Page 63 of Wanted

“You could come visit.”

Deep breathing through my nose doesn’t chase away the hollow feeling in my chest or the dew clinging to my lash line. “I’ll see what I can do.”

The lie is easy when I know she won’t remember this conversation in a few hours.

“I’ve got to get going. Tell Dad I say hi. I’ll call you soon.”

Mom ends the call.

As I pull the blank screen away from my face, the tension bleeds from my shoulders. My lungs expand with a deep breath for the first time since I picked up the phone.

It’s done. It’s over.

That is until the next time I feel the pull to call. Because no matter how badly they’ve treated me, I can’t seem to fully let them go.

After trading the phone for the sketchbook on the nightstand, I set out in search of Jude. Ashe follows me out of my bedroom and down the stairs. I run my fingers over her soft fur as we descend, and she takes off after the rest of the pack.

“What day?” Jude’s deep voice sounds from the kitchen. “Uh-huh.”

Twilight paints the horizon in purples and grays out the window over the sink. Jude clocks me the second I step around the corner and yanks a stool out from the island. While holding the phone to his ear with one hand, he points at the vacant seat with the other.

“Sit,” he mouths.

I follow his command.

He lingers at my back as he speaks into the phone. The heat of his chest seeps into my thin cotton tee shirt, chasing away the remaining chill from my own phone call. A strong urge to lean back and let him envelop me plagues my thoughts. His sturdiness gives me a comfort I’m unaccustomed to.

“Completely blacklisted. Make sure Hunter knows. Yep. I’m not looking to make it easy on him.”

The room falls silent again while Jude listens to whoever is on the line. He moves across the room, and I instantly miss his warmth.

He fiddles around at the stove. A blast of heat moves across the kitchen as he opens and closes the oven door. The scent of something sweet and sugary wafts closer.

“Just glad to hear he’s gone. Thanks. Yeah. Let me know if he comes back. Bye, Jack.”

Jude’s cell lands on the island with a clatter. He turns around with an oven mitt on one hand, the oversized thumb wrapped around the edge of a cookie sheet.

Am I dreaming?

The melted chocolate morsels make my mouth water as I watch Jude carry what appears to be a tray of chocolate chip cookies closer.

My stunned silence doesn’t stop him from his explanation.

“Thought we could use some dessert today.”

I bite the corner of my lip. Jude doesn’t miss the motion as he drops his stare to my mouth. His heated eyes narrow and his nostrils flare. I can’t help but wonder if he’s thinking about the kiss that we’re yet to talk about.

With his attention on my lips, it’s the only thing on my mind.

I know he liked it. The passion between us was undeniable. The way he dragged me closer wasn’t just for show. If he wasn’t interested, he could have held still while I pressed my lips to his, but he really sold it. Sold it so much I’m convinced it might have meant something more between us.

But we haven’t spoken a word about it.

Not a can’t wait to kiss you again.

Not a we should talk about that kiss.

Not a don’t ever preposition me with something so silly again.

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