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“Hey there, Cakes,” is crooned smoothly, pulling my attention away from the menu and my thoughts.
I look up with furrowed brows. Then, a gasp leaves my lips. I can’t believe my eyes.
“Cody?”
“Hey, sugar.”
I stand from my seat. He pulls me into a tight hug. I hadn’t known how much I needed this hug until this moment. It’s the hug of someone who’s in this big, lonely city trying to pretend they’re okay.
We release each other and I take a step back. He looks so different in his business suit. His hair is cut differently as well. I think they call the style a crew cut. It works with his golden-brown locks and hazel-brown eyes. The slight, neat beard is a nice addition as well.
“What are you doing here?”
“I came over to ask you the same thing. I was here having dinner with my mentor. On our way out, I saw you sitting here alone and came over.”
“Oh, I’m not here alone.”
“Hey, sorry about that. There was a bit of a line,” Elise says as she returns to the table.
Cody turns and they both freeze as they stare at each other. I give an amused smile as I watch them take each other in. Cody cleans up nicely, and from the look on Elise’s face, she notices that fact too.
“Cody?”
“Hey, Elise.”
“Do you want to sit with us for dinner?” I ask.
“I only had appetizers and drinks with my mentor. Why not?”
I flag down our waiter and request another place setting or table. He graciously says he’ll bring over a seat and place setting for Cody. While we wait, we all make small talk.
“Thanks for letting me join you. I had planned to go back to my dorm and study for an exam I could take in my sleep I’ve already studied so much,” Cody says once we are all seated.
“No problem. If it weren’t for Elise, I’d be home miserable,” I reply.
“Really? How’s the music going?”
“It’s going. Just not as fast as I thought it would. There’s always something. To be honest, most days I’m bored out of my mind waiting for my phone to ring with some kind of news.”
“I keep telling her it will all pick up as soon as they figure out what to do with all that cuteness and that powerhouse voice. They have no idea how to market a cute little Black country singer,” Elise says.
“I sure do hope they don’t try to change you. You’re perfect the way you are,” Cody says as he smiles at me.
“Thank you.” I blush and duck my head.
“Speaking of change, this is a new you,” Elise says to Cody.
Cody smoothes down his tie as his cheeks turn pink. I notice then his nails are manicured and polished clear. I look him over again. He has changed a lot.
“I like your new hair,” Cody replies. “It suits you.”
“Thanks,” Elise says, fingering her wavy brown-and-blonde-ombre bob.
I went with her this afternoon to get it done. She chopped off all her long locks to piss her mama off. Although very pretty on Elise, this cut is going to get stuck in her mama’s craw.
“Have you made any friends?” Cody says to me. “Like, do you have anyone to introduce Elise to while she’s here?”
“Not a single one.”
