“There was a jacket,” Tate says, his brow furrowed. “On the dining room table.”
Jules’ face flashes with understanding, and a wave of relief. It’smyjacket. The one I gave her to wear when I dropped her off after our date.
“That’s mine, bud,” I say smoothly. “I must’ve left it when we had dinner last Wednesday night.”
Tate studies me, chewing on his lip. “The black one?”
“Yeah,” I nod, offering a soft smile. “Been wondering where I left it.”
Tate relaxes a little. “Oh. Okay.”
Jules lets out a quiet breath, but I can still see the tension in her shoulders.
“Who’s ready for dessert?” I ask, trying to ease us back to normal.
Tate perks up immediately. “What did you make?”
I stand and start gathering plates, shooting Jules a quick wink. “Homemade ice cream.”
“Is it cookies and cream?!” Tate nearly shouts, his grin wide now.
Jules and I both laugh.
“It is,” I confirm.
“That’s my favorite!” he cheers.
We share bowls of ice cream, Tate chatting a little more freely now, and when he asks if we can watch a documentary on snakes, Jules makes him agree to shower and get in pajamas first. He runs up the stairs, leaving us alone to clean the kitchen, like old times.
We move side by side, washing and drying dishes, our hands brushing occasionally in ways that make my pulse race.
Jules runs a hand through her curls as we finish up, her eyes widening. “Oh my gosh, I forgot I’m still wearing this.” She tugs at the flower crown in her hair with a sheepish smile.
I lean against the counter, watching her with a smirk. “It’s Wednesday,” I remind her.
She giggles, trying to untangle it. “I completely forgot.”
“Here, let me,” I offer, stepping closer. She freezes as I gently work the crown free from her curls, being careful not to tug too hard.
“Gentle,” she teases, squirming a little as I carefully unwind a strand.
“Iambeing gentle,” I murmur, my voice rougher than I intend as her hands steady on my waist.
She glances up at me through her lashes, a soft smile playing on her lips.
“You still haven’t told me why you wear these every Wednesday,” I say as I work loose another strand.
She grins. “Because life is short, and you should wear a flower crown because you can,” she says simply, like it’s the most obvious thing in the world.
I laugh, brushing a curl behind her ear as my thumb lingers on her jaw, stroking it gently.
Before I can say anything else, Tate’s voice breaks the spell.
“What are you guys doing?”
Jules jumps slightly, her hand flying to her chest. “This was stuck in my hair,” she says quickly, taking the crown from me.
Tate grins as he looks between us. “You ready to watch snakes?”
