Dread pools in my stomach. Just how many people are talking about me and Jude at the wedding? And it’s not as if we were all over each other. He kissed my head, we danced, we left holding hands. That’s it! How is it spreading like wildfire that we’re somehow romantically involved?
But there’s no time to dwell on this insanity. The rest of my day flies by, and soon I’m driving home, intent on opening a beer — or maybe something stronger — and calling Kat to set her straight. I’m reasonably confident she isn’t the one telling everyone Jude and I are together. No, my suspicion is it’s Marnie’s sorority friends who were her bridesmaids. I saw the way they were eyeing Jude at the wedding. It’s a wonder none of them pounced on him. If I’m correct, then they’re the ones blabbing about whatever theythinkthey saw. Considering that a couple of them live in nearby Westport, it’s easy to see how word would spread from them.
My plan is derailed when my phone rings and it’s my grandmother calling.
“Hi, Nana,” I say, balancing the phone between my shoulder and my ear as I unlock my front door.
“Hello, darling. How is your week going?”
A slightly hysterical laugh escapes me, but I cover it up quickly “Oh good, nothing special. You?”
“Just fine, dear. Now, I was hoping you could find some time to visit this weekend? Perhaps take your nana for lunch at Camille’s?”
A warm smile stretches across my face. “Of course. I would love that.”
I hear the satisfaction in her voice at my reply. “Wonderful. I do love when we have time together. And please do bring that lovely young man you were with at the wedding. You two are just so marvelous together.”
It’s a good thing I hadn’t yet taken a sip of the local craft beer I just poured or I would have spit it back out. Iseveryonein this town convinced Jude and I are a thing?
“Nana,” I start, but apparently, she’s not done.
“I’m not getting any younger and seeing you so happy with such a handsome man made my heart feel full. You deserve love and happiness, Lily, and I’m just thrilled you’ve found it. It would mean everything to me if I could get to know the man who stood by your side and made you smile.”
Well, shit.
You know those moments when you’re faced with an impossible choice? Neither one is great, but you’re forced to choose, anyway?
This feels like that moment.
It was bad enough that my best friend and my coworkers somehow thought Jude and I were an item. I could handle that, clear up the misconceptions and move on. But my grandmother? She sounds so hopeful, so relieved, even. I know she worries about me being alone and never settling down. She knows I haven’t had anything serious with a man in years — not since Clay dumped me for Marnie, and eventhatwasn’t really a serious relationship.
I don’t want to lie to her, but I also really don’t want to disappoint her. She’s the only person in my family who has ever been happy for me, even proud of me. And yet, every time we go for lunch, or have tea at her apartment, she asks if I’m seeing anyone, and I have to watch her face fall when I sayno. She tries to hide it, but I see it.
Which is exactly why there’s really only one choice.
“Okay, I’ll bring Jude.”
After the call with Nana, I quickly change out of my work clothes and grab my keys again. On the way to my car, I send Jude a text asking if he’s home. Without waiting for a reply, I drive over there.
Thankfully, he is, so I take the stairs to his apartment two at a time, a crazy idea forming in my head.
He opens the door, looking deliciously rumpled, as if he just took a nap or something. I push past him without waiting for an invitation, then freeze when a grey blur flies around the corner of the couch and bounces off my leg.
“You got a cat?” I blurt out, my reason for coming over momentarily forgotten.
Jude limps past me and sits down on the couch. “No, Kat dropped off a fucking kitten and apparently, I’m stuck with it for now.”
Despite the chaos brewing in my head, I grin. “That’s adorable. What’s its name?”
Jude scowls. “She doesn’t have one. Her actual owners can name her.”
My smile stays in place as I sink down on a chair next to his couch. “So, what, you just call it kitten? Why Jude, that’s awfully flirtatious.” I give him a wink, so he knows I’m teasing, but I’m in no way prepared for the way his expression morphs from one full of frustration to pure molten heat.
“What are you doing here, Lily?” he asks, the words sounding rumbly in the best possible way. Does he know he’s sexy even when he’s being a grump? Probably not.
“Right. So, we have a problem.” I get straight to the point, because if I don’t get this all out, I’ll probably lose my nerve. “It’s more than just your sister who thinks we’re involved somehow. I got pulled in by my boss today —”
“Shit, I’ll talk to him. This should in no way affect your job,” Jude interrupts, but I’m already shaking my head in denial.
