Insta-Ever After: A Flirt Club Novella Collection Page 10

  “I had Brett reschedule. You’re daft if you think I’d miss something as big as your graduation.”

  I crush my lips to his, not caring that my mom is right there, that my friends are watching. All I know is I need to be kissing the man I love almost more than I need my next breath.

  “I need to tell you something,” I say after I break our kiss. “It’s…well, it’s going to change everything.”

  His face pales and he glances down my body. “You’re not—”

  “Oh, God, no. No, I’m not pregnant.”

  “Good,” he says, then he frowns. “Well, not good as in, we’re never going to be in this situation. Good as in, good because we’re not even engaged yet and I’d really like to have you as my wife before we have a baby.”

  “Jude?” I whisper.

  “Yes?”

  “You’re rambling.”

  He presses his forehead to mine and stares into my eyes. “That’s because I’m nervous.”

  “Me too.”

  “About what?”

  I take a deep breath and decide to just let it all out. “I got accepted for a master’s program at Oxford.”

  He backs away and takes a long look at me. “Did I hear you right? You’re moving to Oxford?”

  “Yes. I…I hoped you’d be happy. You don’t seem happy.”

  “I am. I want nothing more than for us to be together all the time.” He drags a hand through his hair and laughs. “That’s why I just accepted a position there, as a professor. I wanted to plant some roots for us before I asked you to marry me. No more of this traveling back and forth.”

  Oh no. Now we really are going to be a student and professor, nothing temporary about it. What if we can’t be together? Wait…what did he just say?

  “Did you say…marry you?”

  He closes his eyes and steps back from me. “I did. Matilda Summers, I fell in love with you over a whiskey sour in one intense night. I had planned to do this in private, but I can’t wait any longer. Will you marry me? Be my wife, my partner, and my best friend for the rest of our lives.”

  My smile is so wide my cheeks hurt. “Yes. Of course.”

  He slips the ring on my finger but I don’t even look at it. I swear, it could be made of paper and I’d love it, because it represents us and our bond. Jude wraps me in his arms and kisses me deep as the crowd around us cheers.

  “What are we going to do about our forbidden romance when we get to Oxford?” I whisper.

  “Whatever we have to. There’s no way I’m giving you up. You’re mine, Tillie. No job is going to change that.”

  I kiss him again and know he’s right. No matter what the circumstances, he and I are forever.

  Epilogue 2 Edit Sober

  I watch my wife as she takes a red pen to a stack of paper, furiously editing her dissertation. Tillie is nearly done with her PhD program, she’s weeks away from presenting and becoming Doctor Matilda McGinnis. I couldn’t be more proud.

  In the end, after pleading our case with the dean at Oxford, I was able to keep my position teaching in the history department as long as we both agreed she’d never take one of my classes. It wasn’t hard. Her graduate studies never put her in the path of my subjects.

  I glance at our wedding photo and smile. We’d been married on a beach in Bali with our parents and siblings as witnesses. Some might call it fast, but I think it was perfect. She’s everything I could ever want.

  Tillie groans and stretches, her brow furrowing in concentration as she closes her eyes and takes long, slow breaths.

  “All right, darling?” I ask, taking a seat next to her.

  She opens her eyes and purses her lips, holding one finger up to tell me she needs a second. Then, all the color drains from her face and she pushes out of her chair and dashes down the hall. I hear the unmistakable sound of retching followed by the flush of the toilet. Water runs and I can hear she’s brushing her teeth.

  “Tillie? Are you okay?” Fear creeps into my chest. She’s made herself ill because she’s been working so hard. What kind of husband am I that I didn’t notice?

  “I’m fine.” She’s resting her hand on her stomach as she comes out of the bathroom. “But, there’s something I need to talk to you about.”

  “What is it?” I take her hand and pull her to me. “You’ve been working yourself too hard. Perhaps we need a change after you finish?”

