Page 32 of Lies Like Love

She smirks. “I’m aware.”

The two of them hold the standoff, and I’m not sure who I feel sorry for. Echo, for having to put up with the guys in the shop. Or the guys, in pain with every burst of Echo’s energy.

“Don’t you have a client?” Jude faces off with Echo.

“He’s taking ten to smoke.” She blows a bubble and pops it at him. “And you aren’t my boss, so why do you care?”

“I don’t.”

Echo bites her lip and ticks up an eyebrow in amusement like his tone is exactly what she wanted from him. Just because she’s sweet doesn’t mean her sugary personality doesn’t also hide the claws beneath.

I turn toward Echo, trying to ignore Jude. If he’s going to pretend I don’t exist, then I can do the same. I don’t come to the shop to reconnect or make nice with him. This is business. End of story.

“I really do have to go, sorry. I promised Maren I’d go bikini shopping with her this afternoon anyway, so I need to get home.”

“Why?” Jude focuses his attention on me for the first time since turning the corner.

“On that note…” Echo steps back, smiling and looking between us. “I think my client is ready, so I’ll catch you later Fel.”

She disappears down the hall, laughing so sweetly it’s devious.

Rolling my shoulders back, I clutch my jewelry case tighter and dare to face Jude, who’s stopped directly behind me, flooding my nose with his wintery cool cologne.

I hold my breath and try not to smell him. I try not to notice how his dark jeans hug his thighs. Or how the thin, pale gray fabric of his T-shirt shows off every ripple of his shoulders and chest. I try not to admit to myself how one second in his presence disarms me just as much now as it did back then.

Instead, I grip the hate bubble in my core and hold onto it as tight as I can, embracing the fuel that ignites the wall of fire between us.

“Why are you going bikini shopping?”

As much as he doesn’t deserve my explanations, the only way out is through with him. “Maren wants something new to wear tonight.”

“But you won’t be there.”

It’s not a question, and I can’t help narrowing my gaze at the assumption. “Not that it’s any of your business, but no, I won’t.”

His posture relaxes, but he doesn’t walk away.

“Is that all?”

He tucks his hands in his pockets and his jaw ticks. “Yes.”

“Wonderful.” I start to turn, but his hand finds my arm, stopping me.

“What’s your problem?”

My problem?

I spin to face him so fast, I almost drop my jewelry. But like he’s watching every movement, Jude catches it.

“What’s my problem?” I return his question with a laugh, as I grab my jewelry case from his hands. “I’ll tell you what it is. You need to decide what you’re doing, Jude. Either ignore me and let me go about my business, or act like a decent human being and pretend we can at least make this civil. But don’t think you can just pop in and demand things whenever you feel like it.”

“That’s not how it works between us, and you know it.” Jude steps closer.

How is there still a gap to close? His nearness forces my chin up, and I’m met with his green eyes. His pupils drain the brightness from them.

“What do you want from me?”

Jude’s question catches me off guard. I’m not sure why he cares or how to answer.

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