“You’d be taking on a woman who has a child, Cody. That’s a lot. You sure that’s what you want?”
“As sure as I’ve ever been about anything in my life.” He cups my face. “I get that this is all moving fast, but when it's right, you know it. I feel it in my bones. This is it. You’re it for me. You and Tucker. I don’t ever want to lose you.”
Tears spill down my cheeks. “I think I love you, Cody.”
“Only think? Try again.”
“I love you, Cody.”
“That’s better. I love you, Heather. Down to my soul. Never been surer of anything.”
I laugh with happiness and relief, and he kisses me, then looks into my eyes and smiles. “Room 321. Where the mostbeautiful girl in the world stood on the balcony and told me she loved me, and everything changed. I won’t forget that number.”
I giggle. “Are you a romantic, Cody?”
“I guess I am, sweetheart. A sappy, romantic fool, just for you. And you’re stuck with me.”
“It’s a burden, but I think I can handle it.”
His laughter melts my heart. “Smartass.”
Then he throws me over his shoulder and carries me to bed.
CHAPTER THIRTY
Heather—
Two nights later, I’m at Lucky’s working. I stand at the end of the bar with a tray, waiting for my drink order.
Jackie, a dark-haired beauty, is bartending at this end.
“What do you need, honey?” she asks, barely looking up from the ice she’s putting in a cocktail glass.
“Three Coronas, a margarita on the rocks, and one Cosmo.”
She rolls her eyes at that. “Is Carrie Bradshaw here?”
Her reference to Sex and the City makes me smile. “Hey, I loved that show, especially the clothes. But Mr. Big was a jerk.”
“I know, right? My favorite was Samantha Jones. She was a badass bitch who knew what she wanted in life.”
I chuckle. “Definitely.”
While Jackie makes my drinks, I watch Ray bartending at the other end of the bar. He serves a drink, then takes the money off the bar and moves to the cash register. He hits a button and the drawer pops open, but he doesn’t put the bill in the drawer; instead, he slips it into his pocket.
When he turns, his eyes hit mine, and I quickly look away.Oh, fuck. It’s him. He is stealing. I study Jackie, wondering if she and the rest of the bartenders are doing the same thing.
The rest of the night, I watch Jackie but never see her do what Ray did.
Since he saw me observe his theft, he’s left the bar to her and another bartender, but neither of them steals a dime.
Finally, it’s last call, and I’m cashing out my tips. I don’t see Ray anywhere, which is a relief, because I just want to get out of here.
Cody is supposed to meet me here, but I haven’t heard from him. I shoot him a text.
ME: Will you be here soon?
He doesn’t reply, and I clock out and head upstairs. The assistant managers are still closing, so that makes me feel better. I never saw Ray again and wonder if he left the bar earlier.
