The quiet settled in after her.
I finished the last of the cleaning, double-checked everything, and then walked to the front to lock up.
The click of the lock sounded louder than usual.Or maybe it just felt that way.
I grabbed my bag, turned off the remaining lights, and headed out the back to my car.
I slid into the driver’s seat and shut the door, sitting there for a second before starting the engine.
And then, because my brain hated me, I thought about earlier.
About Jude.
About the way he had followed me home.
About the way he had walked into my house like it was the most normal thing in the world.
About the way he had made sure I was safe.
Jesse hadn’t done that.
The thought hit before I could stop it.
Jesse had come to see me when he got back.That was good, and that mattered, but… he hadn’t been there when I needed help.
He hadn’t followed me home.
He hadn’t—“No,” I said out loud.I shook my head and gripped the steering wheel.
Nope.
Not doing that.
Jude wasn’t interested in me.
He had never been interested in me.
He was just being nice.Just helping.
I started the car and pulled out of the lot.“Focus on Jesse,” I muttered.
Because that was the smart choice and the right choice.
And I was going to stick to it.
I had to.
Chapter Fourteen
Jude
“Spill.”
I looked up from the bar, one elbow resting on the worn wood, the other hand loosely hanging at my side.
“Or I’m not serving you,” Thorn added, polishing a glass like he was about to deny me something real serious.
I huffed out a laugh.“I just want water.”
