Eight Long Years: A Second Chance Secret Baby Romance (Heart of Hope Book 5)

by Ajme Williams

  “Jude, why don’t you and I pull that together while Ms…”

  “Davidson,” I said.

  “Davidson.” He frowned as if he realized my last employer had my same last name. “While she gets these things organized.”

  Jude nodded and they went to the office area. I wondered what Cyrus was asking him and how Jude was explaining my hire.

  Cyrus seemed okay with me being here, so I assumed they’d work it out. I went through the bags, sorting the item, storing some in my desk and others, like reams of paper and extra pens, in a cupboard in the break room.

  I was back at the desk, getting things sorted. I realized I wouldn’t be able to have pictures of Maya on my desk, but that was okay.

  My cell phone rang with August’s ringtone. I considered not answering but I couldn’t hide from him forever.

  “August,” I said by way of answering.

  “April. I was wondering if you could meet me for lunch. We need to talk.”

  I suppose we did, although I was sure it wouldn’t turn out any better than all the other times we tried to “talk.” Usually he talked but didn’t listen when I talked back. Still, he was my brother and Maya’s uncle, so it would be good to diffuse the situation before we became too estranged.

  “Okay. Where?”

  He gave me the name of a café that wasn’t too far from here. I realized I didn’t know the day’s schedule so I picked up the phone and called into Cyrus’ office to ask about lunch.

  He conferred with Jude, and okayed an hour which I told them I was ready to take now, even though it was just eleven thirty.

  I grabbed my purse and headed to the café. My brother was already at a table looking over the menu.

  I sat across from him.

  He put his menu down. “You’re not at work.”

  I rolled my eyes. “I told you I quit. I have a new job.”

  He studied me. “You don’t have to do this. You’ve proven your point.”

  I leaned forward. “Let me prove it more. At my new job, I negotiated a salary that’s twenty-five percent more than what you were paying me.” I sat back feeling very satisfied with myself, even though I suspected part of my success was Jude’s trying to stick it to August.

  “What about the family business?”

  “What about it? You don’t really see me as anything more than hired help. Thank God the trust included me in the business, or you probably wouldn’t have even done that.”

  “That’s not fair, April.”

  He was probably right.

  “The point is, August, I’m a smart capable woman, that you don’t value or appreciate.”

  “This isn’t just about you and me. What about Maya?” He was a jerk to toss her in my face.

  “What about her? You don’t think I can care for her? Support her?”

  He huffed out a breath. “Yes. But she needs a stable home. You can’t just be running off to a new job and home simply because you’re pissed at me.”

  “I can, August. Because it’s my life and I’m responsible for Maya. Not you.”

  His jaw tightened and he turned to look out the window. The waitress brought water, but we weren’t ready to order yet.

  He turned back. “I’ve done the best I could for you and Maya, you know that April.”

  I nodded, because I knew deep down, he cared. What I didn’t like was how he acted.

  “Mom and dad would have wanted me to make sure you and Maya were taken care of.”

  I snorted. “If mom heard you say that she’d box your ears. This isn’t the eighteenth century. I don’t need a man to take care of me.”

  “August?” a man’s voice interrupted us.

  “Yes, Matt. This is my sister April.” He nodded toward me. “April, this is Matt London, his family owns the London car dealerships.”

  “How do you do?” I said, looking up at the man. He was about August’s age with brown hair and eyes. He had an air of wealth to him, but his smile was friendly and warm.

  “Very well. And you?”

  “Why don’t you join us,” August said, motioning to the chair by me.

  “Thank you.”

  He sat while at the same time August rose. “I have a meeting I need to get to.”

  Wait, what? “August?” Was he expecting me to schmooze with Matt? I didn’t work for him anymore. Then I remembered what he said. He felt like I needed taking care of. That son-of-bitch was setting me up.

  “Well, that wasn’t awkward,” Matt said when August left. He rose and moved to the chair August had vacated across from me.

