I woke to an empty bed and for a minute, I wondered if yesterday, last night, was a dream. But I could smell his scent around me. The heat of his body was still in the mattress beside me. I heard a clanging in the other room.
I rose and went to the kitchen where I found Jude and Maya cooking together. She was standing on a chair next to him, whisking something in a bowl.
“Hi mama. We’re making pancakes.”
Jude turned to look at me. “Good morning.” He winked, and in it I saw a sexy kiss that he couldn’t give me because Maya was there.
“Good morning. Pancakes huh?”
“We had to run out to the grocery to get the goods,” he said.
“I’m doing an experiment, mama.”
“Oh?” I came to stand on the other side of her.
She held a ladle with batter, and drizzled it out in the pan in a pattern that made it look like a funnel cake.
“See there are still holes in it. The syrup can fill it,” she explained.
“Smart.” I kissed her cheek.
Jude tilted his cheek to me, clearly expecting a kiss too. For a moment, I hesitated. Should I be showing him affection in front of Maya, especially since it was unclear what was going to happen between us?
But then I remembered all he’d lost and had to endure because of August. It was cruel to withhold affection, especially when I felt it so deeply. I kissed his cheek.
Maya giggled. “Two little love birds.”
My phone rang, interrupting the perfect family morning. When I saw it was August, I cursed him for having such bad timing. I considered ignoring it, but I had to face him head on. My job. My home. My family. He couldn’t have any sway over it anymore.
“I’ll take this in the living area,” I said to them.
Jude arched a brow, like maybe he knew it was August, but then Maya distracted him. “That one looks like a heart, doesn’t it, daddy.”
“It sure does sweetie.”
In the other room, I poked the answer button. “August.”
“We need to talk, April.”
“Yes, we do.”
“Can you meet me at Skip’s for brunch. In an hour.”
“Now?” I was thinking I could meet him tomorrow, although that was a workday.
“The sooner the better.”
“Okay, but no ambushing me with another eligible bachelor.” I looked over to the kitchen, and saw Jude scowling. I blew him a kiss.
“Just us,” August said. “Will you be there?”
“Yes. Skips, one hour.” I hung up the phone and blew out a breath.
“I take it you’re going to see August?” Jude said, flatly.
I nodded. “He and I have some things we need to work out.”
“He’s probably lonely,” Maya said. “He’s all by himself.”