Yeah, Jude couldn't stand him.
Dragging Chaz by the hand, Gemma hurried him upstairs.
Jude set the computer on the island. The laptop had added believability to the idea of a business meeting, but it was an awkward prop to be holding when greeting Gemma's mom.
The song “Shut Up and Dance” erupted from above, then Gemma ran down the stairs. “I turned on music so Chaz can't hear what's being said out here. Sorry about all this. I didn't know—”
A key turned in the door and Gemma's mother appeared in the opening. Her mouth fell open with joy at the sight of the two of them together.
He'd always been excellent with his girlfriends' mothers. They'd all loved him. It appeared his fake girlfriend's mother felt the same. Wonder how she'd react if she knew Gemma's real boyfriend was stuffed in the bedroom?
“Jude!” Simone said. “You're still in town?”
“I am.” He moved forward and hugged her.
She released him from the hug, beaming. “Is that your car outside?”
“Yes.” Improv was part of undercover work. That didn't mean he relished scenarios like this one. He might as well be riding a passenger train derailing in slow motion.
“He's about to head to the airport to fly back to New York.” Gemma interlaced her hand with his. “So, so sad. We're having our last few minutes together before he goes.”
“I won't intrude. I just stopped by to drop off some of the cannelloni I made earlier.” She pulled a container from her large purse and passed it to Gemma.
“Thank you.”
“You're welcome.” Simone fiddled with her car keys. Music blared from the bedroom. “Is it a little loud in here?” she asked Gemma. “It's hard to hear myself think.”
“It's just the right amount of loud in here,” Gemma answered. “Jude loves this song.” She sang along with the chorus, pounding one hand into the air in sync with the beat. “Shut up and dance with me.”
He definitely did not love this song, but he did love the sight of her singing it to him.
“Well.” Gemma blew a strand of hair out of her eyes. “Just a few minutes left before Jude will have to leave.” She leaned the side of her face against his shoulder and it felt . . . right. Real. Good in all the ways that seeing her with Chaz had felt awful.
“It's terrible to be separated from the one you love. I should know.” Simone headed toward the door, then stopped and looked back at him. “I saw a butterfly the other day and thought of you.”
“Oh?”
“It was black. There were blue dots at the edges of its wings and a yellow outline. What variety do you think that was?”
Gemma's posture tightened.
“That sounds like a mourning cloak,” he answered. “They're one of the species that overwinters in Maine and emerges in the spring.” If Jude McConnell liked butterflies, then give Jude Camden any amount of time at all, and butterfly information would be studied. As it had been.
“My favorite butterfly expert,” Gemma said affectionately.
“I didn't know what to make of that hobby when I first heard about it,” Simone admitted. “But now that I've had time to contemplate, I think it's wonderful. It's always good for men to get in touch with their gentler side.”
He didn't want a gentler side that had to do with butterflies. In fact, if he never had to hear or speak another word about butterflies, he'd be happy.
“Bye, Mom!” Gemma said.
“Jude, it's wonderful to see Gemma with a man like you. Some of her past boyfriends . . .” Simone winced.
“Mom,” Gemma warned.
“I'll be off, then.”
Once Simone had gone, Gemma clicked the door closed and broke contact between them. “Now you can go, and I'll release Chaz from captivity.”
