Page 7 of Codi
“If Codi wants to stay, he can stay.” I look up at Codi again.
There’s a moment of hesitation, like it’s taking a moment to register that I’ve givenhima choice. This isn’t a mutt I discovered on my back porch, or an unwanted guest I’m trying to get rid of. Like most memorable moments of my life, it’s just another unexpected turn in the road. I’ve learned to adapt. Turn lemons into lemonade, as they say.
Not that Codi is a lemon. The guy is a four-course meal.
“I’m grateful for your hospitality,” Codi says, his words are halting. His first choice, instead of a command or direction. It’s a start. “I will stay.”
Lucas bounces around the living room celebrating. Codi stands there and answers a slew of incessant questions while I escort Oliver and Becca to my door. I embrace Becca tightly as Oliver carries their son to their car.
“I hope this didn’t ruin your girl’s night,” I say quietly.
Becca rubs my back, pulling away and smiling at me. “Not at all! Drinks, scoping out cute guys for you, daring heroics in a dank, dirty alley? Sounds like our junior year of high school.”
Laughing at that, I kiss her cheek. “Love you, girl.”
“I love you, too.” Becca turns away, pauses, then faces me. “Listen. You were the only one who had my back, when Oliver came into my life. If it weren’t for you, I would’ve made the biggest mistake of my life, letting him go. Even when my parents shut me out, you stuck with me.”
“What’s a best friend for?” I smile, though I’m not entirely sure what she’s getting at.
“You should let yourself be happy,” Becca says. “That’s what you told me.”
I playfully squint at her. “Are you trying to hook me up with the android I literallyjustfished out of the dumpster? That’s a bit soon, don’t you think? Man doesn’t even have any pants. Let’s get him some fucking pants before we play matchmaker.”
She giggles, which is exactly what I wanted. Making Becca laugh is a regular goal of mine. “You know what I mean! There were so many cute guys, and you didn’t bite with any of them.”
“Oh, so the girls’ night was for my benefit.” I fold my arms, smirking. “And here I thought I was rescuing you from a night of being elbow-deep in diapers and spit-up.”
“You’re just a regular superhero, then,” she counters. “Rescuing people left and right tonight.”
“Guess someone up there has a sense of humor,” I reply. “Look, don’t get any ideas. He’s a walking buffet of beefcake, I’ll give you that, but that’s too fast, even for me.”
“You?” Becca says skeptically. “The self-proclaimed queen of one-night stands?”
“Hey, I’m a mom now. I can’t just put a saddle on a man I found in the trash can and ride him like a rodeo anymore.” I sniff. “Those days are over for me.”
“Stop.” She laughs. “He can probably hear you.”
“So? He’s got his chip or whatever in him, right? I’m safe.”
Becca hesitates. “I wouldn’t praise those too highly. They aren’t all they’re cracked up to be.”
“Like restraining bolts, right? Can’t turn psychopath and murder?” I ask, confused.
“More like can’t defend themselves when they're being attacked, and can be ordered into harm’s way,” Becca admits. “If things go well, you might want to think about removing it.” She gives me another hug. “Let me know how everything goes. Good night, Denise.”
I grin at her, waving at Oliver across my lawn before shutting the door and turning. If Codi heard, he gives no inclination. I don’t really care if he did. I’m of the opinion a man should know he’s a smorgasbord of sexy. Now he knows if he didn’t before.
“Lucas, it’s time to go back to bed now. Come on.” I glance at Codi, who’s been standing there in the same place the entire time. Like he’s not sure where to go or what to do. “Hey, listen—you really don’t have to be worried about anything here. No one’s going to hurt you under my roof. I’m sorry about what happened. We’ll fix you up in no time and get you some decent clothes, okay?”
He nods at me somewhat eagerly, which is totally cute, like he’s never known kindness or been given a chance. “I don’t know how I can thank you.”
“You don’t need to,” I reply. “I just did what any decent person would.” Who would throw such a sweet droid away? After tucking Lucas back into bed, I return to him. “I forget, do androids sleep?”
He blinks at me. “Sort of. We go into standby.”
“Okay. Why don’t you do that for now and recharge until the morning. You’ve had a rough night, so we can revisit everything then. I have work tomorrow.”
I am about to turn and walk away to my room when Codi addresses me again. “What should I call you?”
