Cody. He was still here. After what he’d seen yesterday, after what she’d done, he hadn’t left. That awareness made her queasy, the squeeze of happiness fighting the rush of shame. She’d never let anyone come to her parents’ house. Ever. But he’d been there, been inside, seen what she’d come from. And worse, he’d seen what she would become and he’d stayed. She opened her eyes and looked at his face. He looked younger, almost boyish, no hint of the strength that he’d displayed, that she now knew was as much a part of him as his cocky playfulness, present. But she couldn’t doubt it, not now. Because he’d seen it, seen her, and he’d stayed. He opened his eyes and smiled at her. “Now, that’s a sight to see first thing.” She lifted one corner of her mouth but then dropped it immediately, her face seeming unwilling to make a smile. He didn’t seem to have the same problem, and he smiled again and then lifted his hand and traced a thumb across her cheek and then her lips.
