THE CRAZY GOOD SERIES - Rachel Robinson Page 0,272

to explain in Lainey-talk is that we are unfinished business.” My pulse throbs against my neck as I wait for her next words.

She sighs. “I’m getting married soon, Cody. Married. I just need to see you one more time. So I don’t trip on the damn laces. You know?”

I nod and then realize she can’t see me. “You would be the one to trip on your way down the aisle, wouldn’t you?” I try to make light of the heaviness that just entered the building.

“I know what I’m asking is selfish, and I have no right, but here I am asking anyway. I’ll just go ahead and apologize in advance. That’s how petulant I feel right now. I’m sorry, Cody.”

To tell her I understand would be a blatant lie. I’m on the opposing end of true, blue selfishness and her simple request isn’t even on the egocentric radar. She interrupts my thoughts. “I have to go. I’ll see you tomorrow. La Grenouille at noon. It’s right by the park. That work?”

“Sure, sounds great. See you then.” I look up at the large metal clock in my kitchen. Fourteen hours until I see Lainey Rosemont. I won’t sleep a wink tonight. I’m sure of it.

“Bye…Cody,” Lainey breathes and then ends the call. I stare at her number on my cell phone before it disappears. The stupid sequence of numbers is all I have of her right now. Tomorrow I’ll have more.

And I already know that more won’t be enough.

I want all.

CHAPTER FOUR

Lainey

THAT FABRIC WON’T do. Marney is going to take one look at it and vomit the paisley puke floral print all over my expensive heels. There is absolutely no way around this trip to Manhattan. It has the only fabric store that suits my client’s needs. I’ll select a few samples for her drapes, eat lunch with my ex-fiancé and be back to Virginia Beach in a jiffy. That’s what I keep telling myself. The truth is that I want to heave bacon, egg, and cheese all over the carpeted floor mat in my car. The drive from Virginia Beach to Manhattan isn’t all that bad. Especially if I leave in the wee hours of the morning. The traffic swirling around me has signaled my arrival to NYC. Yellow blurs of cabs honk furiously and the morning rush of people cascade from all directions. I tossed and turned all night because I’m almost positive I’m making a poor decision to see Cody again after all this time. I’m. Going. To. See. Cody. He’s here somewhere in this madness, waiting to meet me. The thought makes me wild with anticipation. Oh, and so mother-loving nervous I can barely see straight.

It boils down to something extremely simple: I can’t not see him before I get married. Dax argued that it really wouldn’t make a difference if I saw him now rather than in a few months after we’re married, but I think it will. I need single Lainey eyes to lock on my former love. The same eyes that loved him and lost him need to be present. Sure, a marriage certificate is just a piece of paper—a trivial thing, really—but I’ll be changed, my views skewed. So, I’m doing this. I’m meeting with him for lunch to talk. Cody will be different; he has to be after what he’s been through. How can someone be held captive for years on end and come out on the other side sane and normal? If I’m being honest, I hope he’s not my same old Cody. Speaking to him on the phone did nothing to further that hope. He sounds the same. Like no time has passed at all. It makes my stomach clench and my heart squeeze. “Do not vomit in this car, Lainey. It’s just lunch,” I say out loud, like a complete lunatic. “Surely you can make it through a lunch with your former fiancé.

“How could Dax let me do this? Is he insane? Doesn’t he know that Cody sounds exactly the same as he did when I was head over heels in love with him? How can he trust me? I don’t deserve him. I don’t deserve anything.” A car swerves into my lane and I have to slam on my brakes. “Get a fucking grip, Lane. The solution isn’t to kill yourself first.” Maybe this time I’ll listen to the sound woman in my head. I’m a grown, professional woman and this is what I’ve been reduced to. One