Chapter 7 – Mabel
Chapter Seven
MABEL
My avoidance strategy has been working great for around nine hours. I haven’t seen Jude since family dinner and have been able to all but block out my meltdown and the lapse in judgement that resulted in throwing myself into his arms.
I know I can’t avoid him forever.
Just a little longer, if I can help it.
I’ve been needing to drop off receipts from last week’s market sales.
Elle not-so-subtly asked what I was doing today, and if I could drop in when I was free and bring them to her today.
Which is very un-Elle. She sticks to a schedule and does her best to keep her focus on work when it’s time to be working .
Elle was all about keeping to a schedule while at work. Her asking me to ‘drop in’ when I was free was very unlike her. Anxiety twists my guts as I think about my last meeting with one of my sisters.
We all know how that turned out.
The only bright side of what I’m assuming is going to be an interrogation and subsequently Elle telling me how much of a ‘fucking idiot’ I am is the fact that Jude should be no where near the Education Center and Elle’s office.
I’ve refused to learn what Jude’s job duties entail since Lola announced his promotion, but based on our conversation about shadowing, there’s no reason I can think of for him to be anywhere.
The lovebirds office should be a safe zone.
“Are you joking?” The voice that haunts my dreams rumbles out.
You have got to be KIDDING me.
It takes everything I have to not let the exasperated groan that’s bubbling in my gut escape. “Nope!” Patrick replies as he lets out a chuckle before slapping Jude on the shoulder and crossing the room to me. “Mabel, how’s my favorite older sister-in-law?”
He doesn’t give me a chance to respond, his arms wrap around me, pulling me into a bear hug. I’m pulled out of my shock when his curls tickle and irritate my nose . I give him a quick squeeze in return before pushing him away from me.
“I’m the only older sister you have.”
It’s difficult to keep my gaze off of Jude, my body feels acutely tuned to him. It doesn’t help that he’s huge, taking up more space than any one man should.
“Well, this is fucking awkward. Mabel, get your ass in here.” Elle’s voice booms throughout the main room and I jump with a squeak, pulled out of my rumination about Jude’s body.
I shuffle across the room to my sister, my sandals smacking against the linoleum.
I can see the question painted on her face when she sees how red my cheeks are from thinking about Jude’s body but I ignore it, speaking before she has a chance to open her mouth.
“Let’s get this over with. Very busy today. ”
“Have fun, sweetheart!” Patrick calls out as Elle shuts the door, walking past me to return to to her seat behind her dual computer screens.
Despite the fact that I feel like my stomach is going to fall out of my butt, I can’t stop the joy I feel when I get to see the love Patrick and Elle have for each other.
Elle, as usual, is all business. Her focus is on her computer screen but she holds her hand out for my documents.
I hand over all the receipts and log of what is and isn’t selling.
I’ve always been a little restless but the run in with Jude just now has thrown me even further out of my regular loops.
Stupid giant-sister’s-right-hand hottie.
Stupid jerk who made me wetter than my last three hook-ups without even touching me.
Stupid tree trunk thigh perfect for grind-
“Alright, spill.” Elle’s no nonsense voice pulls me out of my spiral.
She’s got her signature ‘you’re wasting my time’ glare and despite the fact I’m the eldest, I have no interest in giving up all of my secrets.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.
” I sniff indignantly, Elle rolls her eyes in response.
Classic little sister move.
Elle’s nostrils flare as she huffs out an annoyed breath.
As a very responsible adult who is about to turn thirty-one, I stick my tongue out and cross my eyes.
I do my best to hold it until I hear my younger sister grumble.
“Alright, enough. You’re making me nauseated.
” I can hear the mirth in her voice. Elle has really opened up in the last year and I’ve been so happy to be able to grow our relationship.
“Okay, okay. Let’s get to the serious stuff. What time are we going to The Salon?” I rub my hands together like a cartoon villain.
It’s been our sibling tradition to head to the only beauty parlor in Honeyville and get pedicures for our birthdays. It had originally started as a sister tradition as pre-teens before Paul pointed out that it wasn’t okay to keep him out of the activity just because he had a penis.
He was right, of course, and was immediately added to the tradition.
My stomach flips at the thought of Paul and reminds me of the hate he holds for the man standing in the other room.
It’s been a year and a half and Paul still refuses to explain to me what Jude did to him to cause such a strong dislike.
It’s a painful idea that he won’t share with me because we aren’t as close as thought we were.
Lola may have been Paul’s twin and while they do have a special bond, I’ve always felt a special connection with my little brother.
“I’m thinking about Saturday around lunch?
Paul has to go out of town for some handyman conference which means it will just be the three of us.
I’d thought of inviting Anika but decided against it, Mama already strong-armed her into coming to the cabin.
I don’t want to overwhelm her when she’s just starting to come back around. ”
I nod my head in agreement. Before Henry was born and her relationship with Paul was in a better place, Anika had been like another sister to all of us and we’ve all missed her in the last few years.
“I’m fine with that Saturday as long as it works for Lola.” Elle confirms she’d already discussed and confirmed that the day works for all of our schedules. There’s not much left to discuss work or personal life-wise but I find myself hesitating to leave.
I have no way of knowing if Jude has left the Education Center and I really don’t want to see him.
I’m overwhelmed by everything happening right now and knowing that I’m going to be around him more than necessary soon feels like it’s going to be the last push to make me finally go completely crazy.