Code of Love

by Sharon Cummin

  Julie knew her eyes were wider than ever, and before she could answer, Jessie spoke again.

  “There was no way I'd miss that. I'll let you have your space, but I want to hear all about the man that has my sister smiling that goofy smile.”

  “It's not goofy,” Julie said.

  “Oh, it is,” Jessie said. “Makes me wonder if he might be one of the reasons you're staying.”

  Jessie grabbed the knob on Julie's door, and just as she pulled the door almost completely closed, Julie blurted out.

  “It has nothing to do with him. Believe me.”

  “Keep telling yourself that,” Jessie said.

  Then she shut the door and was gone.

  Julie's phone had stopped ringing only to start ringing again right away. She hit the green accept call button with the biggest smile on her face. Cody had definitely made an impact on her, but there was no way she'd ever let him know it.

  “Have a little patience,” Julie said, as she answered the phone. “Give a girl a minute. Are you always this pushy?”

  “Only when it comes to something I really want,” Cody answered. “I don't bother with the rest, so I guess the answer would be yes, I am always this pushy.”

  “Good to know,” Julie said nervously, as she thought about his words.

  Chapter 8

  Cody

  Cody couldn't get Julie out of his head. He'd actually had a great time at dinner, and that had honestly never happened before, not like that. He'd had nice dinners, but not where he'd actually been able to be himself. There was sarcasm, happiness, and intellectual conversation, and it was all with the same woman. That wasn't something that had ever come his way before. Julie was smart, and she knew what she was talking about. The things she'd taken notes on were awesome, and the things she'd mentioned to improve on his ideas were spot on. He'd taken mental notes like crazy, and as soon as he got home, he fired up his laptop and got to work. A huge part of him wanted to text her to make sure she'd gotten home, but he didn't do it. She'd made it clear they were meeting over business, and he'd never once before checked on anyone he'd had a business dinner with.

  By the time he finally put his laptop away and had gone to bed, Cody's mind hadn't settled any. He was still thinking about her, her cocky mouth, and her damn brain. What was wrong with him, he wondered? She was Gavin Lucas' daughter, a total daddy's girl, and she was most likely just trying to get information for him. That was exactly what he was supposed to be doing as well, trying to get information on her dad, but that wasn't what he'd done, and it surely wasn't what he was thinking about either. Why had she given him pointers? Was it to help him, or was it to throw him off his game? Why would she ever want to help him? She wouldn't, that was for sure. It was to throw him off his game. It had to be, and it was fucking working.

  As soon as his eyes opened the next day, which was late since he hadn't been able to fall asleep, she was still on his mind. He wasn't even out of bed before he had his phone in his hand and had tapped call on her name.

  “Pussy,” he said to himself, as he waited for her to pick up.

  When his call went to voicemail, he called again. It was bullshit. She'd kept him up all night, and he knew that she'd probably gotten the best sleep ever. What the fuck, he thought. Then he heard her voice and the smile behind her words, and the part of him that had felt bad for not telling her he knew who her father was began feeling something completely different.

  “Have a little patience. Give a girl a minute. Are you always this pushy?”

  Cody felt the blood in his veins begin to boil.

  “Only when it comes to something I really want,” he answered, with a rough tone in his voice. “I don't bother with the rest, so I guess the answer would be yes, I am always this pushy.”

  “Good to know,” she said, in a shaky tone, and he couldn't help the satisfied feeling that ran through him.

  “How was your night?” he asked.

  “Kind of strange actually,” she replied.

  That wasn't the answer he'd expected, and it left him wondering what exactly she meant.

  “How's that?” he asked. “You meet your friend at the club again?”

  “No,” she answered. “That was a one time thing. It was just family stuff. Oh, and I got a job.”

  “You got a job?” he asked, with confusion he couldn't hide filling his tone.

  Of course she had a job, working with her dad. He just wasn't sure when she was leaving to do it.

  “Yep,” she said. “I'm now a teacher.”

  “A teacher?” he asked, with shock in his words.

  “A teacher,” she repeated. “They offered me a teaching position at the college for the summer, and I took it.”

  “This happened last night?” Cody asked.

  “They offered it to me the day before, but I told them I had to think about it,” she answered.

  “And?” he asked, wanting more than she had given him.

  “And I made the decision after I got home from dinner last night,” she said.

  How the hell had she decided that after their dinner, he wondered? It didn't make sense. She'd gone on and on about coding, yet she'd gone home and accepted a teaching job.

  “Congratulations!” he said, unsure of anything else to say. “Is that what you want?”

  “It is for now,” she answered.

  “And in the fall?” he asked.

  “As long as the teaching thing works out, I might continue on with it for a bit longer,” she said, and he was shocked yet again.

  What had her avoiding her father and her asshole uncle, he wondered? Normally, she was running home.

  “Really?” he asked.

  “Yes,” she answered. “My sister is staying too. She works as a nurse at the hospital. We're twins.”

  “So, there are two of you?” he asked, with laughter in his tone. “How did your parents do it?”

  “Not funny,” she said. “I was a joy growing up.”

