Page 94 of Someone Just Like You

Yes. Jude loved me and I loved him—for the kind, the wicked, and everything in between.

Much later, I rested my head on Jude’s chest. “How did you find this place anyway? It must have cost you a fortune.”

He played with my hair. “Working in the restaurant industry has its benefits. One of the managers rents it out, but it was unoccupied this weekend, and it was his way of thanking me for taking on so many extra shifts.”

“Nice. This is way better than babysitting twin toddlers.” My mind drifted to my best friend. At some point—meaning after the weekend—I’d ask how Jude and Jerry had suckered her into this plan. Driving to and from Connecticut went above the call of best-friend duty. I sent her a silent thank-you, hoping she’d receive the message by mental telepathy. Returning my focus to Jude, I told him about my change of heart over Rosaria’s job offer with Ceiling Crashers.

His mouth hung open. “Way to bury the lede.” But then his face changed and there it was: the expression of pure, unadulterated surprise and delight I knew would be there.I knew it.

“We had more pressing matters to attend to, like kissing and making up.”

“I’d say we did a lot more than kiss.” He pressed his lips to my wrist.

“You were right. When the plan stands in the way of true happiness, you have to chuck it. I’ll need to put my apartment on the market and find a more affordable place to live, but I’ll worry about that tomorrow.” I kissedhiswrist. “Or the next day.”

Jude let out a breath. “I know I gave you a lot of shit for your fucking plans.” He winced. “I was right inyourcase. But you were right in mine. Plans aren’t always a bad idea.”

“Six words I never thought would come out of your mouth in that particular order.” I smirked. “I didn’t want to say anything before, but this cabin took some…ahem, planning. You said it yourself.”

He grinned, but then turned serious. “I’ve had a lot of time to think…”

I glared at him. If I never heard the phrase “think about it” again, it wouldn’t be long enough.

His lips quirked. “Ponder…and my restaurant isn’t going to open all by itself. I think I was afraid to put real effort into it in case I failed, but I read through your binder of articles.”

I slapped a hand to my mouth. “You did?”

He tickled my arm. “Yes. It’s here in case you want to read it together in bed later.”

“Be still my heart!”

He turned on his side and rested his head on his forearm.

My gaze drifted to his arm. Lucky head.

“I’ve already looked into business classes and started scoping out potential partners and investors. I’m thinking it won’t be in Manhattan, probably, because who can afford that, but maybe in the suburbs or New Jersey.”

If I loved this man any harder, I’d need another heart to keep it from leaking out of me. “Wherever it is…wheneverit is…I’ll be by your side as you make your dream a reality. And you’ll be at my side to do the same for me.”

He stroked my neck. “I can agree to that.”

“We agree on something again! I also promise to fly my mean flag only with you.”

His face shined. “And I promise always to be just slightly meaner than you.”

“Of course you do.”

I kissed his shoulder to seal the deal and sighed in contentment. It was romance Jude and Molly style, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Epilogue

Eight Years Later

Ilurched as a surge of cold liquid splashed me in the chest. “Jude!”

He laughed, a deflated red balloon dangling from one of his fingers. “Relax, Mole. It’s just water.”

I shook my head at him in a combination of adoration and exasperation. “Don’t you think you enjoy water balloon fights a little too much for a man pushing thirty-five?”

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