Total pages in book: 146
Estimated words: 143842 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 719(@200wpm)___ 575(@250wpm)___ 479(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 143842 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 719(@200wpm)___ 575(@250wpm)___ 479(@300wpm)
Failed.
I should stay far the fuck away from her, but I couldn’t remain standing still. Couldn’t stop the slow approach of my feet as I crossed the porch and climbed down the steps.
I kept moving until I was a foot away from her.
A greedy bastard because I reached out and ran my thumb over that divot in her chin, hating that I was the reason it was trembling.
I got struck with it then. The scent of strawberries and cream so distinct that it hit me like a punch to the gut. Memories pummeled me like a landslide. That summer six years ago that had changed everything. I’d done my all to bury those memories, memories I’d do well to leave in the past.
Surprise dropped that pouty mouth open, and the air crackled around us. My voice came out hoarser than I’d intended it to. “From where I’m standing, Hailey? There isn’t a thing weak about you. Never has been, and I’m pretty sure there’s never going to be.”
Before I could contemplate what the hell I was feeling, I turned and jogged back to my house, leaving her standing in the rain.
TWO
HAILEY
I remained rooted, unable to move, shock spearing me through and staking me to the ground as I watched him jog across the lawn that separated our yards, his giant frame getting eaten up by the raging storm that thrashed around him. A gray mist covered him whole before he disappeared through his garage door that had remained open.
Like a ghost had appeared from out of nowhere and evaporated just as fast.
Except he was no ghost.
He was Cody Cooper.
I stifled the wave of grief that threatened to suck me under. I knew it wasn’t wholly because of him.
It was just the memories of this place. The memories I’d worried would be too much, which was the reason I hadn’t come back here in six years.
But it was time.
Time to return to myself.
Time to reclaim.
Time to renew a purpose that had been lost somewhere along the way.
Time to stand up and fight.
It was only a tiny hiccup that it turned out Cody was my new next-door neighbor.
No doubt, Karma was laughing her ass off at me right then.
I shucked it down, the twinge of guilt I felt, and chalked it up to coincidence.
Cody was just a flirty bastard who so clearly knew how to get what he wanted. Country charm and arrogance in vats. Just as aloof and self-centered as he’d ever been.
It wasn’t a big deal. I could handle it.
Another streak of lightning flashed overhead, and it knocked me from the trance and jolted me into action.
Beneath the pelting rain, I scurried the rest of the way up the walkway and onto the porch. I tossed open the door before I leaned down and shoved the three boxes inside, internally scolding myself for being relieved for even a second that I hadn’t had to carry them in myself.
I was not in need of a white knight.
Specifically, one named Cody Cooper.
Slamming the door shut and locking it behind me, I straightened and dragged my fingers through the sopping wet mess of my hair to get it out of my face.
A buzz of satisfaction filled me as I took in the house.
The middle section was done as a great room, completely open.
Airy and letting in a ton of light when it wasn’t storming out.
The kitchen was on the left and the living area was on the right.
The floors were done in plank tiles that looked like wood. The cabinets a deep chestnut, and the countertops were a swirl of creams and browns and golds to tie it all together.
It was nice but small.
Modest.
Especially when compared to the extravagance I’d lived in for my entire life.
But I loved it.
Loved the possibility.
Loved this brand-new chance.
I shoved down any thoughts of fear it triggered and started to lean down so I could open the boxes.
“Now who was that?” The question hit me from the side.
A gasp left me as my attention whipped that way, and I shook my head at myself when I realized it was Lolly. Only I would jump out of my skin at my grandmother’s voice, but I couldn’t help being on edge.
I still wasn’t sure if this was the most reckless decision I could make. If I was begging for trouble, coming here. Standing out in the open like a sitting duck. But I refused to spend my life hiding.
My grandmother stood at the window with the drapes peeled open so she could peek outside. Her wrinkled face was twisted in something that appeared a little too close to glee.
Awesome.
She’d witnessed whatever the hell that was with Cody.
“No one,” I muttered as I climbed down onto my knees to rip the tape free of one of the boxes.
“Oh, I’m pretty sure it was someone. No missing that hulk of a man. That one was pure muscle from his head all the way down to his boots. And those boots were big. Real big. Sex on a stick, that one. Like taking a good lick of candy.”