Page 28 of Resisting my Roommate

I may have a few years of experience, but it’s nothing compared to people who have been doing this for decades. Nonprofit jobs are hard enough to come by as it is. But I need to remain positive. Need to remain hopeful. Otherwise, what’s the point?

“Well, I won’t keep you here any longer,” Jude says, pushing off the table. “I’m sure you want to get on the road to your next destination before it gets too late.”

“Of course.” I tip back my bottle and finish my beer.

After tossing our bottles into the recycling bin, I follow Jude through a different door, this one leading into his office. I grab my bag and wedding dress, then remember I’m wearing a different shirt.

“Do you want this back?” I ask, gesturing to my shirt.

“Keep it.” He waves a dismissive hand. “I’ve got plenty. That way, you’ll have a souvenir of your time here. Although, I doubt this is something you’ll want to remember.”

“Yesterday, not so much. But today?” I shrug, meeting his eyes. “I’d like to remember today.”

Jude’s expression softens and a hint of warmth flickers in his eyes as they meet mine. “I’d like to remember today, too.”

CHAPTER TWELVE

JUDE

“I’ll wait with you,” I announce when I step onto the sidewalk with Abbey after locking up the taproom.

The last remnants of sunlight glow on the horizon, painting the sky a beautiful mixture of pinks, blues, and purples. The town is already closing up, despite it not yet being eight o’clock. Most storefronts are dark, except for the nearby diner and pizza parlor, both of which will soon close, as well.

When I moved back here after dropping out of college, I worried I’d made a mistake. Worried I’d miss the fast-paced atmosphere of LA. Now, I can’t imagine living anywhere else. While I don’t love everything about living in a small town, especially the rumors and gossip, I like the slower pace of life here.

“Wait with me?” Abbey gives me a quizzical look. “What do you?—”

“You’re going to order an Uber, right?”

“I, uh… Right.”

I study her closely as she rummages through her bag. A nagging feeling forms in my gut that she wasn’t completely honest with me earlier when she said she worked everything out. And that feeling gets even stronger when I steal a glimpse of herphone screen as she pulls it out of her bag — a text message prominent from someone named Graham.

Graham:

I’m sorry if I upset you earlier when I said I couldn’t help, but it’s really for the best if you land on your own two feet instead of depending on someone else.

Who the fuck is Graham? And why does it look like Abbey’s about to scream in response to his message?

“Is everything okay?” I ask, closing the distance between us. As I do, the breeze kicks up her floral scent, and I draw in a deep breath, savoring her sweet fragrance.

“Of course.” She grits a smile, not looking me directly in the eye. “Just give me a sec to order an Uber.” She moves away from me, as if purposefully not wanting me to see her screen. Her brows pull together, uncertainty flashing in her expression.

Which only increases my suspicion, my protective instincts kicking in.

“Abbey?”

She darts her head up. “Yeah?”

“Youdohave somewhere to stay tonight, right?” I ask firmly, planting my feet wide apart. “And a way to get there?”

“I, uh…” She chews on her bottom lip to hide the subtle tremble.

“When you came to say goodbye earlier, where were you planning to go?” I ask firmly.

She parts her lips, but before she can answer, I interrupt, “And don’t lie. I’ll know.”

“How? You barely know me.”

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