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“I’ve done my best to be discreet,” I said, hoping that answer would satisfy him.
“Does Graham know? Or Nate?” Jude asked, unwilling to drop it.
I shook my head, wishing Emerson would divert the conversation again. Wishing for an out.
“What about Jasper?” he asked.
“No. I haven’t told anyone.”
“Mm.” He sipped his coffee. “Your secrecy is only making me more intrigued.”
I laughed, though it sounded forced to my ears. “Jude, you’re making this into a bigger deal than it needs to be.”
“Then just tell me. Who is she?”
I wished he’d stop pushing. “I told you—it’s complicated. I need to talk to her about it first.”
Kendall finally relaxed, placing her hand over mine.
“I’ll stop bugging you,” he said. “But only if you promise to bring her on the yacht.”
Kendall’s eyes went wide, and I smoothed my thumb over her thigh. She quickly hid her surprise, and I tried to avoid the minefield we were navigating.
“We’ll see,” I said, hoping it would be enough to placate him for now.
CHAPTEREIGHTEEN
The kitchen was clean. Emmy had already left, and I got the feeling Jude was only leaving because Knox had made some excuse about needing to check in on his “girlfriend.” And Jude thought I was catching up on some things in the pool house.
Another lie. One of many.
So many that I’d lost count. How many lies had we told just this morning? Let alone the past few months. It was wearing on me.
“Thanks again for coming by to check on me,” Knox said to Jude.
“Of course. I’m just glad everyone is okay.”
They said something else, but I couldn’t make it out. I was too busy wondering what Knox had told his son about his girlfriend. And how many more lies we’d tell. And if Jude would ever forgive us, especially Knox.
The alarm chimed twice in quick succession, letting me know that the front door had opened and closed. Which meant Jude was finally gone. I breathed a sigh of relief and slumped against the wall.
I wasn’t sure which had been more exhausting. Battling food poisoning last night, or trying to act normal in front of Jude this morning.
Knox rounded the corner to the kitchen, narrowing his eyes when he spotted me. “Back to bed with you.”
I shook my head, though nothing had ever sounded more appealing. I’d picked at breakfast. My stomach was calmer but by no means back to normal. And Jude’s unexpected appearance certainly hadn’t helped.
“Come on,” Knox said, picking me up in one smooth movement.
I draped my arms around his neck and rested my head against his chest. His heartbeat was calm and steady, and it helped me relax.
By the time we reached the bedroom, I was exhausted even though he was doing all the heavy lifting. I was glad he’d insisted I go back to bed. I didn’t have the energy for anything else.
Perhaps sensing that, he placed me gently on the bed. I sank into the plush mattress, missing him already, even though he was only a few feet away. My eyes drifted closed as he stripped out of his pants. I could hear the rustle of fabric as he removed his shirt before joining me in bed.
“How are you feeling?” he asked, touching me gently. First my forehead, as if he were checking my temperature. Then my cheek. My lips. My chin. All the while, his eyes scanned my face.
“I’m exhausted,” I admitted, feeling a weariness that went down to the bone. I’d been up most of the night before—my body turning itself inside out. And this morning had been stressful beyond belief.