  “Awkward is August’s middle name,” I quipped.

  Matt laughed. “Well, I have to say, if he was going to ambush me to arrange a date, I’m glad it was you. You seem to be taking this with good humor.”

  “As are you,” I said. I considered leaving, except that would be rude. And once we started talking, it turned out Matt was an interesting guy.

  As we finished, Matt said, “Do you work near here?”

  “I do. I just started a job at a new security consulting firm.”

  “Sounds interesting. I imagine they’ll get a lot of work. The need for security is always growing as hackers and thieves get more clever.”

  He had a point, and I wondered if I’d be able to learn more about what they did and perhaps help them.

  “Do you need a ride back?” he asked as he paid the breakfast bill.

  “I walked. It’s not far.”

  “Would I be overstepping if I offered to walk you back. At the very least, August would expect it.” He grinned, and I smiled back because he was right.

  “We can plan our wedding and two-point-two children.”

  He laughed. “And name the dog.”

  As we walked, I realized that I hadn’t really spent time with a man like this. When Jude left, I was pregnant and for the next few years I was raising a baby, going to school, and working. In the last few years, I dated some, but no one really interested me. Not that Matt interested me either. At least not now. Not with the very real reminder of Jude back in town.

  Had Jude not returned, would I be interested in Matt? I’d probably have gone on a date with him, but I suspected we’d end up in the friend-zone. Matt was handsome and charming, but there was something about him that told me he was still sowing his oats. As mom, I didn’t have time for meaningless flings, the one night with Jude, notwithstanding.

  Still, I was enjoying Matt’s company so I was happy to have him walk me back to the office. Besides, if Cyrus saw me with Matt, it would likely relieve his concerns about me and Jude. If Jude saw me with Matt, maybe he’d move on too, although that though didn’t sit well in my gut.

  13

  Jude

  I stood at the front of the office staring out the window waiting for April like a fucking idiot. I arrived that morning eager to spend time with her. For us to get to know each other again and yes, see if we still had what it took to pursue the plans we made before.

  I’d gotten up extra early and went to the office store to pick up everything she might need. I’d wanted to be there when she arrived, especially since I hadn’t let Cyrus know what was up with hiring her. But I got caught in traffic, and by the time I got to the office, Cyrus had her in his office, vetting her. I lingered outside his door for a moment, eavesdropping out of curiosity. How would my friend and ex get along? I supposed I couldn’t blame him for bringing up my and April’s past, but it was none of his fucking business.

  Yes, but that was a long time ago. We were kids, really. She’s said to Cyrus. Did she really see us like that? That we’d had a teenage summer fling and that was it? Then why did she have sex with me the other night? Was she just taking a trip down memory lane? Fuck!

  All this was ruminating in my brain as I waited like a love-sick puppy for her to return from lunch.

  “What’s going on?” Cyrus joined me at the window.

  I shrugged. “Nothing.”

  He sighed. “I know
what you’re doing. You’re either lying to me or to yourself.”

  My jaw tightened. “I don’t know what you mean.”

  “You still want April. That’s why you hired her without talking to me. You saw her, still wanted her, and hired her.”

  “We needed an office manager and she needed a job. Problem solved.” Of course, that didn’t mean he was wrong. I did still want her.

  Cyrus took a seat in one of the waiting area chairs. “Come on man, I know you. You’re playing a dangerous game here Jude. You’re her boss now. Crossing the line could lead to a lawsuit and sink this business. And you might think she’s worth it, but it’s my ass on the line here too.”

  Anger and annoyance crept up my spine at his words, even though I knew he was right. “You’re being ridiculous. You heard her. We’d just been kids.”

  “Yeah, I heard that. And I see you. I see you when she’s around. You still want her, and I’m telling you that you better keep it strictly professional for all our sakes.” He stood. “I’m not trying to bust your balls here, Jude, but we have a lot riding on this.” He patted me on the shoulder and then headed back to his office.

