Eight Long Years (Heart of Hope 5)

The next day, I walked in expecting April to be at her desk and when she wasn’t, I felt like I’d been punched in the gut. Like she was choosing August over me.

Where was she?

I headed to Cyrus’ office.

“Hey, Jude. I’ve been through your report for Mr. Lassen. I think you hit all the salient points. We should arrange to meet him.”

I leaned against the door jamb of his office. “Sounds good. Do you know where April is?”

Cyrus sighed and I knew this wasn’t going to be good. He picked up an envelope and handed it to me. “She was in earlier. She left this.”

Fuck. Another letter telling me to take a hike?

“What is it?” I pulled the single sheet from the envelope.

“It’s her resignation.”

“Fuck!” I read over the letter. It was professional. There was no talk about August being a fucking asshole. No discussion of her relationship with me. No mention of what was best for Maya. Just gratitude at being afforded the opportunity to work for us. Then she said how she was sure we’d be a success. It was all such bullshit.

I remembered what August had done, and for a minute, I wondered if this was his doing. But this was hand written and Cyrus said she’d delivered it personally.

I crumpled it up and walked out.

“Jude!” Cyrus called.

I stopped because he was my business partner and I couldn’t go off half-cocked with his life on the line too.

“What are you going to do?” he asked standing and coming around his desk.

“I’m going to get April.”

“And her brother’s threat to ruin you?”

I put my hands on my hips and looked down for a moment. Then I looked Cyrus in the eyes. “He can try, but I’m not without leverage. August is known in town, but not necessarily liked and respected. Me, I’ve been gone, but the only bridge I burned when I left was with August.”

Cyrus studied me for a moment. “Okay.” It was heady how much trust he was giving me.

“And if I’m wrong, I’ll give you all my assets and whatever else I can give to make it right, Cy. But I can’t lose her again. I just fucking can’t.”

He nodded. “Then you should go get her.”

I made a b-line straight to Petal’s thinking she’d better be there. Of course, if she’d gone back to the house or to work for her brother, I’d go there. I didn’t give a shit if August threw a fit at my showing up.

I jerked open the door to the bakery.

Petal’s head snapped up and she smiled. “I knew you’d be here. She’s upstairs. Maya is at summer camp. So, you have her to yourself.”

I stared at her. “It’s nice to have someone on my side.”

“I’m on April’s side, Jude. But I know you are too.”

I walked into the back and to the stairs that led up to the second-floor apartment. I knocked, but was prepared to bust the door down if necessary. God, I hoped I didn’t end up in jail for disorderly conduct or kicking August’s ass before this was all said and done.

April opened the door. My breath hitched like I was seeing an oasis after a long drought, even though it had only been a day since I’d seen her. But then I noted the dark circles under her eyes, and how sad she appeared.

I was about to pull her into my arms, but she stepped back. “What are you doing here, Jude?”

That stopped me short. “I tore up your resignation.”