Is It Any Wonder (Nantucket Love Story #2) - Courtney Walsh Page 0,91

of anger strapped to her back.

They stood there in the darkness for several long seconds, neither of them in a hurry to leave, and Cody felt something between them shift. The pretense and caution disappeared and left in their place a connection so deep he thought it might unravel him.

He didn’t want to hate her anymore. He didn’t hate her anymore.

But in place of that anger he’d carried with him was a feeling much more disturbing—affection. True, honest, genuine affection for her. He wanted to know everything about her. He wanted to spend all his free time with her. He wanted to go out with her and stay in with her, and man, if he didn’t want to kiss her senseless right now.

“I should probably get going.” Her voice was barely above a whisper. Did she feel it too?

Was it wrong to pray for rain, just to have a reason to drive her home, to prolong this goodbye? “Yeah, me too.”

She smiled. A kind smile. A polite smile. An I-can’t-tell-what-you’re-thinking smile. It nearly did him in.

This was bad. Get-out-of-town bad. He needed to put some distance between them—fast. He took a step away from her before he did anything he’d regret, like scoop her into his arms and take her home with him.

“See you tomorrow.”

He hurried into his Jeep and started the engine, then drove off without looking back. She’d always had the ability to cast a strange sort of spell over him—it made him act irrationally and led to terrible decisions. He needed to remember that this was why he didn’t let himself get all brainless over women. Ever. It was also why he didn’t drink alcohol or do drugs.

Cody had decided a long time ago never to lose his focus again—and love, as intoxicating as it was, led to a loss of focus. And that led to disaster.

He drove into town. He was hungry, and he needed to clear his head. He knew a lot of the guys hung out at the Rose & Crown, a bar downtown, and they probably had burgers, so he parked the Jeep and went inside.

Music blasted through mounted speakers, dampening the din of chatter. He looked around at the crowd and spotted a single face he recognized—McKenzie Palmer.

Cody wasn’t stupid. He knew plenty of women like McKenzie, and he could tell she was into him. Under different circumstances, he might’ve cared, but if he were honest with himself, the only person he spent any time thinking about was the redhead he’d just left standing alone in Maggie’s yard.

McKenzie wasn’t one for taking hints, though. In fact, it seemed his disinterest in her only made him more appealing. She spotted him and waved. She might’ve even squealed—it was too loud to tell for sure. She hopped off her barstool and sashayed toward him.

She was beautiful, he supposed. He’d overheard some of the guys talking about her, but until this moment, he hadn’t really paid attention.

“Good evening, XPO Boggs. Fancy meeting you here.” She was standing so close to him, he could smell her shampoo. Flowers. He liked the way Louisa smelled better.

“Just came in for a burger,” he said dumbly.

She grabbed his hand and tugged. “Come sit with us. I’ve got a great spot.” She pointed a finger toward the bar where she’d been sitting. “Plus, everyone is always trying to impress me, so I can get your food really fast.” She laughed.

He allowed himself to be led over to the bar and then sat next to McKenzie and her friend, a dark-headed girl with teeth so white he wondered if they were painted.

“This is Giselle,” McKenzie said. “She helps with my blog.”

Cody extended a hand toward the other girl. She picked it up and studied it as if he’d just handed her a clay pot. “Nice hands.” She grinned. “You’re hot.”

He put Giselle around age twenty-three. It was amazing how a few years could widen the gap between people.

“Derek, can you get my friend a burger with the works?” McKenzie fluttered her lashes and flashed a smile toward the bartender, who shot Cody a look.

“To go,” Cody said.

The man disappeared through a door, and Cody turned to find McKenzie pouting. “You’re not going to stay with us?”

“Sorry; I’ve got to get up early.” To see Louisa.

“I never get up early,” McKenzie said. “It’s against my religion.”

“You should try it,” Cody said. “I never miss a sunrise if I can help it.”

“No way.” Giselle slammed her glass on the bar. “Mack and I