“Means you think about me and are interested in what I’m up to. Don’t worry, Em. You’re the only fake wife I want..”
My mouth drops as wide open as my eyes but I quickly slam it shut and glare at the cocky smirk staring back at me. “I don’t even know what to do with you right now.”
“That’s OK. Just keep talkin’. Talkin’ to you is becomin’ the highlight of my day,” he replies, sleepily.No hiding. No pretense. Just straight facts.
“We don’t even know each other,” I blurt out on a whisper.
“How about we work on changin’ that? You start. Ask me anythin’, Em.”
I tilt my head to the side, curiosity piqued. “Really? Anythin’?”
“Yup. Got nothin’ to hide. Not from you.”
Unfortunately, that’s when a huge yawn breaks free and I watch his features turn so soft it’s like I canfeelit despite being hundreds of miles away.
I cover my cheeks with my hands to hide my blush. “I’m so sorry. That was rude.”
“Naw. How ‘bout this? You get some rest and we’ll table this interrogation till tomorrow. Sound good?”
“OK.” I let out a tired sigh. “I don’t even know why I’m so wrung out at the moment. I’m gettin’ more than enough sleep. I’m eatin’ well. Work isn’t even that busy right now.”
An unreadable look flashes over his face before he quickly schools his features. “Any other weird feelin’s?”
“I was thinkin’ about it earlier and I’ve just been off kilter since the funeral. It’s like nothing seems to fit right now. I just feel different.”
“What do you mean?”
“It’s like the me before Dad passed and the me I am now are not the same. Even though IknowI am. Bet that sounds crazy,” I explain.
“Not at all. They’re your feelin’s and nobody can or should tell you they’re not valid. You’re the one experiencin’ it so far as I see it, you’re in the best position to describe it.”
I can’t help but scrunch my brows together. “How are you even real?”
He makes a show of lifting his arm and pinching it. “I feel pretty real.”
“You’re just so.” My voice drifts off but Jude doesn’t let that phase him.
“Handsome? Funny? Intelligent? Charmin’? Do go on, wifey,” he smirks.
“Wow. There it is,” I sigh dramatically.
“There’s what?”
“A flaw. I’ve been wonderin’ when I’d see your first red flag fly. They’ve all been green so far. Thank you for provin’ you’renotin fact a perfect figment of my imagination.”
His head jerks back and I think I’ve actually surprised him. “Sorry to disappoint, but I don’t have any red flags. Not that I know of, anyway.” His shy smile has my heart gothump. thump. Thump.“My advice is for you to just take it easy and be kind to yourself. That’s what I’m doin’.”
“Why?” I ask, my curiosity piqued. Jude always seems so put together and well-balanced. There’s a tug in my chest at thethought that he could be struggling too and I’ve missed it. “Are you?—?”
“I’m OK, Em. Bit like you, though. Tired, wrung out, feelin’ like I’m missin’ somethin’.” My breath catches in my throat.That’s exactly how I feel.“Probably just workin’ too much. The ranch never sleeps.”
I hear Dad’s voice in my head sayin’ the same thing. “And work is never done.”
“It’s the mantra of the mountain, I’m sure,” he says, seeming a little distracted by something now. “Go relax and get some rest, yeah?”
“I will,” I say with a small smile. “You too.”
“Good night, wifey.” His eyes crinkle at the sides as his soft gaze roams over my face. “Talk soon.”