Page 201 of The Re-Proposal

I trust him.

I’m sure he’ll explain himself soon.

I use mom’s cell to call the hospital and check on Joel.

“He’s still sleeping,” the nurse says.

“Any news about the heart transplant?”

“No. Not yet.”

I sigh and hang up.

Might as well clean up my tiny guest room so mom can have somewhere to sleep tonight.

An hour later, mom wakes up and we go grocery shopping. I used most of the groceries Cody bought me and I’m in sore need of food that isn’t canned or boxed.

Hours later, we return from the local bargain store and I’m surprised to see Vargas waiting in front of my apartment.

“Cody couldn’t get you on your cell phone,” Vargas explains before I can ask what he’s doing here. “I’m to take you to his office.”

I note Vargas’ heavy expression. He’s staring at the ground as if he can’t bear to look at me.

My heart pinches.

Is something going on? Does it have anything to do with why I felt like we were being watched everywhere we went?

“Mom, I’ll be back soon,” I say.

Mom bristles, but she doesn’t keep me from leaving.

I follow Vargas to the car.

As we get closer to our destination, unease slithers around my stomach.

‘You get very, very foolish when you’re in love’.

Mom has a reason to be concerned, but I’m not stupid. I know Cody loves me. Whatever this is, whatever’s going on, we’ll get through it together. This time is different than it was in the past.

We’re older.

More mature.

He sees me as his equal partner.

Everything is going to be fine.

The sun is setting when I get into the elevator and punch in the right floor. Most of the employees are gone. I guess it’s about time to get off work.

My pumps echo in the chilly silence. Curiously, I push open the door to Cody’s office.

He’s standing with his back to me, hands in his pockets. He looks both gruff and sexy when he turns around. His white shirt is unbuttoned at the top, the cuffs rolled up to show off his muscular arms. His hair is deliciously rumpled.

Striking green eyes pierce me to my soul.

He always looks princely, but there’s something about seeing him in his office, the city skyline throwing light against the velvet sky, that gets to me.

I walk toward him, noticing the strain in his face. “Did something happen?”

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