Page 67 of Axe Backwards
“So…” he said once everything was back in its rightful place and the dishwasher was loaded.
My chest tightened. The way he dragged out that word made me concerned that he was winding up for a hard conversation, and I really needed to get home. Tess needed her nightly pacing around the apartment to sleep. She’d done well at Mom’s while we were at the wedding, but I couldn’t chance it. My mom was so generous, but I refused to allow her to be up all night.
“I’m glad you’re finally home.”
I blew out a breath, half relieved, half defeated. “Lovewell hasn’t been home for a very long time.”
“That’s the thing about home, don’t you think? It’s always there for you when you need it. You should stay.”
That was the million-dollar question. Would we stay? Could we stay?
“I need a job.” I went with what felt like the easiest way to sidestep the emotional landmines of settling down in Lovewell.
“Do you? You have your share from the sale of the business.”
I nodded. “And Owen set up some investments and a trust for Tess. And—” I swallowed past the lump that had suddenly formed in my throat and lowered my attention to the floor between us. “And Jack and Emily had life insurance. Tess is covered. College, all of it.”
Jude nodded. “I’m glad she’s provided for. But how are you doing with all this? You want to talk about it?”
I shook my head. The emotions were still so raw. And watching my girl grow and change every day, knowing Jack and Emily would miss every milestone, only compounded my guilt. “No, I really don’t.”
“Okay, then.” With a shrug, he closed the dishwasher. “I’m here when you’re ready.”
Chapter 21
Noah
Being Vic’s fake boyfriend was the easiest job I’d ever had. Mostly, it consisted of hanging out like we had been and going about our lives normally. Most mornings, Tess and I would walk to the Caffeinated Moose. We’d pick up a latte for Vic or wait for her to meet us after she’d gotten cleaned up after our run, and I’d inevitably be trapped for at least five minutes while people gushed about us.
One thing was clear: everyone I encountered adored Vic. They respected how hard she worked for the community. I’d never thought to stop and appreciate the way Lovewell valued character and hard work before.
I’d lived in many remote places, but nothing compared to the unforgiving terrain up here. The harsh winters, steamy summers, endless mosquitos, and wild storms that made the people here band together and take care of one another.
Now I saw it clearly. Day in and day out. The way people helped one another. Leaned on each other. And Vic was an important piece of this community puzzle.
Tess and I let ourselves into Vic’s apartment to deliver her coffee. It had become our tradition on the mornings we didn’t run together.
“Ick-Ick,” Tess called out happily, squirming in my arm.
The moment I set her on the floor, she dropped to her knees and crawled at a high rate of speed toward Vic’s bedroom door.
When it opened, I almost fainted.
My fake girlfriend stood in the doorway wearing nothing but a bathing suit.
And not a normal bathing suit.
This one had all kinds of cutouts in the torso. Technically it was probably considered a one-piece, but it covered less skin than a bikini. The sides were cut up high, exposing her hips and just barely covering her ass.
I shuffled sideways and splayed a hand on the table to steady myself.
In the suit that left nothing to the imagination and her hair down like that, she looked like a goddess. The scrap of fabric was a deep chocolate brown and dipped low in front, barely covering each of her round breasts.
My mouth went dry, and I lost the ability to form a sentence.
Then she leaned down to scoop up Tess, and all blood flow to my brain ceased.
She sauntered over, mostly naked, with my kid on her hip, and took the coffee cup off the table. With a small smile, she brought it to her lips and took a long sip.
