“Of course. I couldn’t agree more.”
“Actually, it’s funny because, I’ve met someone recently,” I say, glancing up at the cloudless sky for two seconds as I release a contented breath. “And he’s amazing. It’s so strange, it’s like he just … came out of nowhere. And he’s everything I could ever want in someone. Perfect for me. Eerily perfect. And I never would’ve met him if we were still … you know.”
Hunter’s eyes light.
Either he thinks his plan is working, that his freedom from alimony is just around the corner.
Or he reads between the lines and realizes that I know exactly what he did.
Either way I win because as soon as I get the chance, I’m going to make sure that rug is pulled out from under him so hard, so fast, he won’t know what hit him, and all those things he fought so hard for with his cold, dead heart will be forever out of reach.
Just like that.
“Speak of the devil,” I say when I spot Jude up the sidewalk.
He’s shirtless, his smooth, tanned body glistening with sweat under the morning sun, and I manage to wave him over.
Hunter turns to follow my gaze, and then he watches as Jude sidles up to me and kisses the top of my forehead.
“Hey,” I say, rising on my toes to kiss his salty, minty mouth like I’d done so many times before.
The two of them exchange looks for a brief second but avoid eye contact after that, each of them focused on me and me alone.
It feels unnatural playing the two of them. I’ve never been a manipulator and it feels akin to wearing tight, dirty clothes. I want to take them off and change into something clean, something better fitting, but all’s fair in love and war.
“Hunter, this is Jude,” I say, realizing I haven’t technically introduced them yet. “Jude, this is Hunter. The ex-husband I told you about.”
I watch Hunter’s eyes flash for a moment. He hates when anyone talks ill of him behind his back, but what does he expect? Jude glances down at me, one brow raised like he’s confused. And he should be. Now that I think about it, I haven’t ever said much about Hunter to Jude. I’ve only ever referred to him as someone I once knew.
“Anyway, we should get going,” I say, eye snapping onto Jude’s. “I got us breakfast. Thought you’d be hungry after your run.”
“Jude, good to meet you,” Hunter says, though he doesn’t extend a hand. Jude nods, and my ex focuses on me next. “Love, hope to see you again sometime. Take care.”
With that, he’s gone, and I unfasten myself from Jude’s side.
“I didn’t realize you were still friendly with your ex,” he says while we head back to The Jasper.
“Is that a problem?” I respond with a question that doesn’t confirm nor deny what he’s asserting.
“Not at all. You just never talked about him much. I assumed you weren’t on speaking terms.”
I’m not sure why he’s asking me this or why it matters, but the way his forehead is lined and his jaw is tightened, it seems like he’s genuinely curious.
“Actually,” I say, “this is the first time I’ve seen him since our divorce was finalized. He was surprisingly cordial.”
“You didn’t expect him to be?”
I laugh. “I didn’t. He’s not a good person, Jude. He was a terrible husband. He lied, he controlled, he cheated. Our divorce wasn’t pretty.”
Jude is quiet, lost in thought perhaps, and by the time we make it to our lobby, he still hasn’t said a word.
I can only hope he’s finally seeing Hunter for who he is. I hope it makes him realize he fucked up. And from here on out, I hope it keeps him up at night, eats away at him and makes it hard to look himself in the mirror every morning.
We ride in silence to the seventh floor, and when we make it to our hallway, I hand over his coffee and breakfast.
“I’ve got some meetings today,” I say, checking the time on my phone. “Need to finalize the logo for Agenda W and stop by my attorney’s office to sign a few more things, but I’ll be around tonight …”
Jude’s olive gaze searches mine, only now he’s looking at me differently.
Closing the gap between us, I hook an arm over his shoulder and rise on my toes before pressing my mouth against his. The kiss is quick, less than passionate.
I don’t understand what’s happening.
I’m giving him everything he wants and he’s pulling back.
“Can I see you tonight?” I ask. “When I get back?”
Worrying the inside of his bottom lip, he says nothing.
“Jude?” I say his name, half-chuckling. “You okay?”
“You told me you loved me this morning,” he says.
Is that what this is about?
Does he think I love him and he’s all of a sudden growing a conscience?
“I did?” I play dumb.
“You were half-asleep,” he says, “but you said it … did you mean it?”
Lifting my shoulders, I tilt my head and smirk. “I said it, didn’t I?”
“Love … did you mean it?” he asks again.
“Why would anyone say something like that if they didn’t mean it?” I ask, leaning close and kissing his mouth again. “I should get going. I’ll text you on my way home later.”
He stands there watching me as I walk away, cooling cup of coffee in one hand and the brown paper bag in the other. I don’t stay long enough to study his reaction, though by the time I’m back inside my place, I almost wish I had.
Not that it would make a difference.
The damage has been done.
Thirty-Four
Jude
* * *
She loves me.
I mean something to her.
This is more than the beginnings of a summer fling that never quite got off the ground.
I rinse the soap from my body and kill the shower water before grabbing a towel and wrapping it around my waist. The glass on the mirror is fogged, but it’s all the same because I’m the last person I want to look at.
I knew ending this was going to be messy, but Love’s admission adds another layer to an already complicated situation.
I can’t keep this going.
I can’t drag this out a second longer.
Grabbing my phone from the bathroom counter, I dial the number for Blue Stream Records. Hunter’s assistant answers on the second ring, placing me on hold. As soon as she returns, I tell her I need to meet with him immediately.
“He’s out of the office right now,” she says, “but he should be back soon.”
Yeah. I know. I ran into him an hour ago.
“I could put you in around eleven, if you’d like?” she offers.
“I’ll take it.” I give her my name and end the call, struggling to drag in a single humid breath in this stifling bathroom.
Today’s the day.
“I don’t understand.” Hunter perches on the edge of his polished desk, his fist pressed against his frowning mouth. “I saw you two this morning. She looked happy. You had your arm around her. And now … now you want to pull the plug? Are you fucking kidding me, Jude?”