Page 86 of More Than Friends

FORTY-EIGHT

CHARLOTTE

JUDE

How’s everything going?

I smileas I look down at my phone. I lie next to Ava on her playmat in the living room, shaking my head at her dad already checking in when it feels like he just left.

I pull up the camera app on my phone and switch it to selfie mode. I make sure both Ava and I are in frame before snapping a photo and sending it to Jude.

CHARLOTTE

We’re doing just fine without you

Have fun!!

JUDE

This photo is a tease. Now I want to leave Pembroke and race home to my girls.

I close my eyes and clutch my phone to my chest. He’s really got to stop doing that. My heart can’t handle it. I don’t think he realizes what he does to me every time he calls mehis.

I groan and open my eyes. The sound catches the attention of Ava. She rolls to her belly and looks at me with a gummy smile.

“Don’t laugh at me, Ava girl,” I whine. “Your dad is just too cute, and it’s killing me.”

She excitedly kicks her legs and lets out a tiny little giggle that has me smiling despite my current predicament of catching feelings for her dad, even though I know I shouldn’t. I’m about to tickle her for laughing at me when my phone vibrates again.

JUDE

Keep sending photos of the two of you.

CHARLOTTE

Deal. But also put your phone away and enjoy your time with the guys. I’ll get ahold of you if anything happens, but I promise we’ll be fine.

JUDE

If I put my phone away do you promise to keep sending photos that I can look through later?

CHARLOTTE

Yes. Now go have fun.

JUDE

I love it when you’re bossy.

I roll my eyes and toss my phone to the side. I already can’t wait to hear all about his day golfing and how it went to tell morepeople about Ava, but I also want him to enjoy his time with the guys. Ava and I will have fun in his absence, while also being excited for him to get home.

My day with Ava has been amazing so far. We played, read some books, and she drank some milk before doing a great job at sleeping in her crib for an almost two-hour nap. We’re back on the floor, playing on her playmat and listening to the same song she’s obsessed with from one of her toys, when the doorbell rings.

I pause, wondering who it could even be. The doorknob moves as if someone’s trying to get in. I immediately grab Ava and pull her to my chest.

There’s beeping and then the sound of the door unlocking. My heart thuds because I have no idea who is coming into Jude’s house right now, but it’s obvious that whoever it is knows the passcode to his locks.

My heart hammers as I stumble to stand up with Ava in my arms.