I have your keys, Jules?” he asks. “I took an Uber from the airport. I need Imogene’s booster seat anyway.”
Julia’s expression falters. “I have some errands to run. Things we need for the bakery. If you want to head back to Charleston this weekend, I—”
“Here.” I reach into my pocket and hand her my keys. “You can have my car so Nick can take yours.”
“But how are you going to get back to the office?”
“I’ll just Uber. It’ll be fine.”
“Are you sure?”
“Of course. You have things you need to do. My car’s just going to sit in the garage all afternoon. You may as well use it.”
“See. It all works out,” Nick booms. “So… The keys, Jules?”
“Sure.” Unclipping the ring of keys from the belt loop at her waist, she unhooks her car key and house key, handing them to him.
“See you at the house. Try not to work too late.”
“I won’t,” Julia responds halfheartedly.
He grabs the handle of his suitcase and rolls it behind him, Imogene’s hand clutched tightly in his free one as he walks out of the bakery. Once they round the corner toward the staff parking lot, disappearing from view, Julia blows out a long breath.
“Is everything okay?” I ask, fully facing her. “Are you okay?”
“What makes you think I’m not?”
I place my hands on her biceps to stop her from avoiding this conversation. “It’s just a feeling. You don’t seem like yourself.”
“I’m fine, Wes,” she replies, pushing away from me and skirting through the growing crowd, picking up crumb-covered dishes and lipstick-stained coffee mugs on her way. “He threw me for a loop. You know how I like to stick to a schedule, especially with Imogene. His being home early messes with my routine.”
I follow her behind the counter and into the kitchen in the back. “You’re sure that’s all?” I narrow my gaze on her as she places the mugs and plates into their appropriate dish racks.
“Eventually, you’ll learn how things sometimes change once you get married. After being with the same person for several years, the spark fades. I guess I get so used to doing everything on my own that when Nick comes home, he feels more like an annoyance than my husband and father of my child. It takes me a few days to get used to having someone to answer to.”
“Someone to answer to?” I shake my head, brows furrowed. “I don’t—”
“Not like that,” she interjects quickly. “I’m not explaining it correctly. When it’s only Imogene and me, I can do whatever I want without having to take into account anyone else. I see that big brother protectiveness coming out. You have nothing to worry about.” She squeezes my arms reassuringly. “Promise.”
I study her for a moment, searching for any indication things aren’t as she claims. Finding nothing, I relax my posture and nod. “Okay.”
“Okay.”
“But you’ll tell me if something isn’t right?” I press.
“You know I will.” With a smile, she lifts herself onto her toes and places a soft kiss on my cheek. “Now, get out of here so I can get back to work.” She grins, the Julia I’ve known and loved most of my life returning, softening my unease.
“You got it, boss.” I mock salute her, then turn, heading back toward the dining area.
“Hey, Wes?” she calls as I’m about to push through the swinging doors. I pause, glancing over my shoulder. “You’re a good brother.”
“I love you, Jules.”
“Love you, too. Now go. Design your buildings. And think of a way to get through to Londyn.”
“I have a feeling designing the most complex building might be an easier feat.”
“True.” She smirks. “But I’ve never known you to shy away from a challenge.”
Chapter Nineteen
Londyn
“It was so good to see you again, Lo,” Justine says, giving me a hug as we linger in the lobby of a popular happy hour spot just around the corner from my old office.
I’d almost turned down her invitation to go out and celebrate one of my former co-worker’s birthdays, since I no longer work with them. But I needed something to keep my mind off the fact that I’m not spending my Friday with Wes at Meemaw and Gampy’s house.
I’d thought doing something that was once a weekly occurrence would help. But nothing did. I saw Wes in every man wearing a dashing suit who walked by the restaurant. I saw him in the group of tourists stopping by for a quick drink. And I saw him in our bartender, the dazzling blue