Chapter Nineteen
Brooke was tired of staring at the walls and everyone in the house staring at her, wondering if she was okay. She wanted to feel normal again. She wanted to get out of the house and do something. So she asked Cody if he’d take her to see her new building and storefronts. He’d suggested the trip a couple of times over the last few days.
Today when she approached him, it had made him happier than something so small should, and she knew she’d made the right choice. She couldn’t wallow forever.
Though she had her reservations about being in public with her injuries and her head not in a great place, the thought of seeing all her plans for the building coming together actually excited her.
But she couldn’t stop fidgeting, hyperaware of how many people were out on the sidewalks downtown.
She knew Adam was locked up in a hospital, but that didn’t mean her body knew it. Adrenaline pumped through her veins.At least it was light out. She didn’t know if she could take being out at night.
Cody opened the car door and held out his hand to assist her to her feet. She didn’t remember them stopping and him getting out of the car while her mind raced.
She sucked in a deep breath, concentrated on the feel of the warm sunshine on her face, and that she’d worn a long-sleeved shirt to cover her sliced up and bandaged arms. She couldn’t hide the brace, but no one would think anything but that she’d sprained her wrist or something.
“You okay?”
She nodded at Cody, biting her bottom lip. “Fine.”
“No one knows anything. No one is staring. It’s just you and me.”
She appreciated the reminder. She feared being ambushed by the press. But so far, all anyone knew was that the campus stalker’s unnamed victim had gone home just before the semester ended and he remained at large.
She’d have to do something about that soon.
But not right now.
Today was to look toward her future, and he had no place in it.
She squeezed Cody’s hand and he squeezed back, letting her know he was there and she was safe. It settled her nerves like his kiss grounded her, even as it made her heart soar, and she appreciated his understanding and not saying anything about her sweaty palm.
This was the first time she was seeing the renovations in person and she wanted to take it all in and enjoy it. Cody and Danny Quinn from Quinn Construction had sent her extensive pictures and videos of the progress. But nothing beat seeing the improvements in person.
They were parked right outside the old bookstore. The front windows had been cleaned, the trim painted in black. A sign hung over the door. Brooke’s Book Nook Café.
He’d gotten all of that done over the last week while she was at home grieving and just trying to breathe through each agonizing day. He somehow found the strength to take care of her, grieve, work to satisfy his obligations, hold her through each night to keep the monster away. How did he do all of that and help her to make her dreams come true?
“Cody?”
“Yeah.” He stared down at her, expectant and ready to answer or give her whatever she needed.
“Thank you.”
“For what?”
She held her hand out toward the building. “This. Everything. Taking care of me. Being you.”
He put his arm around her shoulders, drew her close to his chest, and kissed her forehead. “You don’t have to thank me for anything. It’s my pleasure to do anything, everything for you.”
She went up on tiptoe and lightly kissed him. “Thank you.” She wanted him to know she meant it.
He cupped her cheek and brushed his nose against hers. “You’re welcome.”
She gave him a smile and got one back. “I love the sign’s design with the shelf of books all lined up under the shop name.”
Cody squeezed her hand and turned to look at it with her. “Did it turn out the way you hoped?”
“It’s even better in person.”
