Strangely Normal - By Tess Oliver Page 0,68

creamy, blue fabric was covered in crumbs. I hibernated into the couch cushions, listening to the conversation and trying not to dwell on the fact that Jude obviously had no particular interest in coming home to see me.

Cole’s friend, Teresa, was one of those girls who liked to command the attention of everyone in the room and worked tirelessly at it. She was expensively dressed but in a tacky way, and aside from being pretty, it was hard to find what Cole might see in her. She’d flirted with Max all evening. Finley seemed to be regretting the whole night, but she kept her cool. I was close to giving up on Jude’s arrival, but I stayed around for Finley’s sake. She’d been so excited about the evening, but it was slowly disintegrating into a mild disaster— with the exception of the cookies, which were delicious.

Teresa was boring us with a dull monologue about a trip to the mall when the dogs jumped up and trotted to the side door of the kitchen. Jude walked in. He looked tired and dusty from a long day of construction. And my heart surged instantly. His weary green eyes flashed my way immediately. I was not imagining his reaction to my dress.

“Hey, Jude,” Teresa called enthusiastically. With the way she’d been acting, I wasn’t the least bit surprised when she hopped off the couch in her low cut tank top and short jean skirt to give Jude a hug.

He put up his hands to stop her. “You don’t want to do that. I’m covered in sweat and dirt.”

Her shoulders shrank some in disappointment.

Jude combed his fingers through his hair as he headed to the stairs. “Eden, can I see you a minute?”

I looked at Finley feeling as if I should get permission before abandoning her.

She mouthed the words hurry back to me, and I walked out to the hallway. Jude had already disappeared around the corner, and as I turned, he reached out and pulled me into his arms.

“What about the sweat and dirt?” I wiped my finger across his chin.

“Serves you right for wearing that dress.” He kissed me long and hard, and instantly, I felt like melted butter beneath his touch. His gaze went beyond hunger, and his fingers grasped my arms in a way that seemed he had no intention of ever letting me go. “Lose your buddies. I’m not sharing you with anyone tonight. I’ve been going nuts all day thinking about you.” He lifted a swollen red finger where the nail had begun to turn black. “And it’s dangerous.”

I took hold of his wrist and kissed the finger. “How’s that?”

His dark lashes lowered, shadowing his ravenous gaze. “It’s a start.”

“I can’t leave your sister. That girl Cole invited has been awful. She’s all over Max, and I think she’s doing it just to get a rise out of Finley.”

“Sounds like Teresa hasn’t changed much.” His rough finger traced along the strap of my dress. “Finley will survive. I need you more.”

And here it was, the major piece of complication I’d stuck into my life puzzle. I was here to be a companion for Finley, but I’d let Jude get into my head and my heart, and now I was being torn between responsibility and my own needs.

I placed my palm against his chest and pulled my eyes away from his.

“What’s the matter,” he asked quietly.

“Please, Jude, don’t make me choose. If things had been going better out there, I’d find a way to be alone with you. But your sister told me to hurry back. I need to get back there— for her.”

“And me?”

No one had a right to look that tired, that dirty, that hurt— and that appealing.

“Please, Jude, don’t do this.” My throat burned with the words.

His arms dropped. His disappointment was palpable as I walked away from him. I fanned my face to keep from crying. Finley looked up over the back of the couch as she heard me return.

“Is Jude coming down after he showers?” she asked.

I shrugged certain that if I spoke I might cry.

Finley knew something was wrong right away. She got up. “I need to go talk to Jude a second,” she said. “Cole, let’s move this into the theater. But no horror and no giant boob show either. Something decent.”

I stopped her as she passed me. “Don’t, Finley. Please.” My eyes watered, and I could have kicked myself for allowing it. “It’s fine and he’s tired.”

She peered up at me