Page 136 of Can't Get Over You
“It hasn’t even been three weeks. What’s the rush?”
“When you know, you know.”
Boone plucked the ring out of its nest. “So, what, you just walked into the store and bought it?”
“I actually bought it a few days ago.” He’d liked the setting because the center stone represented them, and the smaller diamonds surrounding it symbolized the children they’d have. “But I made a few changes. I think she’ll like the rose gold, and I got a different diamond.”
“A pink one?” Boone asked.
Jude smiled. “She’s a pink girl.” Plus, they were rare, and he wanted her to always wear a reminder of how special she was.
“What the hell?” his dad muttered from the kitchen. A moment later, he strode into the living room with a serious expression and looked right at Jude. “My office. Now.”
As he got up and followed his dad, he called out to his brothers. “Watch Cody for me?” Once inside the library-like room with floor-to-ceiling bookcases and a huge desk, he closed the door behind him. “What’s up?”
“Finlay wants to sell her house.” His dad handed over his phone.
Finlay: Thank you so much for your kindness and generosity, but I have decided to put my house on the market.
What the fuck? This can’t be right.He continued reading.
Finlay: Given the location, I’m sure to get a buyer, so I’m going to begin the process of moving out. You’ve been so incredibly kind and generous, and I appreciate everything you’ve done, but I’m going to return all the furniture you bought. I’ve rented a truck and hired a few guys to load it.
“I’ve been gone six hours. When did all this happen?” Had she been planning it? Why the hell hadn’t she discussed it with him?
Finlay: I know this is sudden, and I don’t want to inconvenience you, so I can rent a storage unit. You let me know where to deliver everything.
Jude had to read the text twice to make sure he understood. “This makes no sense.” Tossing the phone to his dad, he blew out of the room and beelined to the front door. “Take care of Cody.” It slammed behind him.
He fired up the truck and backed out, kicking out snow and gravel.
And then, he gunned it back to town.
The entire drive, he replayed the last twenty-four hours. Last night, they’d made love twice, and he’d said he loved her. This morning, he’d awakened to a string of text messages from his family.
Wyatt: We’re outside right now. Let’s get Cody up on a board.
Boone: Wake up, asshole! The pow is epic!
But scrolling through a timeline wouldn’t bring clarity because her behaviordidmake sense. He’d been expecting this.She can’t go from a life with Matt straight into a life with me.
All the pampering in the world couldn’t help her end one relationship before starting another.
Even as he acknowledged the truth, he couldn’t help wondering if he’d gotten it wrong.Should I have taken her with me?Was it the spa day that set her off?
Ava loved that kind of thing. That wasn’t a bad gift, was it?
Acts of service, quality time, and physical touch.
Shit. Fuck.He had gotten it wrong. He’d given her a gift instead of spending quality time with her.
All right, I can fix it.
Killing the engine, he jogged to the front door and let himself inside. Immediately, he slammed into a stack of boxes. Trash bags heavy with clothes and toys filled the foyer.
“Finlay,” he hollered, racing to the kitchen. Out of the corner of his eye, he caught a flash of green. The money he’d left her sat untouched on the dining room table.
Yeah, he’d fucked up big time with that one.
