Page 16 of Stone's Promise

I wanted to shrink into the floor, but I refused to let Trey see how much he irritated me. He tried to play it cool after Cody neutralized his attempt at verbal sparring. He lifted oneshoulder in a shrug, smiled and sauntered off like he hadn’t just made a complete ass of himself.

The press conference wrapped up quickly after that. The major news outlets were already running with the story. Reporters snapped photos, capturing the moment. I told myself that’s what this was for.

Cody’s hand rested on my lower back, guiding me through the crowd. The tension from the press conference still crackled around me. Trey’s smug voice looped in my head. I was usually the one who managed the media, who kept her cool under pressure. Yet right now? I was frazzled.

“Keep walking.” Cody kept his voice low.

My legs moved on autopilot. Max kept pace on my other side, his fur brushing against my calf like he was standing guard. The questions from the media started as soon as we stepped outside. I squeezed my eyes shut as lights flashed in my face.

“Cody, how do you feel about Trey Larson’s comments?”

“Emily, is this relationship serious?”

“Cody, you’ve stayed quiet on social media about this. Why?”

Cody didn’t break stride. His grip on me tightened, protective. “Not tonight, folks.”

We made it to his truck, and he opened the passenger door for me. I climbed in, my pulse still racing. Max hopped into the back seat, and as soon as Cody shut his door and started the engine, I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding.

Silence stretched between us for a beat.

Then I snapped.

“Trey is such an ass.”

Chapter Five

EMILY

My usually controlled anger and frustration at my ex spilled out in front of Cody, and I couldn’t put it back in to hide. “My ex-fiancé is such an ass,” I blurted, repeating myself. “His dad owns half the commercial real estate, his uncle is a state senator, and his mother sits on every major board for every event that makes Sunridge look good.”

Cody didn’t say a word. He pulled out of the parking lot and drove, just letting me talk.

I shook my head, staring out the windshield. “I met him when I interned at his office when I was twenty. And I was just so... young and dumb.”

“Never call yourself that again.” Cody’s response was sharp. I tore my gaze from the window to see the fierceness in his eyes. He focused on the road again. “I’m still listening.” His voice softened. “But no way I was going to let that slide.”

I blinked, caught off guard by the firmness in his voice. He wasn’t just saying it to be nice. He meant it. The way he looked at me, even for the brief second, made my chest tighten. When did I ever reveal my feelings about my past to someone outside my family, especially my not-so-sunny opinions about Trey? When was the last time I had even considered being gentle with myself?

Swallowing past the sudden lump in my throat, I looked out on the road ahead. “Right. Well, like I was saying. We dated, andthen I got pregnant. He was not thrilled. I wasn’t out to baby trap him, and I never asked for anything.”

“Were you still working in his office?”

“No. I left because he said the optics wouldn’t be good. Young family heir, his pregnant intern. He proposed, but said he didn’t want a shotgun wedding. The family lawyers needed to figure out his trust fund first.”

Cody gave a slight shake of his head. I went on. “I knew he didn’t really want to marry me, but I thought at least he would show up for me when it counted.” I scoffed, crossing my arms. “He told me he’d be there throughout the pregnancy, but he had his assistant update him on my OB appointments instead. Then, when I had to have an emergency C-section, she was the one who showed up at the hospital with flowers. I gave her his ring to return to him.”

I clenched my jaw, my fingers tightening against my arms. “He got even more distant after Oliver was born. And now—now—he suddenly wants to be more involved just because his office is a sponsor for Family Day.”

Cody’s hands flexed on the steering wheel, though he stayed quiet.

“He doesn’t care,” I continued. “He doesn’t see Oliver as a real child with real needs or emotions. He just wants the town to ooh and ah over a fancy trip he’ll take him on.” I let out a humorless laugh. “Did I mention they’re headed to the Kentucky Derby next week?”

I pressed my palms to my face. “Oh, gosh, Cody, I’m sorry. I just dumped all my baby mama drama on you.”

The truck slowed as he pulled up in front of the restaurant. Before I could scramble out and put distance between myself and my own humiliation, his hand reached out, firm but kind.

“Stop,” he said, his voice quiet but unwavering. I looked at him, and my breath caught at both the fierceness andcompassion in his eyes. “You’re a damn good mother, Em, and a hell of a hard worker. This little town wouldn’t be half of what it is without you. Don’t you dare let that Spandex-wearing, jelly-haired fuckshit make you think less of yourself. You got that?”

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