Page 32 of The Re-Proposal

“Can’t. I need to leave. We’ll have to meet another day.”

“Is something wrong?”

“She has math homework!” Regan pipes up.

Island looks confused.

I squeeze out a more genuine smile. “Thanks for inviting me.”

“I’ll walk you out,” Cody says.

I don’t want to fight in front of Island so I don’t argue. He escorts me through the living room where polite greetings are exchanged.

As we walk to the door, the back of our hands brush and my heart skitters with electricity. I’m disgusted by the fact that I want that touch again. He may have wrecked my heart in the past, but it seems like there’s still enough of it left for him to shatter.

We step outside and Cody turns to face me in the sunshine.

His eyes are impossibly beautiful and I can’t stare at him for long.

“I meant what I said, Ris.”

“And I accept your apology.”

His quick exhale is quiet but loud enough for me to hear.

“But I would be a fool to trust you,” I finish. “I will never let you destroy me again.”

He purses his lips.

A part of me hates hurting him, even after what he’s done.

Which is why it’s safer away from him.

It’s safer alone.

“Goodbye, Cody.” I move gingerly down the steps. My pain medication is starting to wear off and the throbbing is back in my ankle.

“Ris.” Cody yells.

I turn to face him. He looks like a painting standing on that porch. Like some kind of ridiculously expensive piece of art.

“I’ll give you everything you want. Everything you don’t even know you want yet.”

I let in a sharp breath.

“But,” Cody slants me a determined stare, “I won’t give you that.”

“That?”

“A goodbye.” He lifts his chin, looking so much like the Cody of ten years ago that my heart pangs. “Not until I’ve shown you how much you mean to me.”

5

THE PAST

CODY

It’s her.

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