see Jude and Katelynn before going to my parents’ house to pick up the kids. As I exited the elevator and walked toward Katelyn’s room, I could hear voices spilling from the partially open door.
“I can’t accept that, Easton. It doesn’t feel right.” Jude was attempting to come off as stern and straightforward, yet his lack of rest only made him sound defeated.
“I’m not asking you if it’s okay. I’m telling you this is just the way it’s gonna be.” Easton chuckled, and I could only imagine it was because of that look Jude always gives someone when he disagrees with something they’ve said or done. “I already put the building in your name, and there isn’t a damn thing you can do about it. The renovations will be done in a few more weeks, and then you all can move into the larger unit on the end. After that, the contractors will continue to move throughout the building, updating and cleaning things up.”
“I’m not a charity case, man. I don’t need you swooping in and playing hero. I can take care of my own.” But Jude’s response sounded sad, like he was questioning his own words.
“Never once have I looked at this as charity. You’re my friend, Jude, and friends help one another. My father spent his life building his empire. No, he may not have always done things the right way, but he assured my future was secure. Now all I want to do is pass that on to someone I know deserves a break. Fuck, you have busted your ass for years, Jude. Besides, in a few years’ time, I’ll have the money back and then some.”
“What do you mean?” Jude asked.
“We break ground on the other two units next week. The property just across the parking lot will have two buildings just like yours. I’m keeping those two.”
A silence set in, and I wondered just what was happening.
“So I’m gonna have to deal with even more neighbors?” Jude’s voice sounded less tormented.
“Well, for now, but I figure once you and Callie get married and start having kids of your own, you’ll probably move out of the complex.” Easton’s words surprised me. Jude and I were nowhere near that stage yet.
Another uncomfortable silence set in, and I was just about to turn around and retreat back toward the elevator when Jude’s words made me freeze.
“I was a dumbass for ever thinking I could keep my distance from her. She’s pretty damn special, and you’re right.” Jude paused, and my heart raced in my chest. “I can see myself spending the rest of my life with Callie.”
“Well, it’s about time you admit you’ve had a thing for her for years. The rest of us could see it every time you were in the same room together,” Easton said.
“I will pay you back somehow,” Jude said.
Easton chuckled once more, and I slowly began to back away from the room. “You can pay me back by giving those two kids the best life you can and by loving Callie the way she deserves to be loved.”
My chest tightened at Easton’s words. He truly was a sweet man, and Harper had found a gem when she snagged him.
I walked toward the vending machine just around the corner to wait for a few moments. I wanted to let the guys finish up their talk, even though I had eavesdropped on the main part of it. I purchased a bottle of water and was putting my wallet back into my bag when my phone vibrated in my purse. When I took it out, I found a message from Jude that made me smile.
Jude: I miss you. I would love to see your sweet smile right now. Come see me.
Without sending a response, I slipped the phone into my bag and walked toward Katelynn’s room.
The moment I pushed open the door, he turned to face me.
“Hi,” I offered with a smile. “I was already on my way to see you.” I shrugged and took another step into the room, pulling the door closed behind me.
Without speaking a word, he motioned for me to come to him, and I moved without hesitation. Jude wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me into his lap.
“I can’t accept that, Easton. It doesn’t feel right.” Jude was attempting to come off as stern and straightforward, yet his lack of rest only made him sound defeated.
“I’m not asking you if it’s okay. I’m telling you this is just the way it’s gonna be.” Easton chuckled, and I could only imagine it was because of that look Jude always gives someone when he disagrees with something they’ve said or done. “I already put the building in your name, and there isn’t a damn thing you can do about it. The renovations will be done in a few more weeks, and then you all can move into the larger unit on the end. After that, the contractors will continue to move throughout the building, updating and cleaning things up.”
“I’m not a charity case, man. I don’t need you swooping in and playing hero. I can take care of my own.” But Jude’s response sounded sad, like he was questioning his own words.
“Never once have I looked at this as charity. You’re my friend, Jude, and friends help one another. My father spent his life building his empire. No, he may not have always done things the right way, but he assured my future was secure. Now all I want to do is pass that on to someone I know deserves a break. Fuck, you have busted your ass for years, Jude. Besides, in a few years’ time, I’ll have the money back and then some.”
“What do you mean?” Jude asked.
“We break ground on the other two units next week. The property just across the parking lot will have two buildings just like yours. I’m keeping those two.”
A silence set in, and I wondered just what was happening.
“So I’m gonna have to deal with even more neighbors?” Jude’s voice sounded less tormented.
“Well, for now, but I figure once you and Callie get married and start having kids of your own, you’ll probably move out of the complex.” Easton’s words surprised me. Jude and I were nowhere near that stage yet.
Another uncomfortable silence set in, and I was just about to turn around and retreat back toward the elevator when Jude’s words made me freeze.
“I was a dumbass for ever thinking I could keep my distance from her. She’s pretty damn special, and you’re right.” Jude paused, and my heart raced in my chest. “I can see myself spending the rest of my life with Callie.”
“Well, it’s about time you admit you’ve had a thing for her for years. The rest of us could see it every time you were in the same room together,” Easton said.
“I will pay you back somehow,” Jude said.
Easton chuckled once more, and I slowly began to back away from the room. “You can pay me back by giving those two kids the best life you can and by loving Callie the way she deserves to be loved.”
My chest tightened at Easton’s words. He truly was a sweet man, and Harper had found a gem when she snagged him.
I walked toward the vending machine just around the corner to wait for a few moments. I wanted to let the guys finish up their talk, even though I had eavesdropped on the main part of it. I purchased a bottle of water and was putting my wallet back into my bag when my phone vibrated in my purse. When I took it out, I found a message from Jude that made me smile.
Jude: I miss you. I would love to see your sweet smile right now. Come see me.
Without sending a response, I slipped the phone into my bag and walked toward Katelynn’s room.
The moment I pushed open the door, he turned to face me.
“Hi,” I offered with a smile. “I was already on my way to see you.” I shrugged and took another step into the room, pulling the door closed behind me.
Without speaking a word, he motioned for me to come to him, and I moved without hesitation. Jude wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me into his lap.
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