  I was about to go to mine, when I caught April walking back toward the office. She wasn’t alone. Next to her was a well-dressed man who seemed familiar to me, but took me a moment to place.

  “Fucking A, Matt London,” I hissed as I realized who it was. Matt was a couple years older than August and me in school. He came from a rich family as his father owned several car dealerships. He’d also been a girl-magnet and athletic in school. He was still good looking and likely continued to have his share of women. At the moment, the way they laughed and were enjoying themselves, it appeared he had April. The son-of-a-bitch.

  April hadn’t laughed or smiled like that the other night with me. An inferno of jealousy and possessiveness washed through me. Knowing Cyrus was right that I couldn’t fuck up this business, I clenched my fists and headed back to my office, shutting the door, but not having any luck shutting out images of Matt’s hands touching her. Did she cling to him during the big O like she did to me?

  I ran my hands through my hair and then pressed them against my head like that would rid the images of April and Matt tangled in sheets.

  “Fuck.” I jerked open the door and strode out to her desk. Thank God Matt wasn’t lingering around it. I reached her desk, a million feelings and thoughts and words flashing in my head.

  She looked up at me expectantly.

  “Did you have a nice lunch?” I managed although my tone was terse.

  Her brow furrowed at my tone. “Yes. Is there something you need?”

  I heard something up the hall and looked to see Cyrus peering out his door in our direction.

  “Yes. I need to see you in my office for a moment.” I worked my mouth into a smile and rolled my shoulders back so they’d look relaxed. I headed to my office, with April following.

  I leaned against my desk, crossing my arms over my chest, waiting until she was in my office and had shut the door.

  “Who was that you were with for lunch?”

  “I met August for lunch and Matt showed up. He walked me back. Why?”

  “Is that usual? August pawning you off on wealthy men?”

  She arched a brow. “What business is it of yours if he does?”

  I hated her tone. It said I had no right to ask, but I did. Jesus, she’d fucked me the other night and now was she fucking this guy at lunch?

  I couldn’t keep my words diplomatic. “Does August know you were fucking me again? Is that why he’s handing you over to Matt London? Matt has more money than me. More prestige in town. He’s better for August Davidson’s little sister than some nobody like me?”

  “I told you the other night was a one-time thing, Jude. You’re my boss now.”

  I moved toward her, crowding her, which I knew was an asshole thing to do. To her credit, she held her ground, tilting a defiant chin up to me.

  “Is that true? The other night meant nothing but an orgasm? Is that all sex is to you now?”

  Her eyes flashed with heat. “And you think it was more.”

  I gave one curt nod. Then unable to help myself, I bent and captured her mouth in a fiery kiss. Longing and irritation mixed as I tried to make her see what could be from my kiss. At first, I thought she was giving in, but then she tore her lips away and stepped back.

  “Where you’re concerned, April, you’re always going to be my business.” It was more than I wanted to reveal, but I was feeling desperate. I hated that. I hated how it felt like she could bring me to my knees.

  Her eyes widened in surprise for a moment, and then returned to annoyed. “I work for you now, Jude. I’m your employee not your possession. If you hired me to be your fuck buddy, then I’ll quit.”

  My jaw tensed and hurt flared that she’d think that’s all this was. “You’re the one who fucks for fun, baby. Not me.”

  She flinched, and I hated how off the rails this conversation had gone. “I’ve got work to do.”

  I motioned toward the door letting her know she could leave. She pivoted around and stalked out of my office, leaving me raw and ragged.

  14

  April

  I wasn’t sure what to think of my new job. On the one hand, I liked being in charge of the office and Cyrus seemed to respect my talent. On the other hand, Jude was acting like a jealous ninny. I’d be lying if I said a part of me liked that. He walked away from me, and now had to pay the price by seeing that I had a life without him. And, if I was being completely honest with myself, the emotion and heat in his eyes, sent a little thrill through me. For years I wanted Jude to want me. And then he did for one short summer, until he left, and then he didn’t want me anymore.

