I wasn’t going to say goodbye to Jules.
But here I am.
I park in front of the coffee shop and take a deep breath before gripping the door handle and shoving it open.
The moment I step inside, the familiar smell of roasted coffee beans and warm pastries settles over me, grounding me. But then, Sarge shoots me a death glare from behind the counter.
I ignore him, scanning the shop for Jules.
Connie spots me first. She quirks an eyebrow, then smirks as she jerks her chin toward the office. “She’s doing payroll.”
I nod and head down the hall, fully aware that Sarge hasn’t taken his eyes off me.
Jules is sitting behind her desk when I reach the doorway, head down, completely focused as she signs a check.
I knock lightly.
Her head snaps up, hazel eyes widening in surprise. “Corbin?”
I hold up Tate’s jacket. “Didn’t know if he’d need it while I was gone.”
Jules exhales a soft laugh as she stands, her expression shifting into something warm. “You could’ve just texted.”
Yeah. I could’ve.
But we both know why I didn’t.
She rounds her desk, stopping just in front of it, leaning back against the edge. Her hair is up today, exposing the elegant curve of her neck. A neck that I really shouldn’t be thinking about kissing right now.
I swallow that thought as she holds out her hand. I pass her the jacket, watching as she clutches it to her chest, as if creating some kind of barrier between us.
She’s never done that before.
“I’m sorry I had to cancel family dinner this week,” I say, dragging my gaze from the jacket to her face.
Jules gives me a small smile. “It’s okay. We’ll have an extra fancy one next week.”
“Extra fancy?” I raise a curious eyebrow.
She shrugs, a teasing glint in her hazel eyes. “I was thinking maybe we could go out? Take Tate to get pizza or something.”
“That’s a good idea.”
She nods, shifting her weight slightly. “We should talk about Tate’s party Saturday.”
I have a plane to catch, but somehow, that fades into the background.
“What can I help with?” I ask.
“Can you help me set up decorations?”
“Yeah, of course.”
Jules sighs dramatically, rubbing her forehead. “He chose snakes as his theme.”
I smirk. “I take it you’re thrilled about that?”
“Oh, beyond thrilled.” She groans. “And he would really like a snake for his present.”