  She shakes her head. “We’re going to have a big change. No need to plan one.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “I’m not sick.”

  “Yes, you are. You should go have a lie down.”

  “Jude.” Her tone is serious and I pull back to look at her.

  “Tillie?”

  “I’m pregnant.”

  I feel as though the floor has been pulled out from under me. Pregnant. We’re going to be parents.

  “What did you say?”

  “I’m having a baby. I found out last week while you were in Canada working on the show.”

  My break-out book was optioned for a mini-series last year and I’d been brought on as producer. That meant travel, but as Tillie had said, it didn’t make sense to say no.

  “Why didn’t you call me straight away?”

  “Are you seriously mad at me right now? I’ve only known for a week. I’m sick as a dog every day, and I’m pretty sure that means it’s twins.”

  Twins?

  “I’m sorry. God, I’m thrilled, I swear. You just caught me off guard. Why do you think it’s twins?”

  “My mom was so sick with Lucy and me. And, the blood work shows my HCG is higher than normal. We won’t know for sure until the scan.”

  I slide my hand over her lower belly, marveling at the knowledge my child—or children are growing inside her. “I love you. I can’t believe we’re having a baby.”

  “I know. It’s not the right ti—” I silence her with a kiss, pouring every ounce of love I have for her into the gesture.

  “It’s the right time. It’s the perfect time. You and I building a family couldn’t be wrong.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Absolutely. I can’t wait to watch our baby grow inside you. Fuck, it turns me on to even think of it.”

  Her breath hitches. “Me too. I thought it was a side effect of the hormones, but I want you so bad.”

  I scoop her into my arms and carry her up the stairs.

  She giggles and fights me playfully. “My dissertation!”

  “Leave it. Right now I need to show you exactly how I feel about putting a baby inside you.”

  “I love you, Jude,” she murmurs.

  “And I love you. Forever.”

  Langley

  “Only a few days left until we close down permanently,” my dad says, joining me on the porch of our family home. “It’s hard to believe.”

  The mid-December chill has left a soft dusting of frost on the branches of the neat rows of Christmas trees that span our property. I sigh and take a drink of my coffee. “I should have been here. I should have helped you.”

  Dad’s hand settles on my shoulder. “It’s not your fault. I downplayed how sick I was. Thought I could handle it on my own.”

  My chest tightens at the memory of the call from Mom. She finally broke and told me the stroke had done more damage than we thought. He didn’t have the heart to tell me. As soon as I got her call, I dropped everything and flew home. Now, feeling the shaking in his hand as he grips my shoulder, I know it was the right thing to do. I only wish I’d made this choice sooner.

  “You don’t have to sell. You know GPM is going to flatten the land and build some strip mall.”

  He shrugs. “We’re not making money. We can’t go on like this. I want to spend as much time as I can with your mother. I can’t do that now.”

  I drag a hand through my hair and fight the anger building in my blood. My dad has always been the strongest man I know, and now this disease has taken the fight out of him. “I’ll f
igure something out. This is your legacy. I can’t let you sell it.”

  Heaving a sigh, he nods. “Thank you for coming back. I’m sorry it has to be for something like this.”

  “Easton isn’t going on tour any time soon. And I can work on our new songs anywhere. I just need a guitar.”

  “My son, the rock star.” Pride shines through my dad’s words.

  “I’m not the rock star. That’s Easton. I just play in his band.”

  He shrugs. “You’re still on that stage, giving it your all.”

  “Well, until their baby is older, Easton has put everything on hold.” I take another drink and give thanks for my friend’s dedication to family. When I told him I had to leave, there was nothing but compassion in his eyes. “I won’t be touring for at least a year.”

  “And you’ve got enough saved to be out of work that long?”

  I nod. “I do just fine. East made sure the band got a percentage of royalties when he renegotiated his contract.” Unfortunately, I don’t have enough to buy out the mortgage on this place. I’d do it in a heartbeat.

