Chapter 12: Sunday Lunch

Jude's mother lived in a white brick house with blue shutters and a lawn that had been mowed in stripes.

I wore the green dress Cam had talked me into, and my locket, and the flats that didn't hurt.

Jude held my hand on the front walk.

His palm was damp.

"Whatever she says," he said, "I'm not letting go."

"She's your mother."

"She's also very particular," he said.

"And my sister is not always kind."

"I know," I said.

"I've met girls like that."

He looked at me strangely.

He had been quiet the whole drive, and twice he had started to say something and stopped.

I had put it down to nerves about his mother.

Then the front door opened.

His mother was fifty-one, with silver in her dark hair and a careful smile.

She took in the hand-holding in one glance.

"Jude," she said.

"And this must be Cam's sister."

"Lucinda Gisborne," I said.

"Thank you for having me."

"Nonsense, we're delighted," she said, and kissed the air near my cheek.

"Come in. Lunch is almost ready, and Danielle has been dying to meet you."

The dining room had a long table set for four, with cloth napkins and a bowl of lemons.

Jude pulled my chair out for me.

I sat down, and the swinging door from the kitchen opened.

Keep reading free with an account. Start I'm In Love With My Brother's Best Friend?! from Chapter 1, then sign up free to read the rest of this chapter.