Adam and Simon’s eyes both went wide and stared past her.
She wondered what had them spooked, until she turned and found Cody coming up behind her, his narrowed eyes glued to the three young men in front of her.
“Brooke. A word.”
Adam, Jeremiah, and Simon all said, “Hey,” at the same time to Cody.
“You guys having a good time?” Cody slipped his hand around her waist and pulled her to his side.
What the…what?
A whirl of butterflies took flight in her belly and her skin flushed with the heat of him sinking into her. He smelled delicious, like dark chocolate and spice. She stood still, trying to keep the placid look on her face and not let anyone know how deeply his nearness affected her. She stood as still as possible and forbade herself from leaning into him.
Be good. Don’t do anything stupid. Again.
The guys stood staring, probably as curious as she was by Cody’s not-so-subtle protective steak when it came to her.
Jeremiah took a big step back and said, “It was good to catch up. I’ll text you about meeting up. I think I’ll go check out the dessert table.” All the sentences nearly ran together, he spoke so fast.
“Me, too,” Adam said, turning to follow Jeremiah.
Simon gave Cody a long look before saying, “I really hope to see you soon.”
Cody’s embrace tightened.
Brooke subtly nudged him. He didn’t move an inch.
Brooke gave Simon a big smile. “I’m looking forward to it.”
Simon nodded. “And congratulations on the store and everything.”
Her smile softened as her appreciation that he cared overcame her. “Thank you.”
Cody waited for Simon to head off toward their other friends before raising a brow at her.
Chapter Seventeen
He didn’t want dessert but picked up a piece of strawberry cheesecake and followed his buddies to one of the tables where he could still see Brooke withhim.
Cody was her stepbrother. He shouldn’t have his hands on her like that.
He seethed, a coiled rattler ready to strike.
Who was he kidding? He didn’t have it in him to demand the guy take his damn hands offhiswoman.
Brooke didn’t seem to mind.
She was being polite. Not making a scene in front of everyone. That’s all it was.
He narrowed his eyes, wondering at Cody’s game as much as Brooke appeared to be. Because the second he’d wrapped his arm around her, her eyes went wide with surprise, like this was something unexpected.
Why would Cody touch her like she belonged to him when the blonde in the gold dress, glaring from across the room, was his girlfriend?
Which meant all of this was for show. Cody was making sure every man in the room knew she was off-limits. He was being an overprotective stepbrother. That’s all.
Not a problem. I’ll see Brooke back at school. When she’s alone.
He still had a shot with her.
