Keys To Her Heart (Brookfield) by Lacey Wolfe

relationship with her ex. What was holding her back?
    He licked his lips and rubbed his chin before glancing at his watch. She was five minutes late. Now his nerves were beginning to get the best of him. Women were always late, though. It was in their handbook, or something, to make a man wait on them.
    Finally, her car appeared. He was definitely relieved not to be stood up. Straightening his shirt, he walked over to her car and opened the door. She smiled up at him. Her hair was up in a ponytail, but a few lose strands outlined her beautiful face.
    “I was worried you might not show.”
    She sucked in her bottom lip then replied, “That wouldn’t have been kind.”
    “Don’t worry, I don’t have some romantic lunch planned. Just lunch then bowling.” That would keep things friendly.
    “Bowling?” She laughed. “It’s been a long time. You know, I used to be on a league when I was in high school.”
    “Oh yeah?” She was going to whoop his ass at this game.
    “Yup. It was fun. It’s where I met my ex.” She put the strap of her purse over her shoulder. “I guess I shouldn’t talk about my ex, huh?”
    “It’s fine.” Though it made him feel jealous. “We’re friends. You can talk about whatever you want.”
    “You’re something else, Cody.” She brushed past him toward his truck, and he snuck a peak at her ass. Thoughts of spanking her rounded butt entered his mind. That certainly was not a friendly thought.
    Cody had to figure out how to have lunch with her then go bowling, all while thinking of her as nothing more than friend. Yeah, that was not going to happen. He opened the passenger door and she tossed a flirty smile his way. She had no idea what she did to his heart. He was already falling for her, which wasn’t smart at all.
    After closing her door, he went around to his side and climbed in.
    “Where’s lunch?” she asked.
    “The Swift Water Café.” He tried to look serious.
    “You’re kidding?” She raised an eyebrow.
    “No.” He shook his head, suppressing the smirk as he tried to look crestfallen.
    “Well, okay.”
    Cody laughed. “Kidding. I’m sure that’s the last place you want to eat.” He put the keys in the ignition and started up the truck. “There’s a sandwich shop by my sister’s bookstore. It’s really good.”
    Her tongue moistened her lips as she shook her head with a smile. “Anything’s better than going to my place of work on my day off.”
    He knew the feeling.
    * * * *
    Lily slid on the rental shoes at the bowling ally. Ick, she hated these things. There was no telling how many people had worn them and if they’d ever been cleaned. With her luck, the person before her had some foot fungus infection, and by tonight her toes would burn. However, it wasn’t like she knew they were going bowling, so bringing her own set of shoes hadn’t been an option.
    She glanced over at Cody and his lime green and fluorescent orange shoes they’d given him. They didn’t match his dark jeans and grey t-shirt he wore. But man, he sure looked sexy. The sleeves of his shirt hugged his biceps. He did more than run that was for sure. Being an officer, he had to stay fit. Or so she assumed—she’s seen fat cops in the past.
    “You ready for me to kick your ass?” She stood, straightening her shirt.
    He grinned, letting his teeth slightly peek through his lips. “You never know, I might kick your ass.”
    Oh, she hoped he’d do something other than kick it. Squeeze it. Pinch it. Pat it. Even look at it.
    This is why it was a bad idea to even try this friend thing. There was no way she could be his friend. She’d much rather shove him down on the bench, climb on top of him, and play with a different set of balls.
    God, snap out of it. This was crazy thinking. Clearing her throat, she walked over to examine the row of bowling balls. She picked up several, putting her fingers in the holes, until finally finding the right one. Her mind couldn’t help wandering