  “Good. It’s good to have you home, son.” Dad leaves, heading for the warmth of the house I grew up in and, presumably, the pancakes Mom made most mornings.

  I stare out at the trees and marvel at the condition of the land. Even after his stroke, Dad worked to keep things in order. Unfortunately, there’s more to running a business than keeping things looking good. Advertising, events, maintenance, and of course, money. The bills for his treatment and therapy have been astronomical, but he won’t let me pay them. Stubborn old man.

  Walking inside, I head for the kitchen. Mom sits at the table with Dad at her side, his hands shaking so fiercely he can barely cut his pancakes. I watch as she gently takes the fork and knife from him and slices his food without speaking. Instead of being embarrassed, he smiles softly and leans in to kiss her.

  “I’ve got a few things to take care of,” I say, dumping my coffee into the sink and rinsing out the mug. “You need anything from the store, Mom? I’m going to set up the tree today, get this place ready for Christmas.”

  “Oh, you don’t have to do that. I’m just moving a little slower this year. I’ll get to it.”

  It’s ten days until Christmas. The cozy house is just as I remember it, but Mom loves the holidays and usually has everything out by the first day of November. Today I see a home that should be decorated and festive, instead it’s clouded under stress and medical bills.

  “I’m setting up the tree. You just tell me where you want it.”

  She smiles and nods. “Okay, honey.”

  “Is…uh, is Noelle still in town?” I ask, my stomach flipping at the mention of her. She is the one regret I have about leaving to join Easton.

  “I’m sure you’ll find her if you’re looking for something sweet.” My mom always makes me work to get what I want.

  “So she is here?”

  “She’s been back a while. You would know that if you’d come home for a visit.” That stings. But she’s right, it’s been too long.

  “I offered to bring you guys out while I was on tour.”

  Her face softens. “Honey, I didn’t mean it like that. It’s just been a long time since you’ve been here.”

  “I know. I just…I honestly didn’t want to face her. Not after the way we left things.”

  She nods and offers me a sad smile. “Sometimes it’s hard to have to own up to mistakes we make. But I’ve always thought you and Noelle had something special. Maybe you should use this time to fix your relationship with her rather than trying to fix our Christmas.”

  The thought of getting Noelle back sends a wave of determination through me. Mom is right on one account. I need to own up to my mistake. I might not be able to get her back, but I can at least make things right.

  I grab the keys to Dad’s old truck and wrap a thick scarf around my neck before I head out. A light snow has started to fall and I think of all the things we should be doing today. Selling cider and hot cocoa, the reindeer petting zoo, pictures with Santa, carolers, carriage rides through the property, the light display. All things that brought in customers who’d buy little knick-knacks from our shop. None of it has happened, and next to the sale of trees, that was what kept our farm in the black all these years.

  “It’s not too late,” I say to myself as I start the truck. But I’m not sure if I’m talking about the farm, Noelle, or both.

  Noelle

  “There you are, Mrs. Watson. Two dozen reindeer sugar cookies.” I pass the box containing individually wrapped and beautifully decorated—if I might add—cookies across the counter to my first customer of the morning.

  “Noelle, these are absolutely perfect. The kids are going to love them. Thanks for opening up early for me.”

  “No problem.” Her gaze shifts to the freshly baked scones in the top of my display cabinet. “You want one for the road?”

  She grins. “I shouldn’t.”

  “Come on, last day of school before Christmas break. Treat yourself.” A laugh leaves her and she nods. I pull out the spiced pumpkin scone and wrap it up for her, placing it on top of the box of cookies. “No charge.”

  “Thank you. That’s so sweet.”

  I shrug. “Merry Christmas.”

  She leaves with a smile on her face and I return to stocking my baked goods, turning on the holiday music and starting a pot of coffee brewing. The bell on the door jingles as it opens, announcing the arrival of my employee, Mary. Late, as usual. I call out, “Cinnamon buns are about to come out of the oven. Can you frost them?”

