Page 41 of Crossroads of Innocence
“What things?”
“Things I can’t talk about. Listen, I appreciate the heads up about Mama and the fact you’re looking out for her. But I’ve got to go.”
“Okay, but I don’t want to only look out for your mama. I’m here for you, too.”
Tension built in his head. He hated when Summer tried to make more of their relationship than was there. He didn’t want to be a dick, but he also didn’t want to lead her on. “You’re a good friend. Talk later.”
Disconnecting, he stood and blew out a long breath before dialing his mom. The line rang until voicemail picked up. He left a quick message, ended the call, and left the bathroom. His morning plans had been interrupted, but maybe he could pick up where he’d left off. Warm, snuggled in bed, and ready to take things to the next level.
But the bed was empty, the sheets a rumpled mess and the covers on the floor. “Jude?”
The banging of a cabinet door made him wince.
Macey’s head whipped up from her spot on the couch.
“Is there food in here?” Jude asked, her voice clipped and tight. “I’m starving and all I can find is instant coffee and boxed macaroni and cheese.”
Wade snorted out a laugh.
Jude whirled around to face him, a tin of coffee in her hand. Her blond hair was a tousled mess and the bruise around her eye had faded. But it was her deep frown that made his stomach muscles clench. “What’s so funny?”
“Sorry,” he said. “Brooke probably didn’t have a chance to stock the kitchen for us since our visit was last-minute, but it’s a well-known secret she doesn’t usually put much in the rooms. She wants the guests to mingle, not shut themselves off in their own rooms. Hunger’s a good motivator to get them up to the lodge.”
She gave him her back and tossed the tin on the counter. “That’s not the only motivator to get out of this room,” she said, half under her breath.
“Excuse me?” He couldn’t have heard her right. Minutes before she’d been wrapped around him in the cotton sheets. Now venom shook her words. Tension made her body straight and rigid as a board.
“Nothing. Just hungry.” She spun around to face him again. “Where do we go for breakfast?”
He wanted to close the space between them. Erase the unease and twinge of fear from her eyes. But his feet stayed planted, his mind in overdrive as he fumbled with his thoughts. “Breakfast’s served in the dining room, or we can head to the kitchen. Chet will be in there cookin’ and will make whatever you want.”
“Okay. I’ll throw on some clothes and run a brush through my hair.” Dropping her chin, she tried to move past him.
He caught hold of her wrist, halting her progress. Forcing her to look at him. “Are you all right?”
“I’m fine.”
He let her pass, hating the weird energy back between them. He didn’t know much about women, but he knew one thing. When she said she was fine, she was anything but.
* * *
The smellof salty goodness and a desperate need for some space from Wade quickened Jude’s pace toward the kitchen. Breakfast wouldn’t be served in the dining room for another thirty minutes, and she didn’t have any desire to be in a room full of strangers anyway. She’d much prefer to grab some food from Chet then find a space to sit and shovel through the avalanche of emotions weighing her down.
She’d been hasty last night. Falling into bed with Wade had seemed like the best and easiest decision she could ever make at the time. But seeing another woman’s name on his phone so early in the morning—followed by his secretive nature when he answered—told her she’d acted foolishly. Was it the blond from the bar? The one who’d shown up at Chet’s? Jealousy scalded her veins, and she fisted her hands at her sides.
It didn’t matter. Wade wasn’t her boyfriend. He was a grown ass man who could do what he wanted, when he wanted, with whoever he wanted. And it was her own stupid pride that caused this boulder in the pit of her stomach. Nothing more.
Wade touched the small of her back and gestured toward a wide doorway.
She hurried ahead, avoiding his touch and following her nose into the kitchen. Black and white tile covered the floor. Dark mahogany cabinets lined the walls, interrupted by industrial grade stainless steel appliances, and wooden beams crisscrossed the ceiling, making square indents. A large island dominated the center of the room, filled with platters of pastries and bowls of breakfast meats.
“Mornin’,” Chet said, turning to offer a quick smile before pulling a tray of something from the oven.
Wade sniffed then groaned. “You made cinnamon rolls?”
A tall, willowy woman with long auburn hair in a low ponytail wiped her hands on the apron tied around her slim waist. “You’re not the only one surprised he’s making them on a Monday. Chet’s a creature of habit, and you must be the reason that habit was changed. I’m Zoe, Cruz’s girlfriend.” She hurried to Jude and pulled her in for a quick hug. “So nice to meet you.”
A few days ago, being hugged by a stranger would have raised Jude’s hackles, but she couldn’t resist the sincerity dripping from everyone she’d met since being back in town. “I’m Jude. Nice to meet you, too.”
