Page 109 of When the Stars Fall
“Funny,” I said as she slipped her phone back into her pocket and laughed.
“I call it like I see it. Fingers crossed he brought donuts today.”
It had been five days since I’d gone over to Brody’s to drop off Noah’s special blanket that he claimed he couldn’t sleep without. Five days since Jude and Brody fought. Five days since I lost my mind when I couldn’t find Noah. And every morning since then Jude had come bearing gifts. Coffee and donuts. The cinnamon rolls I loved from the bakery. There was always a little note in the bag. They reminded me of the corny notes he used to leave in my locker in high school.
You look beautiful today.
I love your smile.
You’re sweeter than sugar donuts.
But we weren’t in high school anymore, and we had to stop acting like we were. Today I was going to ignore him. Keep working on my floral arrangements and stay focused on the work at hand. We were swamped because, after all, it was wedding season. So I’d just pretend he wasn’t even there. No matter how adorable he acted or how sexy he looked in his fitted T-shirts and faded denim that hung low on his narrow hips, I wouldn’t even glance his way. Nope. I wouldn’t even notice the way he raked his hand through his tousled, messy hair or the way he bit his bottom lip.
I was Teflon and his charms would bounce right off me. Ping. Ping. Ping.
“Mommy!”
My head swiveled to the doorway as Noah dashed across the studio and skidded to a halt in front of me. Setting down the bridal bouquet I was working on, I wiped my hands on my shorts and pulled him toward me for a hug, my gaze narrowed on Jude as he set cardboard cups of coffee and a pie on the counter. Not just a couple slices. An entire pie. The nerve of this man.
Then he smiled and I was stunned into silence, the words of rebuke dying on my lips. It was the first genuine smile I’d seen in so long. Jude had the most beautiful smile. When he smiled, the dimples appeared in his cheeks, and transformed his entire face.
Oh Jude, you’re back, I thought. I didn’t know it was possible. I didn’t think he’d ever come back.
“Guess what?” Noah tugged my hand to get my attention.
I dragged my gaze away from Jude and focused on Noah. “What?”
“We’re going on a bear hunt.” His eyes lit up.
“A bear hunt?”
Jude chuckled and my eyes narrowed on him again.
He was using my son now? How low could he sink? Brody usually had Noah on Saturdays but since he was on the road, I’d dropped Noah off at Kate’s early this morning. She’d insisted. Had even called me a few days ago to make sure I would. When I’d protested that it was too much for her with Patrick still in the hospital and due to come home on Monday, she’d said, “Nonsense. I love having him.”
“Jude. Can I talk to you for a minute?” It took every ounce of my self-restraint to keep my voice calm and measured. I was trying to be a responsible adult and set a good example for my son. Bad enough he’d witnessed his father and uncle beating the crap out of each other, he didn’t need to see his mother screaming like a banshee. “Privately.”
“I’d love to talk to you. Privately.” His voice was low and intimate, making it sound like I’d asked for something else.
My hands clenched into fists and he chuckled under his breath, clearly enjoying this exchange.
“Hey Noah. Come tell me what you’ve been up to,” Christy said, and I threw her a grateful smile. “Actually, let’s grab some forks and dig into that pie.”
“Pie! Yes!”
I sighed. Noah was so easily swayed. Bribe him with pie and a bear hunt and he’d follow you to the ends of the earth.
I left them in the studio and walked outside with Jude. The air was heavy, the clouds skittering across the gray sky carrying the promise of rain.
Stopping on the driver’s side of his truck where we couldn’t be seen from the studio, I planted my hands on my hips and squared off with him. “What do you think you’re doing?”
“Spending the day with Noah. My mom went to the hospital to visit my dad. Said she has a lot of errands to run after that. So I’m just helping her out.” He grinned, the picture of innocence. “It’s the least I can do.”
Even Kate was conspiring against me. “The least you can do? Seriously? You didn’t even ask me if it’s okay.”
“I texted you. You never answered.” He shrugged and leaned against the side of his truck, cool as you like, ankles and arms crossed. I wanted to punch him. Or kiss him. No, I wanted no such thing.
“You texted me?” I slid my phone out of my pocket and sure enough, there was a text from an unknown number. I didn’t even have his new cell phone number. How pathetic was that?
