Mila #2
I sat back and ate it, and as the flavor hit, I let out a little squeak. “That is delicious.”
With a smirk, he went back to tearing the cheese.
“One time, when I was in Tuscany,” I said, wiping at the corners of my mouth, “I got this mozzarella from a farmers’ market that was so good I actually cried.”
Jude arched a brow. “Cried?”
“Yes. I am not one of those women who pretends to be all cool and emotionless. And if you can’t cry tears of joy about really good cheese, are you even living?”
He held out another piece, and I eagerly snatched it from his hand. “You know, you’re full of surprises, Trouble.”
“Why, thank you.” I popped the mozzarella into my mouth. “And don’t think you’re off the hook, either. I wanna know why you haven’t met a nice girl and settled down yet.”
“I’ve met and dated a few nice girls. Women, really. And while I appreciate them in different ways, I haven’t—”
I shook my head. “Wait a second. You’re being too nice. Are you friends with an ex?”
“Yes,” he said, as if it was the most natural thing in the world.
“One of them?”
“All of them.” He rinsed his hands and wiped them on a towel. “I’ve only had a few serious relationships, but of course I’ve remained friendly.”
With a hand to my chest, I let out an exaggerated gasp.
“I’m not sure what you guys do in the city, but I was taught to treat women with respect. I even introduced Morgan to the man she’s now married to.”
I almost spit out my wine. “You’re kidding me.”
“No ma’am.” He pulled a bottle of olive oil out of a cabinet. “We fizzled, but when Miles and I worked together on a logging crew and I realized how into D&D he was, I figured they’d hit it off.”
“You’re not into D&D?” I interrupted. “Mister graphic novel and ironic T-shirt collections?”
“I am a casual D&D fan,” he clarified. “But Miles would organize games with people on the crew.”
“Ah, I get it. So this Morgan girl loved D&D too, and that’s a match made in nerd heaven.”
“No.” He shook his head as he spread cheese over the dough.
“She loves fantasy books. You know, the spicy ones with dragons and shifters and stuff. Like the one Willa gave you. She was always going on about Fae and fated mates. She’s imaginative and passionate, and so is he. Figured they’d be compatible.”
Wow. I was floored by his thoughtful response. And his kindness toward his ex.
“And they got married?” I guessed.
He smiled. “Yes. And I officiated.”
A bark of a laugh escaped me, echoing off the ceiling. “So you’re a matchmaker?”
“No. But I don’t just discard the people I care about. And while I don’t think I’m cut out for happily ever after, that doesn’t mean I can’t help out those who are.”
When I didn’t respond, he regarded me with curiosity.
“Lemme guess. You’re a salt-of-the-earth, fire-and-brimstone kinda girl.”
My heart stuttered. I felt very called out.
“Maybe,” I said. “I have never had a serious relationship, and I don’t like any of the guys I’ve casually dated in the past. And I sure as shit would never fix them up with a friend.”
He nodded. “So you’ve never wanted a serious relationship?”
“No.” I pressed my lips together and shook my head.
“I can’t say I’ve never considered it, but for most of my adult life, it hasn’t seemed practical.
When Hugo and I were young, our parents adored each other.
I could feel the love they shared. The glances they’d give each other over the dinner table.
The way Dad would randomly bring Mom flowers and how she’d make liver for dinner every Thursday because it was his favorite, even though she hated it as much as we did. ”
He gagged. “Even I don’t eat liver.”
“And that’s saying something, because you’re a health nut.”
A scoff slipped out of him. “I believe in putting decent stuff into my body, and I happen to enjoy good food.”
“Oh I know, and I’m not complaining.” I stole a slice of bell pepper from the cutting board and gave his very impressive body a once-over. “But as for my parents, it couldn’t last forever. Dad fought his demons for so long, but in the end, they took him.”
He nodded. “Did they divorce?”
“God no. She hung on for years, after rehab failed and he drained their retirement savings.” The thought made my chest ache. “It wasn’t until he died that she truly understood how long he’d actually been gone. And I think that hurt more.”
“I’m sure.”
“But they had something beautiful, even though it didn’t last. And maybe that’s the best anyone can hope for.”
My words hung in the air. It was depressing to think about. But maybe a little hopeful. And I’d been feeling more hope since the night I showed up here a few weeks ago than I had in years.
“Your brothers are doing great,” I said, ready to move on from talk of my parents.
“Yes. But none of them got there easily. I do everything in my power to make sure they don’t fuck up. And if I’d known Gus—who I’m probably closest to, even if Noah is my twin—had married Chloe when they were twenty, maybe I could have helped him figure shit out.”
“You didn’t know he was married?” I squeaked.
“Didn’t have a clue. They got married in secret, then had a big falling out and divorced. From there, they didn’t speak for twenty years.”
“That’s wild.”
“Then she marches into the conference room the day we’re closing on the sale of the business and declares she’s bought the company to spite him.
And now they’re happily in love, and my grumpy brother is reading books about infant brain development and making googly eyes at his wife during work meetings. ”
“Hmm…” I said, the wine and the good company mellowing me out a bit. “So what you’re saying is, even the most closed-off lumberjack has a chance?”
“Maybe.” He shrugged.
“Oh, Jude. I think there’s a girl out there, just waiting to knock you on your ass.”
I snatched another slice of pepper, but before I could pull my arm back, he caught it and stared into my eyes.
“I’ve already met her.” He rounded the island. “And she managed to kick my ass with only one good arm.”