“I just feel lucky.”
“Haven’s a good man, and you’re good for him.”Having been friends with Jude for many years, I knew the brothers well.Like all of them, Haven had struggled in the aftermath of their father's passing, followed by the wildfire and losing Bree.Since Elsa had moved here, her presence visibly lightened his mood.
Moments later, we were walking into the resort.We passed a few guests milling about in the main area.Maggie was busy talking with some of them.We slipped through the public part of the kitchen into the private area.The second I walked into that room, I heard Jude’s voice.
The sound alone was like a fire on my nerves.
ChapterThirteen
Jude
When I happened to glance up at the sound of footsteps and my eyes landed on Kendall’s curls, every cell in my body fired, like an engine revving.Elsa was talking with her, and as soon as they came in, my mom followed.
“Kendall!”She gave her a big hug.My mom adored Kendall.I sensed she had known far longer than I wished that I had a crush on Kendall.
Somebody snapped their fingers, the sound bringing my attention back.Asher waggled his brows.“Always distracted with her.”
“What do you mean?”I hedged.
Haven chuckled.
“Kendall,” was all Asher said.
I rolled my eyes, trying to play it cool.“She’s my friend.”
“Uh-huh,” Asher drawled.
I narrowed my eyes.“What’s with this?”
“What’s with what?”Haven chimed in.
“You guys reacting to me just looking over because Kendall walked into the room.”
My older brother let out a sigh, clapping me on the shoulder.“Love you, man.Some-fucking-day you will face your feelings.”
Asher snorted, and I just rolled my eyes, relieved when Tommy came skidding into the kitchen.He almost collided with our mom.
She reached out a hand to steady him on the shoulder.“Slow down, hon.”
“Sorry, Grandma.What’s for dinner?”he asked.
“It’s always about the food with this one,” Haven said dryly.
“I’m hungry and it’s dinnertime.Shouldn’t we be hungry for dinner?”Tommy asked practically.
“We absolutely should.”I smiled down at him, reaching out to ruffle his hair.“Kind of miss your purple hair, dude.”
Tommy let out a heartfelt sigh.“It was high maintenance.”
Elsa approached and stopped beside me, letting out a bemused laugh.“High maintenance?”
Tommy nodded, running his fingers through his short, brown hair.“Yeah.I mean, I had to keep the purple up, and I only liked it when it was bright purple.I didn’t like it when it faded.”He shrugged, letting out a put-upon sigh.“Maintenance, you know.”
Kendall stopped beside Elsa, grinning down at Tommy.“I do know.That’s why I do this.”She pointed to her curls spun up in their usual ponytail.
Tommy nodded solemnly.“I understand.I’m going to keep my hair short for the rest of my life.No more dyeing, no more anything that I have to style.”
“If you change your mind, I’ll help you dye it again,” Elsa offered.