  “I bet,” he said. “Please tell me you're at least teaching coding.”

  “Oh, I am,” she said. “I'm actually excited about it.”

  “You should be,” he said. “I think you'll be an awesome teacher.”

  “Really?” she asked.

  “For sure,” he answered. “Just from being around you last night, I can definitely see it. When I left, you had me so damn excited that I went home and worked for hours. You're going to teach, but you're going to encourage as well. A lot of times, that's what people need the most. They need to know someone believes they can do it. You're going to give them that.”

  “Thank you,” she said, which totally floored him.

  “For what?” he asked.

  “Just thank you,” she said, letting him know she wasn't willing to explain herself. “Not everyone has the attitude you have. It's nice.”

  “So, what are you doing today?” he asked.

  “I'm not exactly sure,” she answered. “I was thinking about working on a new program, but other than that, nothing. I pick up the books for my classes tomorrow. I guess I'll be pretty busy planning after that. I want to make sure each person that leaves my class feels like they've learned the most they possibly could.”

  “Hopefully they don't just stare at you like they all did me,” he said, with a laugh.

  “I didn't stare at you,” she said.

  “You're different,” he said, before he could stop himself. Then he quickly tried to change the subject. “What's the new program?”

  “Oh, I don't think so,” she said. “It's the one I'm going to use to kick your ass.”

  “Is that so?” he asked.

  “Oh, it is, but don't worry,” she said. “Yours won't be the only ass I'll be kicking.”

  What the fuck was that supposed to mean, he wondered? Who else was she thinking about competing with?

  “You want to get together today?” he asked, knowing that he wanted to see her again and hoping to get more information out of her, not
just about her father either.

  “I'll think about it,” she said.

  Think about it, he thought. What the fuck? Women never put him off until later, not ever.

  “Are you always this way?” he asked, ready to knock on her door, throw her over his shoulder, and show her just who was in charge.

  “Never,” she answered. “There's just something about you that brings it out.”

  “Oh yeah?” he asked.

  “Yeah,” she answered.

  “I'm not sure if I should feel honored or offended,” he said.

  “I would go for offended,” she said, with a laugh. “I've got to go. My sister just called me from the other room. I need to make sure she doesn't need anything.”

  He heard a nervous tone fill her words.

  “Talk to you later,” he said.

  She hung up quickly, and he couldn't help but wonder why she needed to check on her sister. Was she sick? Was something wrong? He'd already known that Gavin Lucas had twin girls. One was following in his footsteps. The other was not. He also had two sons. One of them was young, and the other had joined the service and had been hurt only a month before, but he was okay. Was that why she hurried off the phone for her sister? Was that why she wasn't going home? Was she afraid something was going to happen? Cody couldn't help the sadness that filled him from just thinking about Julie worrying so much. He couldn't help but want to make sure she was okay.

  Cody: Is everything okay?

  It wasn't long before he heard the buzz of his phone.

  Julie: Yes.

  Cody: So, did you decide yet?

  Julie: On what?

  Cody: If you're willing to get together today?

  Julie: So pushy.

  Cody: Better get used to it. I'll be there in an hour to get you. Text me your address.

  Julie: I never said yes.

  Cody: Address?

  When she didn't send a message, he sent another.

  Cody: Are you really going to make me get my laptop out and look it up?

  A minute later, a message came through with her address and an emoji of a person sticking their tongue out.

  Cody: Thank you! That wasn't so hard, was it? See you in an hour.

  Cody hurried out of bed and down the hall to shower. He knew better than to meet up with her again, but no matter what he told himself, it didn't help. He wanted to know more about Julie Lucas, and there was only one way to do that. Knowing there was a chance he'd learn more about her father too was just an added bonus.

  Chapter 9

  Julie

  Julie knew she needed to put her foot down and tell Cody she wasn't going, but that wasn't what she really wanted. She'd had a great time the day before, and she honestly couldn't wait to see him again. He was funny, sarcastic, serious, and brilliant all at the same time, and he made her feel things she rarely felt. In that three hours she'd spent with him, she believed in herself, and she felt like someone else actually believed in her too. It was crazy. He was the competition, and he made her feel better than her father ever had.

  She took a quick shower and got dressed in a pair of jeans and a t-shirt, feeling better than she had in so long. She was going to be an aunt, had gotten a job she was looking forward to going to, and was about to go out with the most gorgeous man she'd ever met.

  “Where are you off to,” Jessie asked, as Julie came around the corner.

  “I'm going out,” Julie answered.

  “With the guy you wore that dress for last night?” Jessie asked.

  Julie nodded and knew her cheeks were turning a dark shade of pink.

  “And who is this man?” Jessie asked.

  “I met him at school,” Julie said, as she walked over, grabbed her sneakers, and sat down on the couch to put them on.

  “Interesting,” Jessie said.

  “Why is that?” Julie asked.

  “Two days in a row,” Jessie said. “That's not like you. He's definitely put a smile on your face. I can't wait to meet this guy.”

  “That's not happening,” Julie blurted out quickly.

  “Why not?” Jessie asked. “Is there something wrong with him?”

  “No,” Julie answered.

