Page 3 of Can't Get Over You
Surprised, she followed him into her apartment. “Do you think there are more?” Her skin prickled, and she couldn’t help scanning the room. “Is the mother living in my apartment? Raising her entire litter in my room?”
“I didn’t see any others, so I don’t think so.” He swiped a bath towel off the floor and headed straight for the kitchen.
“Where’d you find it?”
“Under the dresser.” He dropped it into the washing machine and fiddled with the dials. A moment later, water rushed through the pipes.
“You didn’t have to do that. You’ve done more than enough.”
“I used it to catch the raccoon. I didn’t think you’d want to touch it.”
This guy.She wanted to throw herself against that big, broad chest and feel the shield of his powerful body. She wanted his big, strong arms to squeeze out all the loneliness.
Instead, she said, “You’re right. I would’ve burned it.” She smiled. “Thank you. I really appreciate it. I know it seems ridiculous, but it was araccoon.’”
“That motherfucker went Cujo on me.” He washed his hands at the sink.
Other than Willa, she wasn’t used to having people over, so with his size, Jude took up all the space in her small kitchen.
It was thrilling, and she loved it.
Loved him.
Wanted him with her whole being
“So what’s your beef with Leia?” he asked.
The question hit like a hard slap across her cheek.Why had she assumed he’d chosen her over the most popular girl inschool? He might still be planning to catch up with her.“Uh, I was on the run from a wild animal in my slippers. I wasn’t exactly in the mood to socialize.”
“Nah. You’re the nicest girl in town. You’ve never been rude to anyone.”
Was that affection in his eyes?For me?“Yeah, well.” She didn’t want to share her ugly past. She especially didn’t want Leia to come out looking powerful. But at the same time, she wasn’t going to shy away from the truth. “We were best friends until sixth grade.”
“And then?”
“And then, she dumped me.” And before he could think she was a loser, she added, “Because I’m not rich like her.”
“What does money have to do with friendship?”
Coming from a guy who used to live in a bike club, the question surprised her. As if he hadn’t experienced it, too. “You think she wants to have playdates in employee housing?” But she could tell he still didn’t get it. “While her family was in Paris for spring break, I was teaching kids on the bunny slope at the ski club.”
“Maybe she was jealous of you.”
“Of me? Ha.” Well, honestly, she loved that his mind went there. But no, he didn’t get it. “Trust me, it’s the money. Her parents live in a fancy house, and her mom stays home. Mine are divorced and work full-time. That meant all the playdates could only be at her house. And when her mom took us back-to-school shopping, it wasn’t like I could afford anything. It was all very one-sided. Whatever.” She shrugged it off. It was a long time ago. “She dropped me.”
“How’d she do it?”
“She was mean, okay? Why’re you pushing this?”
“If she treated you like shit, I want to know.”
A burst of pleasure had her fingers and toes tingling. She loved that he cared. “There were four of us in the group, and one of the girls was having a birthday party. It seemed like every year, the events got bigger and more outrageous, as if they were all trying to outdo one another. And for this one, her parents rented out the Owl Hoot amphitheater and hired a semi-famous band. They had food trucks and fireworks. It sounded like so much fun, and I couldn’t wait to go. But when I showed up at Leia’s house, there was no one home. She’d left a letter for me taped on the door.”
“What did it say?” The skin around his eyes crinkled with concern.
“Basically, that she didn’t want to be friends with me.”
“Fee. What did it say? I know you still remember every word.”
