21. Harlow
Harlow
Luca delivered our main course with more jokes and a warm smile. I’d had takeout from Bianchi’s before, but sitting down and actually enjoying dinner here was something else. Jude’s presence didn’t hurt either.
The butternut squash ravioli on my plate was almost too beautiful to eat. But there was no way I wasn’t going to dig in. The crispy sage and buttery sauce smelled incredible.
I pulled out my phone and took a quick photo for the Autumn Creek socials.
The pasta sat on mismatched china, framed by delicate wineglasses, and you could just see Jude’s forearms resting on the table on the edge of the image.
He’d rolled up the sleeves of his shirt, Instagram was going to eat that up.
I bit back my grin and took a bite of my ravioli. Sweet squash and browned butter danced across my tongue. I moaned as I went in for another bite.
“Good?” Jude smirked.
“Mmm, delicious.”
His mouth opened to reply, but before he could, Luca was waving him over from another table.
“I think you’re being summoned.”
He groaned playfully but pushed up from his chair. “It’ll be you they’re wanting to talk to soon enough.”
I laughed and turned my gaze to the darkening Main Street outside the window.
If only. I might like Autumn Creek but somewhere like this would never need me.
It was too perfect for me to slot into life here.
And even if, my contract with the council only lasted another four weeks.
I had nothing else lined up and I needed to start applying for jobs.
The thought made me shiver. But I knew I should follow wherever my career took me, and that wouldn’t be here.
The town council had a tight budget, which didn’t involve hiring a full-time marketing role.
I turned, following the sound of laughter, finding Jude across the room.
There were three other tables enjoying dinner—Margot, another influencer, and a critic from a local paper, along with various plus ones—and every eye was fixated on him.
His height demanded attention in any room, but it was so much more than that.
He had a certain magnetism that radiated off him, along with a devastating smile, and golden eyes.
Captivating golden eyes.
I was sure he’d met everyone here already, and knew them, their parents, spouse, and children, each by name.
He’d probably helped them carry something to their vehicle or dog sat for them before, because that was just the kind of person he was.
At the very least, they would have definitely enjoyed a glass of Bramley Cider.
He sauntered back to our table, and I couldn’t help but let my gaze roam his body as he did. Somehow he looked just as good in a collared shirt and perfectly pressed dress pants as he did in jeans and a dirt dusted flannel shirt.
Then his eyes caught mine. Emphasis on caught, because he’d definitely seen me staring.
His brows raised, and I saw him bite back a smile. He sat, and eventually filled the silence between us. “They just wanted to say how much they’re looking forward to the festival.”
“Oh?”
His head cocked. “You don’t sound excited about that.”
“It’s just”—I inhaled deeply—“a lot of pressure, you know?”
“You don’t need to be worried. You’re doing an amazing job.”
“I’m just sitting here eating pasta, it’s not hard.”
“Don’t forget visiting alpacas, too.”
“Hey!” I shot back with a grin he’d managed to put on my face. “I was having a meeting with them, thank you very much.”
A boyish smile spread across his lips. “Exactly.”
I wanted to stew over my worries, but somehow he kept pulling me away from them. So I finished up my ravioli and pointed a fork at him across the table. “What’s with all the flattery tonight then?”
“Aren’t I allowed to compliment you?” He laughed, and it sounded like the crackle of a fire. It lit something deep inside of me.
Maybe it was the wine on top of that, although I’d only had a glass. Or perhaps I was actually getting comfortable. But I decided to be more bold. “I think you feel sorry for me, Jude. I can’t get over it. I think that’s why you’re being so lovely.”
“You think I’m lovely?”
“I think you pity me after yesterday.”
He shook his head. “What I actually think is that you’re damn strong to deal with someone like that, and then to stand up for yourself and leave it all. Also you’ve dealt with moving to this insignificant town pretty well. It’s impressive.”
“It’s not…” I brought my glass up to my lips while I considered the word. “Insignificant. It’s beautiful. Plus, it’s not like I had anywhere better to go.”
“Where is home for you then?”
My breath hitched in my throat, and Jude’s eyes darkened as he caught my uneasiness.
“I don’t think I really have one. Definitely not one I can go back to whenever I want.
My parents have always travelled for work and for fun, whenever they can, really.
They’re almost nomadic. So, growing up I was never in one place for too long.
” Something inside of me sank but I spoke as casually as I could manage. “They love it.”
“They do?” A crease formed between his brows. “I imagine that’s not always easy.”
“It suits some people,” I replied with a half smile as I left a few more words unsaid. Just not me.
Over the years, with more life experience and therapy, I realized I craved stability.
But my parents felt differently, they loved owning nothing more than they could fit in a suitcase and being in a different city every weekend.
Their jobs allowed for that kind of lifestyle.
They were very happy and I was happy for them, it was just different to what made me feel good.
So why was I bringing up these feelings?
Maybe because Jude seemed to have what I wanted—somewhere to call home. Or maybe it was because he saw through my defenses so quickly.
But there was a chance that it wasn’t an entirely bad thing. It felt almost freeing to have someone understand me like that, without having to trudge through all of the ups and downs and details.
I ran a hand through my hair, letting my anxieties wash away and I refocused my gaze. “Complimenting my perseverance isn’t going to get you anywhere.”
His eyes widened but he leaned in closer, forearms resting on the small table that was dwarfed under his shadow. “Then what will?” His eyes wandered lower, catching at my jaw, and then my collarbone. “Complimenting that pretty dress?”
“You’ve already done that,” I said in a hushed tone, leaning closer, too. He was magnetic, after all.
“Then let me do it again.” His eyes were the colour of apple cider in sunlight, and they pinned me in place. “You look magnificent, Harlow. Like the first leaf changing on a tree, I’m awestruck by you.”
My breath hitched. “Are you flirting with me, Jude Bramley?”
“What if I am?”
I drew my lip between my teeth, and his eyes followed the movement.
In that moment I realized that it was undeniably exhausting to be worrying and pushing things away because of a far off what-if.
What if I don’t fit into his life here? What if I can’t stay?
My fear of not being wanted somewhere was holding me back from opening myself up to trying.
My resolve was beginning to thaw, and for a second I let myself wonder what it would be like to let myself belong in this moment. In a place like this. With a guy like him.
Until someone clearing their throat made my walls jump back up.
“Dessert!” Luca said in a nervous singsong voice.
Jude sat back and cleared his throat. “Is that pumpkin?”
Luca set down the plates, looking more at ease now. “White chocolate pumpkin ganache, gingersnap base, and candied pecans. And those are edible leaves on top.”
“Looks magnificent,” Jude replied with a smile, but heat rushed through my body at the word. It was the same one he’d used to describe me.
I’d been called a few nice honeyed words before, but never once had I been called magnificent. Certainly not by a man as handsome and alluring as Jude Bramley.
My thighs pressed together as I tried to ignore my pulse shuddering throughout my body. I tried to focus on the dessert, but nothing looked as good as his lips did right now.