Page 66 of Can't Get Over You
“He raided housekeeping’s utility cart. Yes, that’s right. He stuffed complimentary soap and shampoo into his pants. I mean, he would’ve stolen the false teeth out of an old man’s water glass if he’d found them just sitting there.”
A knock on the door wiped the smile right off her face. Terror sliced through her. “They’re here.”
“Who’s there?” Willa asked.
“The police. I don’t know. Maybe Family Services.”
“So Family Services is showing up at the inn to cuff you and do a cavity search? Is that how it works now?”
“Okay, but who else would it be?”
“In an inn? How about housekeeping?”
Reality broke through. “You’re right. But just in case itisthe police, I’ll come clean. I’ll tell them I acted impulsively because it looked like the judge wasn’t going to grant Jude custody, and they have to know Jude’s a good man, and there’s no one better to take care of Cody than him.”
“I’ll make you a deal. If it’s the police, I’ll walk naked through Times Square with a sign around my neck that says,Spank me.”
“This conversation is being recorded for quality assurance purposes and to hold you to your promises,” Finlay said on her way to the door. “Stay on the line with me.”
“Switch the call to FaceTime so I can watch them drop you to the ground and handcuff you.”
“That’s not funny.” Of course she trusted her friend, but she was a hot mess. It was enough that she’d blown up her life and was going to lose her house, but now, she might’ve compromised Cody’s safety.
She peered through the peephole to find a broad chest covered in a white dress shirt, and when she opened the door, she found it wasn’t the police at all. It was a tall, broad-shouldered man with green eyes and a mouth that unleashed her deepest, darkest desires. “Jude?” Without his beard, boots, and worn jeans, she almost didn’t recognize him. “What’re you doing here?”
“Figured you’d be spiraling.”
“What? No.” She sputtered. “That’s not…” She let out a huff and brought the phone back to her ear. “It’s not the police.”
“No shit.” And then, Willa shouted, “She’s spiraling,” making Jude chuckle.
“You two suck,” Finlay said.
“But you love me anyway,” her friend said. “Let me know what happens.”
“I will. Thank you.” After they disconnected, Finlay stood aside to let him in but couldn’t help checking the hallway.
“Coast clear?” Jude asked.
She closed the door and bolted it. “Yes. And I don’t know what led you to believe I wasn’t handling the situation well. I was perfectly composed in the courtroom.”
“Until you ran out of the building like your ass was on fire.”
She clasped her hands together. “Well, Jude. I might’ve ruined everything for you. What was I thinking, announcing an engagement…” She held up her finger. “While wearing Matt’s ring? But howdarehe reduce you to a single bartender?—”
“That’s what I am.”
“No, you’re not. You’re so much more.”
“Well.” Pink tinged his cheeks. “It all worked out.”
“We don’t really know that yet.” There was one part that could blow the whole deception wide open. “Not only aren’t we engaged, but I might not even have a house.”
“Yeah, that’s what I came to talk to you about.”
“The house?”
“I don’t know how it works—whether Family Services will check on me and Cody—but since I have a history with this judge?—”
