I let out a breath. “And we went back to his hotel room.”
“Oh man…and…”
“And…we hooked up. It was just one time.”
“What were you thinking?” Petal hissed in a low tone, but with a sparkle in her eyes that suggested she liked this new.
I shrugged. “I was thinking I’d get him out of my system once and for all.”
“You’re either lying to yourself or an idiot.”
I pursed my lips at her.
“Did you really think having sex with the man you’d once loved, probably still love, the man that gave you Maya, would make you want him less? To me that’s a recipe for addiction.”
I waved her comment away. “It’s over. Done. Right now, my focus is taking care of Maya and me. Including finding us a new place because I can’t get out from under August totally if I live in the house. Especially when he finds out that Jude is back and that I’m working for him. He’ll go ballistic.”
Petal nodded in agreement. “It’s odd the way you jumped on the job Jude offered so quickly. I mean you could have looked around. Or started your own business. You’ve already got me as a client. Are you sure you’re not still carrying a torch for Jude?”
“I’m sure,” I huffed out annoyed, because in truth, I wasn’t sure. When he kissed me today, my first instinct was to kiss him back, and get naked so he could fuck me on his desk. “So sure, that I have to look for another place than the one I’d gone to the other day. Jude is renting there. If I were desperate for him, wouldn’t I want to be his neighbor?”
She smirked. “Or you protest too much. You want him, but you don’t want to want him. Temptation is easier to deal with when it’s not around. Which again makes me wonder why you’re working for him.”
“Which is it Petal? I’m avoiding him or wanting to be with him. You have to make up your mind.”
“No honey, you have to make up yours. In the meantime, you and Maya can stay here with me. You two would have to share a room, but it’s yours. I have toys here for Maya and you know I love having her around.”
“I couldn’t put you out like that. Plus, living above a bakery, I think the scent would make me gain weight.”
Petal laughed. “I can’t say if smelling sweet baked goods will cause weight gain, but the invite is sincere. You and Maya are here a lot anyway. Why not move in until things with August blow over or you find another place?”
“I hate to put you out, but actually, I’d like that. Just for a short time.”
“Yes!” Petal cheered and then gave me a hug. “It will be like a 24-7 sleepover.”
I laughed. “I’ll pick up some things for us and be by after work tomorrow.”
“Perfect.”
“Maya!” I called. She came running into the kitchen. “How would you feel about us staying with Petal for a little bit.”
Maya looked at Petal and then me. “Like live here?”
“Just for a little bit until we find our own home.”
“I like staying here, but won’t Uncle Auggie miss us?”
“Uncle Auggie needs to live his own life and we need to live ours.”
“You can help me in the bakery,” Petal said.
Maya’s eyes lit up. “Yay!”
15
Jude
I have been pushed to my physical and mental limits by the U.S. military. I’d faced insurgents and carried out missions that had equal chances of ending in my death as my survival. But nothing had challenged me more than working around April and having to hide my feelings and desires. Being with her but not being able to touch her was a unique form of torture that was slowly killing me inside.