Stone Cold

In a frenzied instant, their friendship flashes before me—at least what I know if it.

The loss of their mothers, stories of their boyhood, their infallible loyalty …

While the two of them continue to scream words at each other they’ll probably regret one day, I dash upstairs, throw last night’s clothes on, grab my things, and go.

Jude isn’t perfect.

Neither is Stone.

But they’ve always had each other, and I can’t come between that.

Chapter Fifty

Stone

* * *

I make my way to Jovie’s apartment door Sunday morning, a paper gift bag in hand. She left in the midst of all the chaos yesterday at my house, and I haven’t been able to reach her since. She isn’t returning my calls or texts, and while I don’t blame her, I still need to know she’s okay.

There was a lot that didn’t get unpacked.

I can only imagine what she’s thinking … and what she’s assuming … especially when it comes to the conversation Jude and I had in Tulum.

I rap on her door and wait. There isn’t a floorboard creak, the hum of a TV in the background, or any other sign of life. I noticed her car parked out front when I got here, but it doesn’t mean she’s home.

Taking a seat on her welcome mat, I place the gift bag beside me and wait.

When she’s ready to talk, I’ll be here.

Until then, I’ve got nothing but time.

Chapter Fifty-One

Jovie

* * *

I round the block towards my apartment and tighten Domino’s leash. Yesterday, Ida decided to attend a quilting convention upstate and she asked if I could stay at her place and watch her dog overnight. The renovations were apparently complete and she made a point to tell me her guest room was all ready for me.

Desperate for a distraction from the events of that morning, I didn’t hesitate to tell her yes. I’d have said yes anyway, but her request couldn’t have come at a better time.

I packed an overnight bag, put my phone on silent, and spent my Saturday night with a spotted mutt, delivery pizza, and a Grey’s Anatomy marathon.

None of it made me think of Stone any less.

“Hold up, buddy,” I say when I spot Jude’s car parked out front. On closer inspection, I surmise that he’s not in it, which means he’s probably at my door. “This way, Domino.”

I lead him to my building and we make our way through the front door and up the stairs to my unit. He whimpers the instant he smells Stone. Within seconds, he’s pulling on his leash so hard I worry he’ll choke himself, so I unclasp the lead. He darts to Stone, who’s sitting on my doormat, and he smothers him in wet kisses. The poor thing is wagging his tail so hard, the rest of his body wags with it.

Stone gives him a satisfying scratch behind the ear, all the while dodging his wet slurps, and eventually manages to get on his feet.

“Hi,” I say.

“Hi,” he says. “I’ve been trying to reach you.”

“Yeah.” Lowering my chin, I say, “I thought we could use a little bit of space after yesterday.”

He frowns, his hooded eyes squinting in the low light of this hallway. “Are you okay?”

“Of course,” I insist, injecting a lighter tone in my voice. But it isn’t true. I’m not okay. I was floating on cloud nine only to have it explode in my face unexpectedly. “A little shell-shocked, maybe, but I’ll be fine. What about you? Are you okay?”

I inspect his face for any black eyes or busted lips.

But he’s clean as a whistle.

As handsome as always.

“I am,” he says before scratching at his temple. “Jude on the other hand … he might need some time.”

“Some time for what?”

“To accept that this,” he motions between us, “isn’t going anywhere.”

I try to speak, but the words refuse to leave my tongue.

This isn’t what I expected at all after yesterday. In fact, I expected the exact opposite of this.

Stone steps closer, narrowing the distance between us and pinning me into place with his icy Alaskan blues.

“I wanted to clear something up that Jude said yesterday,” he says, his eyes searching mine. “When he told you I’m the one who talked him into ending things with you … it’s true.”

I rub my lips together as the sting of his words soak through me. At the time, I was hoping it was something Jude was making up in the heat of the moment. I wanted it to be a lie.

“I don’t understand,” I say, pressing my hand against his chest. “And just to be clear, I’m not angry … Jude breaking up with me was one of the best things that could have happened to me. I just want some context.”

Stone massages the back of his neck, peering over my shoulder as he searches for his words.