  “Are you embarrassed of me?” Jessie asked.

  “No,” Julie snapped out.

  “Then why?” Jessie asked.

  “I have my reasons,” Julie said.

  The things she'd heard both her father and her uncle say popped into her mind. They'd called Cody a snake as well as so many other things. Julie wasn't one to care what other people thought. She was going to give Cody the same chance she gave everyone else, and she hoped so much that he didn't make her regret that decision. She also wasn't ready to admit to her sister what she was doing.

  “You know that makes me want to meet him even more, right? Jessie asked.

  “Not funny,” Julie answered.

  “I'm not laughing,” Jessie said. “I'm going to live through you.”

  “Why is that?” Julie asked. “You can still date. Being pregnant doesn't stop that.”

  “I'm not interested,” Jessie said, as sadness filled her eyes.

  “You okay?” Julie asked.

  “I'm fine,” Jessie answered, as she pointed out the window to the Corvette that had just parked in front of their apartment. “Go out and enjoy your mystery man.”

  As soon as the car door opened and Cody stepped out, Julie took off for the door. There was no way she was letting him come up.

  “Damn!” Jessie said, in a shocked tone.

  “What?” Julie asked, as she pulled open the door.

  “He's gorgeous,” Jessie answered. “Great job, sis. Have a good time.”

  Julie turned, stuck her tongue out, and then took off, pulling the door closed behind her. Cody walked around to the passenger side of his car and opened the door for her.

  “What was that about? he asked, as she got into his car.

  “Nothing,” she said, but she could tell her face was totally giving her away.

  “Really?” he asked.

  “You going to shut that door, or should I just get out and go back?” Julie asked.

  “Smartass,” he grumbled, as he closed the door and walked around the front of the car and back to his side.

  “What are we doing?” she asked. “Are you going to try to pick my brain some more?”

  “Pick your brain?” Cody asked, as he shook his head.

  “Is this a business meeting?” she asked, before looking over to see a shocked look on his face. “I was just asking.”

  “No,” he said. “It's not. I totally love hearing everything you have to say about coding and business, but that's not why I called you.”

  “So it was my amazing personality then?” Julie asked.

  And just like that, any nervous energy filling the car was gone, and laughter was replacing it. The day went great. They went to the park, had a picnic, and even took a walk through the trails. When Cody dropped Julie back off, she was exhausted, but she'd had the best time ever.

  “I had a good time,” Cody said, as he opened the passenger side door of his car for her to get out.

  “Me too,” she said. “I don't get out often, so I don't have a lot to compare it with, but I really enjoyed it.”

  Cody shook his head and a smile filled his face.

  “I'll walk you to the door,” he said.

  “Thank you,” she said. “That's very nice of you.”

  “What can I say,” he began, “I'm a really nice guy.”

  When they got to the door, Julie reached for the knob, but Cody reached out and his hand covered hers. Julie turned, and before she knew what hit her, his other hand wrapped around the back of her neck and his mouth covered hers. When his teeth grabbed her bottom lip and pulled it down, a tiny whimper escaped her. He thrust his tongue into her mouth, and her hand went up to grip the back of his head. As his tongue danced with hers, she felt her knees begin to weaken and knew she needed to pull away.


  “I should go,” she whispered, when she pulled back to catch her breath.

  “Yes,” he said, as he covered her mouth again.

  Before Julie knew it, both of his arms were wrapped around her, her back was against the door to her apartment, and she could feel his hardness pressing against her through his jeans. They were deep in the middle of their second kiss when an image of her dad flashed through her mind. She pulled her mouth away as fast as she could, and she scrambled away from him.

  “I'm sorry,” Julie said. “I really need to go.”

  “So do I,” Cody said, as he took a step back.

  Julie saw a look on his face, and if he hadn't been the one to initiate the kiss, she would have thought it was regret. Maybe it still was, she thought. As he turned and walked back to his car, she couldn't help but feel her own dose of regret. Partly because she knew she was going against her family, and partly because she'd pulled away from his kiss. As soon as he drove away, she opened the door and instantly jumped.

  “That shit was hot,” Jessie said, as she stood just inside the window. “You got it bad.”

  “I do not,” Julie snapped. “It was just a kiss.”

  “That was not just a kiss,” Jessie said. “Were you there? That man wanted a kiss, and he took it. He's into you just as much as you're into him.”

  “He is not,” Julie said. “Neither am I. It doesn't matter. It would never work anyway.”

  Without even giving her sister a second, Julie took off for her bedroom and closed her door behind her. She didn't want Cody to think she was out of her mind, so she grabbed her phone and sent him a message, hoping it would take away the negativity her tiny freak out had most likely given him.

  Julie: Thank you for today. It was really nice.

  She grabbed her laptop, sat down on her bed, and did the only thing she ever did when she was nervous or stressed. She worked.

  Before long, her classes started, and she was deep in the middle of teaching. After an entire month, she was still loving it just as much as she had the first day. How could her dad have acted as if what she was doing was less than what she would've been doing with him, she wondered? Cody hadn't acted like it was less of a job than what he did, so why had her father?