Page 178 of The Re-Proposal

“Who said anything about breaking up?” Cody growls.

“I can see right through you, Cody Bolton. I know what you’re doing and I won’t let you use your Ice King powers on me.” I take his hand and slide my fingers through it. “I’m not going to let you push me away.”

“You don’t know what you’re saying.”

“It’s too late to back out now, Ice King. You made the mistake of chasing me. You made me fall for you again, so guess what that freaking means?”

“What does it mean?”

“For better or worse, buddy. That macho Superman crap where you bear all the trouble alone? Yeah, that’s not going to fly. It was fine when I wasn’t here. You could be the beast locked up in a mansion, growling at your singing plates and candles…”

“Is that a…Beauty and the Beastreference?”

“Don’t interrupt me.” I lift a finger.

His lips twitch.

“I’m here now.” I tap my chest. “I’m not leaving you or Joel alone, so cut the crap and turn this car aroundright now.”

His Adam’s apple bobs.

“Cody, I will scream.”

“I can’t do it right now, Ris.” His voice is ragged. I’ve never seen such a look of anguish on his face. He seems like a different man. One caught in a nightmare.

“Do what?”

He keeps quiet.

“For the love of—justtalkto me, Cody?”

He stares straight ahead. His eyes glint with pain. “I just…”

“You just what?”

“I can’t look you in the eye right now.”

“What?”

“If Joel really is dying because of me—”

“I said he wasn’t.”

“But if he is,” Cody inhales, “that’s not something I can walk back. That’s a stain I’ll carry with me forever. And it’s one thing if someone out there gets hurt. But if I hurt Joel…”

“You’re being extremely annoying right now.” I squint my eyes. “It’s like you’re not hearing me, but that’s fine. I still want to hold you. I still want to kiss you. I’m still on your side.” I lift our hands. “You’re not getting rid of me that easily. I knew you were an annoying butt-head before I walked into this, but you know what you’re not?”

“What?”

“A murderer.”

His throat bobs.

I settle back into the chair. “Hurry up and take us to your place. I need to raid Joel’s closet and underwear drawer.”

For a second, I think Cody will be his usual stubborn self and do what he wants.

Instead, he turns the car around and mutters, “He’ll never forgive me if I let you see his Hello Kitty boxers.”

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