now he was here and my body responded in ways it hadn’t in longer than I could remember.
But then I did remember. I pulled away, my chest heaving, and took a few deep breaths. He wasn’t the oxygen I needed to breathe. Not anymore.
“Why are you doing this to me?”
He pushed his hand through his hair. “How can I not? Do you know how hard it is to be this close to you... to inhale the sweet, delicious scent of you... and not touch you?”
I did know because it was the same for me but I didn’t want it to be. I stuffed my hands in my back pockets and took a step back, reminding myself the reason we were standing out here hidden from view. Noah.
I shook my head to clear it. “Jude... you can’t use my son...”
“I’m not using Noah. I want to get to know him. I want to be a part of his life.”
“A part of his life?” I let out an incredulous laugh. Jude was unbelievable. Maybe Brody was right. Jude was used to getting whatever he wanted and now he’d decided that he wanted to be a part of Noah’s life, so of course we should all go along with it. “And how exactly do you think that’s going to work?”
“I have no idea what part I’ll play in his life but I’m still his uncle.” He winced at the word. “I’m still family. And I…” He looked over my shoulder. “I love kids and he’s a great kid. I’d never do anything to hurt him. I won’t take my eyes off him.” As if Noah’s physical safety was the only thing in danger. “I promise you that I won’t let anything happen to him.”
I let out a breath. “Your promises used to mean a lot to me. You always kept your promises. Until you didn’t.”
Even though I knew my words hurt him, he couldn’t deny it. He didn’t even try. He opened his mouth to speak but closed it again as a car pulled in next to his truck. Tori, our part-time employee, stepped out of it, her eyes wide as she stared at the man standing across from me.
She was young and blonde and pretty and I watched Jude’s face for a reaction but he barely looked at her. For all the crap we’d gone through and all our years of separation while he was in the Marines, I knew he’d never cheated on me. He’d always been loyal. He’d never given me cause to worry or feel insecure that he’d rather be with someone else.
“Hey Lila.” She gave me a bright smile and I made the introductions. Jude scowled when I introduced him as Brody’s cousin. What else could I say? Tori knew nothing about Jude.
When she went inside, he said the words I suspected he’d been meaning to say before we were interrupted. “Just give me another chance to prove myself. That’s all I’m asking.”
I nearly laughed. That was asking a lot. But I found myself nodding in agreement. “Guard him with your life. If anything...” I looked away then back at him so he would know where I stood. “Noah is the most important person in my life.”
I couldn’t stress that enough, and I needed him to hear it and understand it.
“I know he is,” he said quietly, and I could hear the acceptance in his tone. My heart no longer beat just for him.
He smiled but it wasn’t the same smile as earlier. It was sadder and infinitely more beautiful.
“Can we go now?” Noah approached the two of us but looked up at Jude.
Jude put his hand on Noah’s shoulder. It was such a paternal gesture. How would Brody feel if he knew Jude was spending the day with his son?
After I said my goodbyes and watched Jude’s truck pull out onto the highway, I walked back inside. Christy raised her brows but didn’t say anything in front of Tori. She’d only started working for us a few months ago and knew nothing about Jude. I could see she was curious but it wasn’t something I planned to share with her.
How could I even begin to explain what Jude meant to me?
“Bring him as your plus one,” Sophie said as I pulled into the McCallister’s driveway, windshield wipers slapping.
“Noah’s my plus one.”
“Fine. If you don’t bring Jude, I’m setting you up with the divorced lawyer. Your choice.”
“That’s… ugh, no. I don’t need a date for the wedding.” Sophie’s