Page 63 of Axe Backwards
Jude was pulling dough now. Rather than a rolling pin, he was using his hands.
“You look like a professional.”
He ignored the observation. “Why are you and Vic faking?”
With a long exhale, I dove into the details, though I kept it as brief as I could.
“Victoria is beloved around here. This town would rise up and chase her family off with pitchforks and torches if she asked them to.”
My chest tightened with affection for this place. If the people here had her back, then that elevated my opinion of the town where I was raised.
“That ex-husband of hers?” Jude laughed. “He should know better not to show his face in Lovewell. If the knitting ladies got wind he was here, shit.” He shook his head, scoffing. “His life would be in danger.”
I raised one eyebrow. “The knitting ladies?”
“Dude, you have no idea. Ask Cole. He’ll be here soon.”
“You should have seen her at her sister’s wedding. She was so jumpy and anxious. Like she was a completely different person. These people get under her skin. I gotta help her.”
Jude pinned me with a weary look. He’d lectured me many times about my hero complex.
“What would you have done?” I asked. “She helps with Tess. I care about her. And she asked me to be her fake boyfriend.”
“I would have agreed,” Jude said without hesitation. “Doesn’t mean it’s a good idea, though.”
A whoosh of air escaped me. “See?”
“But,” he said, peering at me over his glasses. “Victoria is beautiful, kind, and generous. I can also see how easy it would be to fall in love with her.”
A thread of anger wound through me as he continued to speak about her.
“She’s fun and down-to-earth…”
My fists clenched of their own accord.
“And a bright spot in this town.”
My vision went red around the edges. “Areyouin love with her?”
Jude tilted his head and gave me a look of sheer pity. “No,” he said slowly, “but you may want to consider whether you are.”
My stomach twisted into a knot. I’d do no such thing. She was my friend, and I loved spending time with her. But I didn’t get attached. I didn’t develop deep feelings. It wasn’t who I was.
She deserved someone steady, someone grounded. Like Jude.
And now my fists were clenched again.
Before I could tell him to take his suggestion and fuck off, Ripley scurried toward the door, barking.
Gus stepped inside, talking to the dog as he did, followed by Cole, who was holding a Tupperware container.
“Are those what I think they are?” I asked, my mouth already watering. Damn, it had been a long time since I’d had one of my mom’s salty-sweet, crumbly cookies.
He nodded. “Debbie taught me the secret recipe.”
Jude, who was hand-tearing mozzarella, nodded. “His are good.”
I reached out to grab the container, but Cole slapped my hand away. “Don’t be an animal.”
