Carli looks up from her conversation with Audra, and her brows lift. Carli’s smile at me is instantaneous.
“Cody?” She tucks her smile away and glances back at Audra.
“Hey, Audra,” I say. “Hey, Carli.”
“I didn’t know you were … I mean, what are you …” Carli stutters, her eyes going slightly wide.
“McKenna didn’t tell you I was the one running the errands today?” I say, saving Carli from the verbal ditch she’s unintentionally digging.
“No. She didn’t.” She smiles cordially at me. “How have you been?”
“Good,” I say. “I’ve been enjoying the stars this week since the rain passed us by.”
Carli’s blush rises and I almost kick myself for playing around.
Audra's face is a mask of confusion.
“Have you seen the stars lately?” I ask Audra.
“Can’t say I have. I get here pretty early most mornings. By the time the stars are out, I’m heading to bed.”
“I hear that,” I tell her.
Carli pivots so Audra can’t see her face, thins her lips and bugs her eyes out like she’d like to kill me for messing around. I almost chuckle. I’m not giving anything away. I am more than likely going to be the subject of some strange speculation in the rumor mill.Why is Cody Lawson talking about stargazing?Let ’em talk. As long as they don’t know who I’m stargazing with, I’m good with being the subject of the town tea.
“Well,” I say, looking between Carli and Audra. “It was good seeing you ladies. Hope to see you around soon.”
“Bye, Cody,” Audra says.
“Bye, Cody,” Carli says.
I don’t look at her. I can’t. I’ll give it all away. Just seeing her here was like drinking the first sip of Coke on a summer day where the bubbles go up your nose and down your throatand the cool of the drink satisfies you in a way nothing else will—at least for a minute. Then you just want more.
I load up my cart with everything we need at the ranch and by the time I circle back to the bulk order counter, Carli is long gone.
I’m on my way home when my phone rings.
I smile at her name on my screen.
“Stargazing?”
“Hey, Carli.” My smile widens.
“Don’tHey, Carlime.” I can hear the smile in her voice.
I chuckle.
“Oh, Cody. Cody Lawson. Your birthday party is coming.” She pauses. “And payback is a bear.”
My smile widens, if that’s even possible. “You wouldn't, Chuck.”
“You caught me off guard back there.”
“Are you mad?” I ask, even though her tone tells me she isn’t.
“I’m not mad. Now I've got time to prepare.”
“I thought you’d be happy to see me,” I tease.
