say before dropping my voice for only Cody to hear. “I’ll smell like the fryer.”
He nods with a pondering expression. “I’ll let you get back to it.”
“Thanks. I’ll get your order in.”
We both turn, but not before we both glance back over our shoulders with silly grins pasted on our faces. I hurry to input their order before scurrying off through the swinging doors that lead into the kitchen. Marnie is hot on my heels as I lead the way to her office. She shuts the door behind her, and I let out a girlish squeal.
“Oh, my sweet girl, I’m so happy for you.” Marnie squeezes me in her arms.
Since working for Marnie, she’s quickly become a stand-in mom. There have been many times I’ve come to her for advice, a shoulder to cry on, and to talk about lady issues that I didn’t want to talk to my dad about.
“Cut out early. I’ll cover your section, and the tips are yours.”
“Marn, I can’t do that.”
“Yes, baby girl. You can, and you will.”
The bell in the kitchen chimes, and I hear Chef Steve call out my name.
I walk like I’m floating on a cloud for the rest of my shift. Marnie kicks me out thirty minutes before my shift is over. Cody and I exchanged numbers, and he texted me the details of our date.
For the next seven weeks, my days start with a ‘good morning’ text from Cody. Hudson and he have the same breakfast every morning—unless they are traveling—and the rest of my days and nights are spent with Cody Jacobs.
It was a summer when we were inseparable.
It was a summer where we didn’t talk about what came next.
It was a summer where we lived in the present with no talks of the future.
Day dates, baseball games, breakfast at the diner, a weekend trip to Galveston, and everything in between.
It was the summer of Chloe and Cody…
Until it wasn’t
5:05 AM
