She considered turning the job down, but that was impractical. She desperately needed the work. She wasn’t at a point where she could be picky, especially not with a reason as lame as “I don’t want to have to deal with this man or the way I feel when I’m around him.” For pete’s sake, she was an adult, whether Eric believed it or not.

Cody would have to get over it. Why did he insist on being so crabby toward her anyway? Everybody liked Louisa. She was utterly likable. He was the one with a less-than-personable demeanor.

“It’ll be great press for the two of you to be working on this project together, given your history,” Duncan said.

Louisa frowned, while the crease in Cody’s forehead deepened. “Our history?” she asked.

Duncan looked confused. “You almost drowning, him saving your life.”

Her heart steadied, but only slightly. “Right,” she said.

“Okay, we’ll leave you to the brainstorming, unless you think you might benefit from our help?” Duncan shifted forward on his chair.

“No, that’s okay,” she said. What she meant was There’s no way I can think with Cody staring at me. “I do my best thinking when I’m alone.” She stood. “I can work a few ideas up and get them to you by Friday.”

She ignored the red flag waving at the back of her mind.

She had the Timmons anniversary party Friday night. She was overpromising. She might’ve even been overselling her abilities a little because she wanted to look good in front of the first boy she’d ever loved.

Great. She was officially a ninny. That’s what Maggie called girls who made senseless decisions because of boys. Ninnies. She’d never thought of herself as a ninny before, but here she was, acting like one.

Seconds later, she was walking both men toward the door. They said their goodbyes (she was very professional if she did say so herself), but as soon as they were gone, she dropped into the nearby armchair and buried her face in her hands.

This summer was turning out to be a disaster, and it wasn’t even June.

CHAPTER NINE

LATER THAT DAY, CODY STOOD IN THE KITCHEN of his small apartment, provided by the United States Coast Guard. He had unpacked his one duffel bag the day he arrived, but he’d yet to touch a single box or figure out a way to furnish the place. As it was, the only thing he’d had time to get was a bed, an armchair, and a small television.

It was quiet. Too quiet. And he hated it.

He called the base. Duncan answered. “Boggs, you’re off duty. Don’t you know how to relax?”

Cody didn’t say so, but no, he really didn’t.