10. Harlow #2
“Here.” He sat on a bench and held out one of the cookies that I’d been eyeing up before. A thick sugar cookie with cinnamon chai icing on it.
“Oh, you don’t have to give up one of yours. I can—”
“I insist. Seriously, it’s part of my plan to make you love Autumn Creek. Brie’s Biscuits are an essential.”
“Thanks then.”
His fingers brushed against mine as I took the cookie from his hand and bit into it. It was even better than it smelled. The cinnamon and nutmeg paired with creamy frosting coated my tongue. I couldn’t help but let out a groan.
“I told you they’re good.” He chuckled.
I finished my mouthful and caught Jude’s eyes on me before he averted them to the market around us. I couldn’t help but remember the first time we’d toured Main Street together a few days ago.
“Look, I should apologize.” I handed him the other half of the cookie as his gaze focused on me again. “About storming off the other day. It was rude and unprofessional.”
Before I could actually say I was sorry, Jude leaned closer. “Absolutely not. You don’t need to apologize. I was being a dick.”
“You were just asking questions—”
“And I’m not entitled to an answer from you.
” He sighed and his sweater-clad shoulders dropped.
“I’m a stubborn guy. I know I’m very protective of this town.
But I was being far too apprehensive, and I shouldn’t have taken it out on you.
I guess I just felt like I was missing something and I needed to fill in the gaps to really trust you. ”
I could feel the tension in my face melting away as he spoke so candidly.
“You’re clearly good at what you do, and I shouldn’t have judged you for things going on outside of work. I trust you with this, okay?”
I let out a shaky breath. “Falling into town the day before work starts isn’t usually my style.
” I knew I didn’t owe him an answer, but he was being honest with me and it seemed like we worked well together when we got going.
I wanted to open up. “This wasn’t in my plan.
I was meant to work remotely, most of the time.
And I was supposed to move to Ottawa…” I swallowed dryly. “With my boyfriend.”
His dark brows raised. “Oh.”
“But obviously, I’m here.” I choked out a nervous laugh.
I hadn’t really spoken to anyone about this besides Kasey.
I’d shot off a quick text to my parents, and they were kind, but as always so objective and calm, like the academics they were.
It felt good to vent. “Ex-boyfriend now. I caught him cheating a few hours after I landed in Ottawa. So, I up and left. I ended up here to focus on work.” I finally met his gaze as I finished my rant.
Jude’s jaw was ticking and his golden eyes had darkened. “Harlow, that’s terrible. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be, I met Kasey and she helped out and—”
“I was an asshole to you, after all of that.”
“You were being wary.” I rolled back my shoulders and sat up straighter. “It’s in the past. I just want to focus on the festival.”
“Me too. If you’ll let me start again.” He reached out a hand between us.
I took it with a laugh. “You don’t need to do that. You’re not that bad, Jude.” I shook it anyway, and somewhere in the back of my head I might’ve been enjoying the way his larger hand felt enveloping mine. I needed to stop letting my thoughts run wild like this.
“Well, you can call in a favour whenever you want. I owe you. If you need someone to deal with that guy—”
“I won’t be needing that. He’s so far out of my mind. But thanks.”
Finally, our hands dropped away from the handshake that wasn’t really a handshake anymore. But before either of us could mention it, Kasey swept past us carrying more bags of milk than she could realistically hold.
“Whoa, Kase.” Jude jumped up and grabbed some out of her hands. “What are you doing with all that?”
She leaned over, her wavy brown hair spilling out in front of her face as she caught her breath. “Autumn Creek is desperate for lattes today. People are seriously going to break a window if I don’t get back in there.”
I let out a laugh at the adorable small-town trouble, and got up from the bench to grab some bags.
“Harlow, I didn’t even see you over all that milk,” she exclaimed as she pulled her hair back into a scrunchie with her now free hands.
“It’s all good. Let’s get these to the cafe before someone destroys something.”
I followed the Bramleys across the street to Sweater Weather Books & Brew, and watched as the line inside the cafe rejoiced at Kasey’s supply run. Jude and I set down the milk as she wrangled the patrons, then I followed him to the back of the store, near one of the new release tables.
I leaned over the books to whisper, “Is it always like this?”
“We’re addicted to Kasey’s lattes. Apparently, the Foxtail High PTA moms especially.”
I hadn’t even realized that Kasey had walked over to us until she said, “Explaining all of the town’s intricacies?”
I jumped back a little. I also hadn’t noticed how far I’d leaned into Jude’s space until now.
He rolled his eyes. “It helps to know.”
Kasey turned to me, cocking her head. “Got any plans tonight?”
“Not really.”
“Good.” Her green eyes lit up. “It’s time for your first night out in Autumn Creek.”
I glanced down at my outfit, dark wash jeans and a knitted cardigan, and drew my lip between my teeth. It’s a bit casual. “I’d love that! But maybe I should go home and change first?” I hadn’t been out on a girls’ night in so long, the idea of it had me feeling almost giddy. “Where are we going?”
Maybe this was just what I needed. Let loose a little. Get out there. Stop overthinking about my co-worker or the relationship I left. Just relax for a night.
Jude butted in, “Nah. You look good, Harlow.”
His gaze wandered over me just as Kasey replied, “There’s only one place to go out here. The Crabapple.”