Page 58 of More Than Friends

I frown, wanting him to know that I don’t love the answer he just gave me. “Jude, you love Pembroke. Before Ava, you spent every day there. It’s time for you to get back to the club. You’re going tomorrow.”

He pulls his hand from above mine, and I miss the warmth of it the moment it’s gone. I try not to let him see the disappointment on my face about no longer feeling his skin against mine.

“I didn’t realize you were the boss of me.” There’s humor in his tone, and that smirk still hasn’t left his lips. If anything, the corner of his mouth has lifted a little higher.

“Iamthe boss of you when you become unreasonable. You’re a little social butterfly who has been cooped up far too long. It’s time for you to spread your wings and go back to Pembroke. I’ve scheduled you a tee time with Tyson tomorrow morning while I watch Ava.”

He leans back a little as his eyebrows rise to his hairline. “Babies aren’t allowed on the course.”

I can’t help but smile because he hasn’t said no. “Well, I figured you could go alone and tell the people most important to you about Ava before bringing her there. Tyson’s been asking about you, and so I arranged for the two of you to golf together tomorrow. I think Cal’s going to try to join, but he and Lucy have some wedding planning meetings first.”

“What if I don’t want to golf with Tyson tomorrow? If you’re watching Ava, shouldn’t I be working during that time?”

I roll my eyes and swat at the air. “You’ll golf in the morning, work in the afternoon. You need to get out, even for just a few hours. Tell who you want to tell about Ava, because by Friday, when Pembroke has their big welcome party, you’re going to be there, and Ava’s going with you.”

“I’ll go on Friday under one condition.”

I straighten my spine and smile because this is easier than I thought it’d be. “What is it?”

“You go to the party with us.”

My lips part, and I hope he can’t see the blush creeping up my chest and into my cheeks at his one condition. “Oh, you don’t have to bring me with you.”

“I know. But I want to bring you. If I’m going to Pembroke on Friday, I’m going with my girls.Bothmy girls.”

There’s a loud whooshing sound in my ears, and I swear I can hear my own heartbeat.

My girls.

Bothmy girls.

I know he doesn’t mean anything by it. He probably doesn’t even realize what he’s said, but that doesn’t matter. I realize what he said, and it’s something I can never unhear.

His girl.

I rub my lips together because if I don’t, I might not be able to fight the giddy smile threatening to overtake my mouth.

I know I shouldn’t want to be his girl, and I know that I’m reading way too much into what he just said, but none of that matters right now. I’m both elated and devastated to be called his because there’s nothing I want more than for our circumstances to be different so that could be possible.

Jude gently adjusts Ava on his chest before leaning forward. “Char.” My name comes out soft and gentle, and I swear there’s affection in his tone, but I don’t know if that’s just my own wishful thinking or the truth.

“Mm-hmm?” I still can’t really form words. All I can manage is a small hum as I try to internally calm myself down at being referred to ashis girl.

What is wrong with me?

Jude Kensington is getting to my head.

“Will you go to the welcome party with us on Friday, or are we all three ditching it to stay home instead?”

“You’re going,” I manage to get out. My words come out barely above a whisper.

“I’m not going if you’re not going.”

He smirks and lifts an eyebrow, a silent dare for me to argue.

I can’t.

I look at my lap for a moment as I think about what to say. I want to go to the welcome party with him. I’ve never been. Unless you’re working the event, which I never did when I worked at Pembroke Grill, and won’t be as a cart girl, then Pembroke employees aren’t invited. Members on the course the last couple of weeks have been gushing about how fun it is. I’ve secretly wanted to go, but I was too nervous to ask Jude to take me.