Page 57 of The Surrender
“That’s it?”
“Pretty much, yes.”
“Oh.”
Looking at me as we wander down the street, he pulls me into his side and kisses my forehead. “You’re staying the night.”
“Of course I am.” I smile at the pavement ahead. “I move into my new apartment this weekend. I can’t stay every night then.”
He hums. “Maybe I can stay at your place.”
I grin, thrilled. I’d love that. “It’s not as big as your place.” My phone chimes, my lip curling when I see a message from Leighton Steers.
Let me know if you change your mind. Always willing to help.
“Change your mind about what?” Jude asks, obviously close enough to see the message.
I become stiff, my head scrambling. “Nothing,” I say, brushing it off. “Some work thing.”
“Is he still sniffing around you?”
“No, I told you, it’s just some work thing.” I stuff my phone in my bag, trying not to look as anxious as I feel.
Jude stops us walking, turning into me. “Change your mind about what?”
“Jude, it’s nothing.”
“Then tell me.”
I can see the passive-aggressive-possessive beast rising.Think, think, think.“He had some inside information on the merger.”
Jude’s head tilts. “Did he want something in return for that inside information?”
I freeze, stumped. I shouldn’t be surprised Jude had Leighton Steers nailed within a few seconds of clapping eyes on him. “No, of course not. I—”
“Hey, Jude!” The gruff calling of Jude’s name reaches both our ears, sparing me the agony of explaining. Or lying through my teeth.
“Oh Jesus,” Jude breathes.
“What?”
“My brother.”
“Casey?”
“No, the other one.”
“Rhys?” I ask, seeing a man jogging across the road towards us. And there’s no mistaking who he is. He’s Jude, just a few years younger, a few inches wider, and with shorter hair. Rhys takes me in, up and down. “So is this the famous Amelia?”
“What are you doing here?” Jude asks.
“Well, when you mentioned you were having dinner with your girlfriend, I thought it would be a mighty shame to miss the opportunity to meet her.” He gives me a big, dashing smile.
“You’re supposed to be going back to Dublin tonight.”
“One more night in the Big Smoke won’t hurt.”
“Won’t it?” Jude asks. “Rhys, you could get yourself into trouble if you were locked in a cupboard alone.”
