THE CRAZY GOOD SERIES - Rachel Robinson Page 0,293

me every day. Seeing his name in my personal inbox, an address that not many people have, has always been a jolt of happiness and excitement. Nothing has changed. If anything the feeling has intensified. I can’t click open quick enough.

From: [email protected]

To: [email protected]

Subject: The Star Spangled Banner

I suspect your intended has spoken to you about my plans for the Hamptons. I wanted to surprise you like I used to, but the extenuating circumstances we face take the surprise out of it. What do you say? A couple days away? For old times’ sake? I’ve booked airline tickets. You should receive them by email shortly. We’ll return home by private aircraft.

I took a break from coding to research the national anthem of fifteen other countries. I’m sure they’d sound divine as a hum.

I miss you.

C

I smile from ear to ear, forcing crow’s feet to the corners of my eyes, and I don’t even care. I reread the note a few times, trying to pick up on subtle clues. He’s able to hide behind his words well. Other than a hint of jealousy over the fact that I’m wearing Dax’s ring, there’s nothing to be detected. I love the Hamptons: the beach, the parties, the oversized cottages smack-dab on the oceanfront. Of course I want to go and be there with Cody. I compose a new email.

From: [email protected]

To: [email protected]

Subject: Coveted humming abilities

I really wish you and Dax didn’t talk. It makes this weird. Well, it’s super weird anyways, but it makes it even more so. Like I’m the child and you’re sharing custody of me. I have a meeting in a bit, but can we meet up later? I need to talk to you in person. I’m not sure how much longer I can do this.

I miss you always.

L (Hums-like-an-old-refrigerator)

He doesn’t reply by email, he calls. Exiting my office to head for the garage, I answer the call.

“How much longer you can do what?” Cody asks.

I smile because it’s his voice, but I sigh because I wanted to see him when I spoke with him. It’s the only way I’ll truly know how he feels. “I said in person, Cody,” I say, my tone mocking. I pick up fabric samples from the table in the back foyer and open the garage.

“Right. You did. I’m driving to your house now.”

I glance down at my Patek Philippe watch. “Now?”

“I’m leaving for a few days.” That’s the only explanation I’ll get. I rub my forehead. Marney.

I throw the fabric in the backseat of my overpriced European coupé and slam the door. “I have a meeting with a client right now,” I tell him.

I see his large SUV gleam in the distance. He really was driving to my house—a fact that shouldn’t surprise me. He must have been emailing on his cell. “I just need to see you. Please. Ten minutes,” he says, his black polished vehicle turning into my driveway and winding its way toward where I stand. The gravelly noise his tires make as they crunch their way toward me is exciting. I want to see him. I need to see him. He pulls up as close to my garage as he can get…blocking me in.

“Ten minutes,” I whisper into the mouthpiece. He grins at me through his windshield, exposing white teeth. Sunglasses hide his eyes, but I already know exactly how they shine when he smiles this wide.

I walk over to his driver’s side door as he hops out. With the cell phone still pressed to his ear, he says, “You’re okay?” Odd question.

I hang up my phone and throw it into the bag on my shoulder. “I’m fine. Why wouldn’t I be okay?” I slit my eyes, wary of his response. Even wary, I can’t help but drink him in like a tall glass of water. His proximity will never get old. It reminds me why I need to talk to him.

He plays it cool, all shrugging his shoulders and sliding from his seat with the grace of a panther. Cody folds his arms around me and pulls me so close that every inch of the front of my body is pressing against his. I see him glancing around my house from my peripheral vision, and I know something’s off. Burying my face in his neck, I inhale. “I’m more than okay now.” I raise his glasses. “Something you want to tell me?”

He shakes his head. “Nah. I just worry about you. That’s all.” A funny thing happens. I can’t really tell