  I shook my head to rid it of the thought of Jude and that hard, desperate kiss he gave me that nearly had me giving in, and instead focused on having a job that paid more, helping me along the path of complete independence.

  After work, I picked Maya up from summer camp, but didn’t go right home. Along with the messiness at work, there was August. What the hell had he been thinking to try and set me up? I suspect, Jude was right in that he’d selected Matt because he had money and his family was known in the area. It angered me that August truly didn’t see that I was a smart woman capable of living my own life.

  Instead of going home, I brought Maya over to Petal’s where she played with her toy bakery while I had a glass of wine with my friend and recounted the day.

  “I really don’t know what to do about August. I really believe he’d order me into an arranged marriage if he could,” I said after downing half my glass of wine.

  Petal laughed. “I think his heart is in the right place. Especially if he knows Jude is back. Does he know?”

  I shook my head. “I don’t think so, but I can’t say for sure. He truly thought I was just having a temper tantrum when I quit and would be at work. But he didn’t want to talk about how he treats me or his part in making me leave.” I let out a frustrated grow.

  “Are you okay, mama?” Maya asked from where she was pretending to decorate cupcakes.

  “Yes, baby. Just frustrated with Uncle Auggie.”

  She shrugged and went back to her playing.

  “He probably feels like he’s losing control. He feels responsible for you,” Petal said.

  “I’m sure that’s right. But he’s not in control of or responsible for me. Not anymore.”

  There was a knock at the door, indicating the arrival of the pizza we ordered. The conversation was halted until after we ate. Instead, during dinner we learned about all the fun activities Maya was doing at camp. After we ate, Maya went to the living room to watch TV, while I helped Petal in the kitchen.

  “So, are you going to call Matt? You’ve named the dog after all,” Petal asked, setting a rinsed plate in the dishwasher.

  “He seems like an okay guy, but I’m not in a place to get into a relationship and to be honest, he seems li
ke a player. Right now, I’ve got Maya and a new job.”

  “A new job with your ex, and your baby daddy.” Petal arched a brow. “Are you sure that rejecting Matt doesn’t have something to do with Jude being back?”

  I scoffed and put my clean wine glass away, wishing I was drinking from it. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “You had dinner with your ex the other night. Are you telling me that it was totally all business? There were no walks down memory lane bringing up those old feelings?”

  Petal missed her calling. She would have made a good shrink. Or a psychic.

  I looked toward the living room to make sure Maya was preoccupied with the TV. Then I returned my attention to Petal. I gave a reluctant nod. “We did stroll down memory lane.”

  Petal’s brows rose. “And?”

  I let out a breath. “And we went back to his hotel room.”

  “Oh man…and…”

  “And…we hooked up. It was just one time.”

  “What were you thinking?” Petal hissed in a low tone, but with a sparkle in her eyes that suggested she liked this new.

  I shrugged. “I was thinking I’d get him out of my system once and for all.”

  “You’re either lying to yourself or an idiot.”

  I pursed my lips at her.

  “Did you really think having sex with the man you’d once loved, probably still love, the man that gave you Maya, would make you want him less? To me that’s a recipe for addiction.”

  I waved her comment away. “It’s over. Done. Right now, my focus is taking care of Maya and me. Including finding us a new place because I can’t get out from under August totally if I live in the house. Especially when he finds out that Jude is back and that I’m working for him. He’ll go ballistic.”

  Petal nodded in agreement. “It’s odd the way you jumped on the job Jude offered so quickly. I mean you could have looked around. Or started your own business. You’ve already got me as a client. Are you sure you’re not still carrying a torch for Jude?”

  “I’m sure,” I huffed out annoyed, because in truth, I wasn’t sure. When he kissed me today, my first instinct was to kiss him back, and get naked so he could fuck me on his desk. “So sure, that I have to look for another place than the one I’d gone to the other day. Jude is renting there. If I were desperate for him, wouldn’t I want to be his neighbor?”