Page 50 of The Re-Proposal

Cody has a hand in his pocket. His jaw is clenched tightly. He looks like a model just standing there with his head bent and his eyes narrowed.

But I won’t let that distract me.

“Thank you for your offer,” I gesture to Cody, “but my answer is no. Your way of doing things doesn’t match our vision here at the Do More Project.”

“It doesn’t match the foundation’s vision or yours?” His voice is a low growl.

“Does it matter?”

His eyes jerk to mine again and, this time, I don’t melt. I hold my glare steady.

Cody’s phone rings.

It’s a wonder it was silent for so long. Even in college, everyone wanted a piece of him. I bet that problem has multiplied now that he’s so rich and important.

Vargas checks his watch, “Bolton, you have that meeting at nine—”

“I know what I have,” Cody barks, still not moving a muscle.

“It seems like you’re busy, Mr. Bolton,” I say in a level tone, making it clear I want him to leave. “I won’t see you out.”

I’m fully prepared to model-walk back to the offices. But before I unleash the power of my sashay, wheels creak and Joel zooms in front of me.

"My love.”

“Mylove?” Cody hisses. I canfeelhis death-glare even though I’m not looking at him.

“It seems we must part.”

I want to be mad, but Joel’s earnestness bemuses me. He’s so… different. I admire his upbeat attitude. Even under normal circumstances, he’d have a reason to be moody. Most of the teenagers that pass through the women’s shelter are quiet and withdrawn.

Joel is the opposite.

I break out a smile despite my efforts to remain serious. “It was nice to meet you, Joel. I mean that.”

“The pleasure was all mine.” Joel draws my hand away from where it was fisted at my side. He lifts it to his mouth. A shocked sound flies out of me but, before I can pull away, Cody appears.

He smacks Joel’s hand down like a fly-swatter on a mosquito.

“Hey!” Joel yelps, nearly jumping out of his wheelchair.

A lightning bolt flings from Cody’s green eyes. “Hands off, kid. You don’t kiss a lady without her consent. Don’t you know that?”

“This has nothing to do with consent,” Joel argues. “You’re just jealous because she likes me and not you.”

Cody rakes a hand through his hair as if we’re all getting on his nerves. “We’re leaving. Vargas, take the kid back to school.”

“He’s not going to school. He’s staying in the hospital,” Vargas says.

Sympathy pinches my chest. How hard must Joel have it that he’s too sick to go to school?

“Take him there then,” Cody grits out.

Vargas grabs the handles of the wheelchair and pushes.

“I’ll be back, Clarissa!” Joel yells, twisting his neck. “Don’t forget me!”

I cringe.

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