Page 32 of A Recipe Called Home

“I shouldn’t have been jealous that he wanted you there this week. I’m sorry for that. I could blame it on exhaustion, but it was only insecurity.” Becca angled her shoulders to face Jules. “It’s not easy, you know, keeping it a secret. But honestly, I thought maybe you had already suspected.”

“That you were sleeping with the secretary?” Jules blurted. “No, I had not thought that. But looking back, I guess there were signs.”

Becca recoiled at her bluntness, looking over her shoulders to ensure no one had overheard her.

“We’re not just sleeping together. That makes it sound dirty and scandalous. We have plans to be together publicly soon.”

“Does he know you are planning to leave the department and start your firm?”

Jules wasn’t interested in hearing any justification for their affair, but a part of her felt sorry for Becca. She was clearly being manipulated.

“Yes, he’s helping me finance it and will join as part owner after he finishes his appointment.”

“Why did you tell me he didn’t know, then?”

“Because of the optics. We can’t have people knowing before we go public with our relationship. And that won’t happen until he leaves his wife, after he’s no longer holding a Cabinet position." Her voice was barely a whisper.

“Sounds pretty scandalous to me. And risky.”

Out of the periphery of her vision, Jules saw someone squeeze between the chairs beside her to order a drink.

“We have it all planned out in an iron-clad contract. You don’t need to worry. But I will answer any questions you have. I still want you to join the firm, Jules,” Becca said, with a pleading look.

At the sound of her name, Jules felt a hand grab her shoulder.

“Jules? I thought it might be you,” she heard someone say behind her. She turned and was shocked to see Luke towering over the bar.

“Luke, so nice to see you,” Becca purred before Jules could react. Luke lifted his gaze from Jules.

“Oh hi, Becca. Nice to see you as well.”

“I would introduce you to my colleague, Jules, but it seems you already know each other?”

Just then, Jules’ voice caught up with her. “Yes, we used to be friends.”

“We were more than friends, Jules. We were engaged a few years ago,” Luke added, tilting his head down at Jules with a mischievous smirk. Oh, how she remembered that look. It made her stomach go sour. It was the same look he gave her when they first met, except then she didn’t know any better. Now it only reminded her of his fake charisma.

Becca’s lips parted in surprise.

“It didn’t work out in the end, though,” he added, eyes locked on Jules.

She took in his designer suit and Cartier watch. Luke had always dressed well, but he seemed louder about it now, more brash in his ostentatiousness. He ran a hand through his perfectly coifed dirty blonde hair and asked what she was doing here.

“Just here to meet Becca for a quick drink before calling it a night.”

“Right…you’re a new member,” he said to Becca.

“Joined a few weeks ago and enjoying it so far,” she responded, trying to keep his attention.

Luke worked in venture capital, not that Jules understood what he did in that industry. He ran with an exclusive crowd in D.C. and frequently traveled for business to California and abroad. Jules wasn’t surprised that Becca knew him.

“You’re a part owner, correct?” she asked.

Luke nodded, one hand in his pocket as he sipped his whiskey.

“Do you mind if I steal Jules away for a moment? I’d like to give her a tour of the place and catch up,” he asked, looking back at Jules.

“Oh, s—sure,” Becca stammered.

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