  “I wasn’t planning on frosting any buns this morning, but if you insist.” A deep, masculine voice hits me like a bucket of ice water. That’s definitely not Mary.

  Turning around, I lock eyes with a ghost from my past. The man who left with my heart in his hands when we were eighteen. Langley Holt. “Langley?”

  His eyes sparkle with interest. “Noelle?”

  I haven’t seen him since…well, to be honest, I’ve followed his career with Easton Harrison’s band since he left, but I haven’t talked to him in years. “It’s…uh, good to see you.”

  “You look, wow, you look amazing.”

  A hot blush creeps up my cheeks and I can’t help but look him up and down. He’s the picture of everything I shouldn’t want with his well-worn jeans, boots and flannel. The edges of dark curls stick out from under his cap and that neatly trimmed beard of his has things tightening low in my belly. “Thanks. You too.” I turn around and silently beg the coffee maker to finish brewing so I can offer him something. The oven timer dings in the back and I nearly jump out of my skin.

  “Your buns are done. I’ll get ready to frost them for you.”

  Oh, God. “I’ll just…go get those.”

  He chuckles as I walk back into the kitchen. The tray of sweets is perfectly cooked and I take a moment to calm my racing heart as I slide it onto the rack to cool. When I’ve pulled myself together, I return to the front, adjusting my red and green holiday apron as I go.

  “What can I get you, Langley?”

  He leans on the counter, his delicious cedar wood scent making me want to close the distance between us. “Have any gingerbread? I want to take some home to Mom.”

  “I do. I just made gingerbread Santas this morning. They’re almost ready. The icing has to dry. If you come back in about an hour, I’ll be officially open for business.” I don’t want him to leave though and I could kick myself for giving him a reason to leave. “If you want, you can stay and have some coffee and a treat while I finish a few things.”

  His eyes light up. “I’d really like that. It’s great to see you again.”

  I pour us both a cup of the freshly brewed Christmas blend and hand his over. “What’ll you have?”

  “What’s your favorite?”

  I look over the items in the display, but honestly, the cinnamon buns are what I love the most. “One second.”

  I rush
back to the cooling confections and remove one from the tray. It’s still hot and as I spread the cream cheese frosting over the top it melts into each nook and cranny. Exactly how I like it. I bring the cinnamon bun out to him and offer it along with a fork.

  “I thought you said they weren’t ready?”

  I shrug. “I like them like this. Hot and gooey. They just don’t package well when they’re hot so we usually wait to frost them until they’re only slightly warm.”

  He takes a bite and moans around the treat. “God damn, you’re dangerous.”

  I giggle. “Are you talking to me or the cinnamon bun?”

  “Both.”

  “So, what brings you home?” I ask. He hasn’t been back for years.

  Some of the light leaves his eyes. “Dad’s been sick.”

  Shock rolls through me. “What? He hasn’t said anything.”

  “I know. They haven’t told anyone. He had a stroke last year and even with therapy, he’s lost too much mobility. They’re selling the farm to GPM on January first.”

  “So that’s why Holt’s didn’t do their holiday events?”

  “He’s pretty bad. He just can’t keep up with everything, and the cost of his medical care is draining them.”

  “Oh, no. I should’ve checked in. I could’ve helped out.”

  He shakes his head. “Stubborn man won’t accept hand outs from anyone. I didn’t know it was this bad until a few days ago.”

  I reach over the counter and take his hand. The feel of his skin on mine sends a jolt of heat through me. If I was at all wondering about our connection, I’m not any longer. Langley Holt and I have always been drawn to each other. That doesn’t mean it’s a good idea to let him back into my life. I swallow hard and try to bring my focus to the real issue. His family farm. “We can’t let the farm go to GPM.”

  “I know.” He laces our fingers and runs his thumb over my knuckles. Pushing down the familiar rush of attraction at his touch, I tug my hand out of his grip.