Page 126 of The Re-Proposal

And it means something to me too.

No matter how cold and heartless Codywantsto appear, he’s a softie when he allows himself to be.

I meet Cody’s eyes over Joel’s head. “Thank you. For everything.”

He nods.

Everyone applauds and returns to their own cars so they can pick up their kids and drive home.

Cody helps Joel into the vehicle, packs his wheelchair and then moves to get in the driver’s seat.

I stop him with a hand to his chest. “Ah-ah.”

“What are you doing?” He frowns.

“I’m driving.”

“No, you’re not.” He moves forward.

I push him back. “Cody, you can barely keep your eyes open. I’m not trusting my life and Joel’s to you when you’re dead on your feet.”

“Let me call Vargas then. He can take us home,” Cody grumbles.

“No. Vargas was working just as hard as you.” I saw him zipping furniture together like he’d spent his entire life constructing bedframes and vanity dressers. “Let me drive,” I insist.

Cody hesitates.

I hold my hand out, waiting for the keys.

Grumbling under his breath, he fishes in his pocket and plunks the keys in my palm.

“Thank you.” I smirk in victory, shake them in front of his nose and climb in.

Joel conks out the moment I start driving. His loud snores make me laugh.

“Are you happy?” Cody asks. His head is tilted toward me and his eyes are at half-mast. He’s fighting to remain conscious.

“I’m happy.”

“Good,” Cody says.

“Good?”

He nods.

“Why do you care if I’m happy? This is about Maggie, not me.”

“It is about Maggie.” He mumbles. “But if you’re not happy, it means nothing.”

My breath catches in my throat.

I look over at Cody, but his eyes slant closed.

He’s sleeping.

Or passed out.

My lips tighten and my heart shifts again. I feelsomethingfor Cody, the royal jerk who didn’t show up to our wedding. The cocky CEO who manipulated us out of our corporate grants. The sweetheart who made all this possible tonight.

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