Page 177 of The Re-Proposal

“Dammit, Ris. I rubbed it in his face. He was clearly upset.”

“No.No.” I run my hand down his back. “It’s not your fault, Cody. There has to be another explanation.”

Vargas’ harried footsteps catch up to us.

His eyes dart between me and Cody. “She’s right, Bolton. You can’t blame yourself. I didn’t mean to throw that on you. We won’t know the whole story until Joel wakes up.”

“What if he doesn’t?” Cody growls.

A terrifying hush descends on all three of us.

Cody’s the first to break it. “Standing around talking won’t fix anything. I should go home. Pack some things to move in here for the time being.”

Vargas lifts a hand. “I’ll stay with him if you want.”

“No. I’ll do it myself. Get all the research files from my desk and bring them here. Since I’ll be moving into the hospital, I might as well do some reading.”

Vargas heads out.

“I’ll come home with you,” I offer.

In the car, Cody fastens my seatbelt for me. His indifferent expression chills me to the bone. How is he so calm right now?

My fingers slide over his. “Cody, are you okay?”

“I’m fine.”

“Vargas didn’t mean to say that. No one thinks you’re responsible for this.”

He pulls his hands back.

Hurt crashes through me.

“I’ll take you home now,” he says in a frigid voice.

I frown. “I’m not going home. I told you. I’m coming over and helping you pack.”

His jaw clenches. “I’ll call you with an update, Ris.”

“Oh, screw you,” I hiss.

His head swings around like a haunted doll.

I know he’s shocked.

I’mshocked.

But I’m also pissed the hell off.

“Do you think I’m stupid? Do you think I can’t feel when you’re pushing me away?”

“I’m not pushing you away, Ris.”

“Oh? You’re just insisting I go home when it’s clear you need me more than ever?”

He stares straight ahead.

“This isn’t the part of the movie where we break up over something stupid. We did that once. And I’m not going back for a repeat.”

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