Total pages in book: 109
Estimated words: 105183 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 526(@200wpm)___ 421(@250wpm)___ 351(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 105183 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 526(@200wpm)___ 421(@250wpm)___ 351(@300wpm)
“And how did you two meet?”
So we’re skipping foreplay, are we? No gentle ease into conversation. I look at Jude, curious. He hasn’t shared that key piece of information, or what I do for a living? Because surely they’re among the first things a loved one would ask if you’ve declared you’ve met someone. How did you meet? Where did you meet? What does she do? Jude peeks up at me, remaining silent, relaxed in his chair as he cocks an elbow on the arm and an ankle on his knee.
“I was here with friends for a spa day,” I reply.
“Nice.”
“It was a birthday gift from my friend.”
“Generous friend.”
I laugh. “She got it for a bargain in the promotion.”
He frowns. “Promotion?”
Jude shifts in his chair, clearing his throat. “For the five-year anniversary,” he says. “We did a special offer on a limited number of spa days.”
“I see,” Casey muses, interested. “Since when do you run special offers?”
“Since now.” Jude’s tone is flat, a certain warning look in his eyes. I study him, curious. Tetchy. Why?
Casey backs off, his face thoughtful. “Sounds like you got more than a spa day for your money.”
“Casey,” Jude breathes, his look definitely darkening. Am I missing something? I feel like there’s a conversation going on that I’m not a part of.
“So you met on your bargain spa day and . . . ?”
“We met again when Arlington hosted an annual finance conference.” I’ll skip over the bits in between.
“And you host business conferences now too?” Casey says, amused. “Bargain spa days, boring business functions. Mother would turn in her grave.”
I sit back in my chair, wary when Jude’s jaw rolls. “Don’t go there,” he cautions, and suddenly the box of pills I just found in his cupboard are front and centre of my mind.
Casey gives Jude a cocked brow. “It sounds like the stars were aligned and you were destined to meet.” The atmosphere is swiftly frosty, the brothers glaring at each other. “I hope it works out for you, brother.”
Jude leans forward and takes his coffee. My phone ringing couldn’t have come at a better time.
“Excuse me.” I stand, and the men rise too. “I need to take this.” I wander off, looking back to see Jude glaring at me now. He thinks it’s Nick. God, please don’t be Nick. I rummage through my bag and breathe in when I see Mum’s calling. “Hi, Mum.”
“Amelia, you sound dreadful.”
“I only said hello,” I say over a laugh.
“Are you hungover?”
“I’m fine. What’s up?”
“What time are you coming over?”
“I didn’t say I was.”
“But you always visit on Sundays. Grandma and Grandpa are here.”
“I’ll come by after work tomorrow.”
“Oh. Well, what are you doing?”
“Working,” I breathe, exasperated. “What’s with the Spanish Inquisition?”
“You’ve not been yourself lately.”
I look back at the entrance of the Piano Bar. “I promise I’m fine.”
She hums, obviously unsure. As am I at this moment in time. “Then I’ll see you tomorrow. I’m sure Grandma and Grandpa can make it then too.”
“Make it? They live around the corner. They’re at your house most days.”
“Don’t be smart, it doesn’t suit you.”
“I know, Dad tells me all the time.”
“Goodbye.” Mum cuts the call so she doesn’t hear my exasperated deep breath, and I head back to Jude and Casey, not sure if I want to put myself between the two brothers again. There’s definitely something going on between them.
“A pussy is just a pussy,” Jude says, and I stop just shy of the pillar that’s between me and them, hiding me. “It’s the connection that makes it explosive. She’s fucking brilliant, Casey. I just didn’t expect it, and now I’m . . . well.” He sighs. “I feel fucked, to be honest.”
“Jesus, Jude, what the hell have you got yourself into?”
I flinch, staring at my feet, bypassing all the lovely things he just said and homing in on his tired, beaten, final words. He feels fucked. Why?
“You’re the eldest,” Casey says. “You’re supposed to be the most stable.”
Antidepressants. Do his brothers know? And why the hell does Jude being involved with me deem him unstable?
“Just let me figure this out.” Jude’s voice is quiet. Thoughtful.
“I hope you do.”
“I will,” he grates. “She’s worth it.”
What the hell is he figuring out? Does Casey know about Katherine? The questions circle as I walk back a few paces, making sure the clicks of my heels are loud enough, before making myself known. Jude stands, as does Casey. It’s an effort to wipe the unease from my expression. “Sorry, it was my mother.”
Casey nods, putting his hand out to Jude and hauling him in for a hug when he takes it. “I’m back for a few weeks until my next charter.”
“Have you heard from our brother?”
“No,” Casey says, his face telling me he’s wary. “You?”
“I told him to call you.” Jude reaches for me and pulls me close, and I don’t miss Casey’s interested eyes. “He’s got himself in a spot of bother.”