He does care.
Jessup did as he was told, but he’d locked his glare onto Louisa so tightly she thought she might snap.
“Louisa?” Cody gestured as if to encourage her to continue.
“I understand this is a difficult subject,” she said. “But I really do think it would go a long way in repairing the damage between the Coast Guard and the community.”
“Seems like we’re saying we’ve got something to be sorry for,” Jessup said. “Like we did something wrong so we have to pay them off to try and make it right.”
“But we didn’t do anything wrong,” the guy next to Jessup said.
Louisa didn’t bother to point out that it was Jessup’s thoughtless commentary that had caused them trouble in the first place. If he’d just kept his opinions to himself, none of this would’ve happened. One could argue that they did have at least their insensitivity to be sorry for.
“You saved those boys,” Louisa said. “I know there were comments made during a heightened emotional state, but this is where we are now, with a community that needs to understand that what you do is important. They need to know you’re here for them when they get into trouble and you’re the resource to help them prevent an accident.” She glanced at Cody. “With the recent heroism displayed by Officer Boggs, the timing couldn’t be better.”
“People really do love you guys,” Ally said.
“The fundraiser is going to be a really fun, lighthearted way to get you guys out there,” Louisa said. “You can let me handle the messaging regarding Jackson Wirth. I’ll make sure it’s clear why we’re doing this.”
The pause felt long and stubborn, and then—thankfully—a big guy in the back said, “Are we going to take bets on which one of us will bring in the most at the auction?”
The chatter started again. They sounded positive, excited even.
“We’ll keep you posted on all the details,” she said above the din. Aaron Jessup was still glaring at her. He broke eye contact, then stood and walked out.
“That guy hates us,” Louisa said to Ally.
“I’ve always felt bad for him.”
Louisa narrowed her gaze on her friend. “He dug himself into this hole.”
“But I can understand why he said what he did. I mean, Jackson’s parents were pretty critical. And ungrateful.”
“He is going to make our job a lot harder.”
Ally quieted and looked away.
“Good work, ladies.” Duncan was beside them now. “XPO Boggs is your point person on this, but keep me in the loop and let me know if you need anything.”
“We will.” Louisa glanced at Cody, still standing against the wall at the back. “Thank you.”
Duncan smiled at her. “You’ve done good work here. We’re really looking forward to it. Why don’t you send me some dates and we’ll get going?”
“Sounds good.”
He walked away, and Louisa turned toward Ally, but her friend was no longer in the room. She gathered her things together, stuck her iPad back in her bag, and said a silent prayer of thanks that she’d survived.
A tall guardsman approached her. “Great job today, Miss Chambers.” He was probably a year or two younger than Louisa and handsome, with nice eyes. “Can I call you Louisa?”
“That is my name,” she said politely.
“I’m Charlie,” he said. “Charlie Pope.”
“Good to meet you, Charlie.”
She glanced back to where Cody had been standing, but the spot against the wall was empty. She felt her insides tense at not knowing where he was.
“Will you be bidding at the auction?” He leaned a little closer to her, his face warming, and oh, he was hitting on her.
She inched back slightly. “I don’t think so. Feels like that might be a conflict of interest.”
“It’s for a good cause, though, right?” His eyes were full on her in a way that suddenly made her uncomfortable. She could charm anyone, but when it came to actual relationships with men, she was something of a failure. Her mother said she talked too much. She called it “nervous brain dump,” and Louisa couldn’t argue. She did seem to suffer from this very specific affliction.
“It’s a great cause,” she said. “I should go find Alyssa.” She started past him, but he grabbed her arm to stop her. She looked at him, then at her arm.
“Sorry,” he said, letting her go. “Just wanted you to know I’m hoping you bid on me.” Another grin.
“Louisa, I’ll walk you out.” The voice from behind her was like a sound from heaven, as once again Cody Boggs swooped in to save her. She didn’t even have to turn around to know it was him, strong and protective, like a guardian angel.
Normally her independent nature would’ve bucked at the idea of a man protecting her, but she couldn’t help it—it made her insides tingle. Had he been watching out for her this whole time?
“Nice to meet you, Charlie,” she said.
Charlie winked at her.
Louisa turned and found Cody standing there, waiting for her to pass but glaring at Charlie. She walked past him, and he followed her out of the room.
“For the record, winking at a woman is not cute. It’s creepy.” She laughed.
Cody didn’t.
They were outside now, and Louisa realized she still didn’t know where Alyssa had gotten off to.
“Do you want to tell me how great I did on my presentation?” She smiled.
He raised an eyebrow.
“Come on, don’t pretend you don’t think this is all going to be awesome.”
“It was fine, Louisa. I’ll see you later.”
“Would it kill you to smile once in a while?”
“Have a good day.” He turned then as if to end the conversation and disappear all at once.
“Okay, bye,” she said with only a slight edge of sarcasm playing in her tone.
Ally came out of the station, passing him as he went back in. “What was that about?”
Louisa slung her bag across her body. “Cody being Cody, I guess.”
“Cody being hot?” Ally waggled her eyebrows.
Louisa hopped on her Vespa and strapped the helmet on. “Cody being grumpy.”
“Like I said.”
Louisa groaned. “He can’t stand me. He’ll never forgive me, and having to work with him on this project is pretty much my worst nightmare.”
Ally squeezed her arm. “Give him some time.”
“It’s been twelve years.”
“Right, but you haven’t been in each other’s lives since then. Give him some time now to figure out how he feels.”
“Oh, I know how he feels. That’s the problem.”
“Okay, so we could quit,” she said.
“I never quit,” Louisa said.
“Then figure out how to deal with him.” Ally pulled her hand away. “I’ll see you back at the office a little later.”
“Fine,” she murmured.
She started the Vespa, checked that her bag was secure, and sighed. “Figure out how to deal with him.”
It seemed like it should be easy, but she knew better. Ever since he saved her life, the man had turned her insides out, and she wasn’t sure how to right herself.