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Juliette’s whole face lights up. “Nice.”
Her happiness twists daggers in my gut. There are more shards to purge, it seems.
She uses my and Shane’s shoulders to help herself stand up. “Phew. I think I’m ready to try and eat now.”
Good. You do that. Let’s not talk about Laurel anymore. I know I proposed the rebound relationship, but I’m not going to use Laurel to parade her in front of Juliette, as if saying,See? I got over you.Laurel might’ve agreed to that, but I will make sure she has the best time with me. She may be helping me, but I really do like her.
“Hm.” The doubtful sound comes from Shane, of all people.
“Keep yourhms to yourself.” I dig into the food in earnest, hoping the questioning is over.
“Where is the pudding?” Juliette asks in the kitchen.
“In the fridge,” Gabe responds.
“No, it’s not.” Juliette slams the door shut. The Davenports’ open floor plan gives her a perfect opportunity to seek out the pudding thief. Hands on her hips, she glares at me with the flint I’ve never seen in her soft gray eyes before. “Did you eat it?”
“Yes.” I can’t deny it. “I didn’t know I wasn’t supposed to touch it. There wasn’t a note telling me to keep my grubby paws off it.”
“You ate the only thing I can still taste and not gag?”
“Run while you can,” Shane mutters.
Marina covers her mouth with her hand to hide a smile, and Gabe is the only one who comes to my rescue. “I’ll make another one. Right now. Jace, get in here and help me.”
I would anyway, even if I had a choice. Juliette’s lingering glare promises me death if I don’t remedy the situation.
“Why are you so ticked off?” Already in the kitchen, I ruffle her hair. “It’s just pudding. I’m making you another one.”
Juliette’s elbow strikes my side just under my ribs. My breath rushes out of me, but I apprehend her next maneuver, which would have landed me on my back on the floor.
“Didn’t they tell you to not exert yourself like this?” I scoop her off her feet and hold her tight, leaving her no wiggle room at all, and I carry her to the living room.
Tears immediately spring out of her eyes. “These past few weeks have been a complete and utter nightmare. The sight of pretty much everything makes me want to throw up. Dad’s Sunday Pud is the only thing that still goes down. Do you know how hungry I am?”
“I am really sorry about that, and I will fix it.” I pass her off to Shane, who’s already standing and casting lightning with his eyes at me for handling his wife like this.
“You’ll fix it?” Juliette laughs. “You can’t cook to save your life.”
I pat her on the head. “That’s why your dad will help me.”
“No.Youwill helpme,” Gabe corrects me. “We’re out of cream. Run to the store. Get me at least half a gallon. If they don’t have big cartons, do the math.”
“On my way.” I run out the door.
Gabe follows me outside. “Jace!”
“What else do I need to pick up?” I whip out my phone to make a list. “I’m sorry I helped myself. Never was a problem before—”
“That’s not the problem.” He lands a heavy hand on my shoulder, but the quick squeeze that follows is kind.
“There is a problem though?”
His eyebrows sit low over his eyes, inching toward each other and hinting at a great deal of unease. My stomach flips over once. He’s the last person to chew me out. IfGabesays something is wrong, I must’ve screwed up majorly.
“Listen.” He glances at the house like he’s making sure no one will overhear us. “I didn’t say anything when Juliette was getting married. You handled everything very well. Honestly, I always thought you two would end up together at some point. Then you took her relationship with Shane in stride, and I was convinced you had no feelings for her.”
“Because I don’t. We’re friends, of course—”
