“I’m going to be busy getting settled back into my own place tomorrow night,” she told him, “but if you want to come over and have pizza and a movie night with me, then we could call that a date.”

“Will I get a good night kiss?” he teased.

“I don’t usually give those out on first dates,” she answered.

“How many second dates have you been on?” he asked.

She cocked her head to one side. “Not sure that’s any of your business, Doctor.”

There was no getting ahead of this woman. “Ha! Fair enough,” he answered. “But you can at least tell me if there was ever anyone serious, right?”

“There were a couple.” She shrugged. “They were good guys—respectful and kind—but I backed away when they wanted a serious commitment.”

“Same for me,” Cody said. He had never discussed his past love life with anyone, but he found it a little liberating to talk about it, even in generalities.

“What was your fear of committing?” he asked. “Was it your father? Was he the perfect man in your mind?”

Stevie shook her head. “I don’t have daddy issues, and I’ve known for years that my dad was far from perfect. He was a quiet man of few words, who loved reading and big band music. He left most of the business of raising me up to my mother, but I loved him and accepted things the way they were. I didn’t hate him, and when he died suddenly at the end of my junior year in high school, I missed him something fierce,” she answered.

“Then who was the perfect man in your life?” Cody asked.

“You, Cody Ryan”—Stevie locked gazes with him—“were the cowboy I’d built up in my mind to be perfect, even after you broke up with me. But believe me, I’ve found out that you do not belong on the pedestal I had you on, and for that, I’m very grateful for these past few days.”

Cody finally blinked and looked away. “I’ve never been perfect, Stevie—far from it. I’m sorry that your idea of me has ruined what might have brought you happiness.”

“I’m not.” She shrugged. “Mama always said that God protects drunks and fools. Maybe I was a fool to have such an idea, but then again maybe having it kept me from making a huge mistake in my life.”

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fourteen