Finding Love Again

Chapter 3

On Monday at work Sarah and I got chatting about Friday night. She ended up hooking up with Tom and was pretty excited for when he would come in for coffee today. I had honestly had a great night. Cody and I danced for hours. Just let my hair down and had fun. He didn’t try anything and he didn’t push me into talking. I appreciated it so much, but it just made me even more attracted to him. The rest of the weekend I spent just chilling at home. I had a bit of a plan this morning though when Tom and Cody came for coffee. It was time this girl got on with her life again! 

Almost like they could tell we were talking about them, the door opens and they enter. 

“Just the usual boys?” 

“Yep!” Tom replies as he goes over to chat to Sarah. The two of them continuing to flirt, something definitely brewing between them! Cody cape to chat to me as I made their order. 

“I had fun on Friday. We should hang out again sometime” he said hopefully. 

“Yeah I would like that” I replied grinning and handing him their coffee’s. If he had of looked down at that moment he would have seen that I wrote my phone number on the lid of his coffee cup. Instead, he grabbed the coffees and practically dragged Tom out of the shop. 

The rest of our shift was fairly uneventful. As I was going to leave I grabbed my phone looking down to a text from an unsaved number 

Nice move ;) phone number on the coffee cup. 

 I smiled to myself. Even though it doesn’t say much, I felt somewhat accomplished that my subtle move went down well. I replied to him. 

I wasn’t sure if you would actually text. I’m glad you did though. Thought maybe I could take you up on that offer of hanging out sometime?  SEND. 

It’s absolutely not like me to be this forward at all! But honestly I have nothing to lose anymore. Cody is hot, he is friendly and I’d like to get to know him. Walking out to my car to head home my phone buzzes again in my hand. 

Love to hang out. Like I said, your mysterious. How about dinner tonight? 7pm @ Meatball and co. 

Wow that was quick! Meatball and co was a local Italian place that everyone loved. I quickly confirmed and then called Sarah to tell her all about my impending date. Naturally she squealed down the phone, happy that j was finally going on a date with someone. 

As I got ready for my date, just going with skinny leg jeans, a nice modest flowy top and ankle boots, I couldn’t help but think about Matthew. Would he be ok with this? Well what choice do I have really? He left me, I know it wasn’t his fault, but regardless he is gone and I can’t be alone forever! Besides, Cody is one of the good guys. I’m sure of it. Not to mention hot, so hot. I smiled to myself, running a comb through my wavy hair, making sure my make up was in place- just the natural look for me. I checked myself out one last time in the mirror and was ready to go. 

Arriving at Meatball and Co I was a little past 7, I didn’t want to be there first. I walked in and instantly saw Cody waiting at a table by the side wall. I nodded in his direction to the hostess, saying I already had a table waiting for me. Sitting down we awkwardly said hi to each other. 

“Drink?” He said as an ice breaker.

“Uh yeah, I’ll just have a coke. I don’t really drink” 

“Great, two coke please” placing the order with the waitress. 

“So have you been here before?” He asked. 

“Yeah, Sarah and I come all the time. The gnocchi is to die for! A bit of a guilty pleasure because I seriously don’t need the carbs!” 

Our conversation just flowed so naturally, but about nothing serious. We got to know each other’s hobbies, favourite foods and movies.. After eating Cody suggested we go for a walk. There’s a large park with beautiful gardens across the road so we headed there. As we walked along he grabbed my hand, my heart beating a bit faster. I think he sensed that I was getting nervous, as we approached a park bench he asked me to sit with him. 

“So tell me something Sophia. How is a beautiful, kind girl like you not snapped up already?” 

Well here goes. I might as well just tell him. “Um well I was. I was engaged and had everything in life all lined up perfectly. Then one night I had a knock at the door, the police telling me that my fiancé was in an accident and didn’t make it. That was a little over a year ago now.” I ended softly, keeping my head down as I could feel the tears brimming. 

Cody put his finger under my chin, tilting my head to him. Wiping away the single tear that fell with his thumb. He had that look of pity in his eyes, but soft and caring still. 

“I’m so sorry you had to live through that. I understand now the sad look I’ve seen in your eyes so many mornings. If you’ll let me though, I’d love to be the reason you can learn to smile again?” 

I looked up at him, looked right into those ocean blue eyes “yeah, I’d like to see where this could go. I promise I’m not broken, just a bit sad sometimes.” 

We sat there a little longer, not saying anything, not doing anything, just sitting in a comfortable silence. After a few minutes he grabbed my hand for us to keep walking.

“Come on, we should probably make a move. It’s getting late.” 

Cody walked me back to my car, before I could get in, he grabbed my hand pulling me in close to him. He looked down at me as if asking permission. I tilted my head up towards him just slightly, giving him the permission he was seeking. His lips came crashing into mine and my god it was like fireworks. I don’t think I’ve ever had a kiss like it. We moved in perfect unison, butterflies in my stomach, his right hand reaching around the back of my neck and left on my hip. The kiss lasted only a few minutes, but oh boy what a goodnight kiss that was. Resting his forehead on mine all he could say was wow. We both smiled at each other before parting ways. Me getting in my car and him watching me leave.