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“So, that’s it? You’re really just going to let her go?” he asked, and I wondered if he regretted letting her go months ago.
“You did,” I said, hoping to remind him of that fact. And then immediately regretting it. I sounded like a jealous asshole, and I was lashing out at my son, of all people.
His shoulders slumped. “That was different.”
“It’s just a job. Kendall’s a smart, capable young woman. I’m sure she’ll find what she’s looking for.”It just isn’t me.
“It’s notjusta job. I heard from a mutual friend that she needsthe money.”
I furrowed my brow. “What are you talking about?”
“Her mom hasn’t been able to work for months. Kendall’s been taking care of her and paying their bills. And you know as well as I do that medical expenses aren’t cheap.”
I nodded, thinking of how much the Leatherbacks spent on health care.
Kendall was carrying so much more than I’d realized.
“She never mentioned it,” I said.
“Yeah, well, you know how she is. But I’ll convince her.” He leaned across the counter. “So, do you want to go out for brunch or stay in?”
I lifted a shoulder, still processing everything Jude had told me. “My chef asked for the morning off at the last minute. But if it’s all the same to you, I’d rather stay in.”
Brunch in LA wasn’tjusta meal out. It was a chance to be seen. And after the morning I’d had, I was in no mood to put on a smile and keep up appearances. Trying to act normal in front of Jude was challenging enough.
“Fine,” he said. “As long as you cook.”
“Deal.” He was a terrible cook. Probably because he thought it was an annoyance, where I found it relaxing.
“You start the omelets, and I’ll grab your laptop.”
“Sounds good.” I headed for the fridge and started pulling out ingredients.
A moment later, it hit me. He’d headed toward my office. The office where I’d taken Kendall on my desk.
My eyes widened in panic, and I scrambled down the hall. “Jude, wait.”
“Whoa. Ho. Ho. Someone had a wild night,” Jude said as I skidded to a stop in front of the door.
Papers were still scattered on the floor. My pen cup had been knocked over, the contents strewn across the desk. My usually tidy office was a disaster, much like my thoughts.
And then I watched in horror as Jude used the end of a pen to indicate the discarded condom wrapper that had fallen just beside the trash can. He gave me a pointed look. “Care to explain this?”
“No.” I turned for the door, needing to get out of there. Away from the evidence of last night.
It was both a painful reminder of the power Kendall had over me and the fact that I’d betrayed my son in the most unthinkable of ways. In that moment, I was hit with the full force of what I’d done, and I nearly vomited on the $40,000 rug Kendall had helped me choose for the office.
“And all this time,” Jude said, his footsteps shuffling down the hall behind me, “I thought maybe you were secretly holding out hope that you and Mom would get back together.”
“What?” I jerked back my head. “No.” I barked out a laugh, mostly to cover just how uncomfortable I was. “We’re definitely better off as friends.” I stilled, turning my attention back to him as it dawned on me. “Why? Do you wish we’d get back together?”
“No.” He laughed. “I guess I wondered if that was why you never date. Because you’re still hung up on Mom.”
I closed my eyes and pinched the bridge of my nose. If he only knew…
“I love your mom, but I like our relationship as it is. We’re better as friends.”
“So, who was your lady friend?” he asked.
