Page 107 of The Dating Pact

“Whichever one is the chef.”

“Collin. Who the hell knows with that guy? You two would get along great.”

Nate wagged his cell. “You think he’d mind me contacting him about possibly working together?”

Liam shrugged and pulled out his cell phone, texting Nate his brother’s contact. “What are you planning?”

Nate explained his possible plans for a wine bar and bistro, but my palm itched with the desire to take out my cell phone to call Brooke. I loved hanging out with my buddies, but I loved hearing my girl’s voice even more.

As soon as I closed my car door at the end of the night, I called her, but she didn’t answer. Probably already asleep. I left her a voice mail. “I’m just calling to say goodnight and I love you. I hate not being able to see you, but you giving me this time to get everything sorted with the kids proves that you were meant for me. You’re it for me, Brooke Fraser, and when the time is right, I’d like to make it permanent. So, thank you for allowing me to figure it out now, so that we can be happy later. We will be happy later. I promise you that.”

TWENTY-NINE

BROOKE

The early morning air was crisp and cool as I set up my produce stand at the farmers market. I tried to keep my movements brisk and efficient to stay warm in the chill air. As much as I loved autumn in Pennsylvania, those first few weeks could be brutal with the change in temperature.

I had just finished arranging the last basket of zucchini when a familiar voice made me freeze.

“Daddy, can I get a cupcake?”

My heart stuttered in my chest. I looked up to see Jude approaching my stand, flanked by Sebastian and Amelia. My gaze drank in the sight of him hungrily after so many weeks apart. He appeared…not good, if I was being honest. Tired and stressed, with his brow furrowed and shoulders slumped.

But then his eyes met mine, and I felt that familiar jolt low in my belly. The same longing and love I’d felt for him since the beginning. Clearly, the separation had been affecting him as deeply as it had me.

Sure, we’d talked every day, if not multiple times a day through texts and phone calls, but this last month had been the longest Jude and I had gone without seeing each other in…well, since Mira had been alive. We’d been mere friends then, acquaintances who chatted when we saw each other. Since then, we’d grown, become woven so deeply into the fabric of each other’s lives there was no way we could unravel it.

I didn’t want to unravel it.

I knew he didn’t either.

Especially after that voice mail he left me last night.

I forced myself to turn away from the sight of Jude and his kids talking to someone two tables down before I did something reckless, like vault over my veggies to throw myself at him. Instead, I busied myself with getting ready. People were already strolling through the tents, and if it weren’t for Nicole, I’d be way late.

I’d been feeling congested the last few days, so I’d taken some nighttime cold medicine last night and was out like a light. Which meant I’d missed Jude’s call and my alarm this morning.

Although the feel of a hand on my back now was its own wake-up call. A straight shot of adrenaline. I recognized the warmth and feel of Jude before I even turned around.

He stood in front of me, his hand extended with a cup of coffee and a cupcake. “I got your usual order from Diane, plus a cupcake from that new stand.”

I accepted them reflexively. “I didn’t know you’d be here today.”

He sipped his own coffee. “There’re only a few more weeks left,” he said, referring to how the farmers market closed for the winter. “And I wanted to make sure my parents knew what they were doing, so we stopped here for breakfast before we go to our appointment.”

“Brooke!” Amelia waved at me, icing all over her mouth and fingers.

I bent to her. “Hey, girlfriend. You sure demolished your cupcake fast.”

“You gonna eat yours?”

“Why? You think I’m going to give you mine?”

She batted her eyelashes at me.

“You’re cute, but not that cute.”

I popped the plastic lid and lifted the cupcake to peel the wrapper. After taking a bite, I held it out for Amelia to do the same. She bit into it like a lion attacking a gazelle, and I snorted a laugh. “You’re an animal.”

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