The Fluke

24 - Luke

"You certainly look satiated."

I look up from the Indian Wells brochure I've been mindlessly flipping through and give Tessa a broad smile.

"Might never go hungry again if I'm being honest," I tell her.

The conversation with Spencer went better than expected and Jules' palpable relief eased both of our minds. To be able to touch her and not have to act like I barely know her, and to have Spencer's enthusiastic blessing, I couldn't have asked for a better outcome.

Tessa hops onto a bar stool and reaches across the island to grasp my hand. "I'm so happy for you, I really am. And now I get to have a permanent role in the beginning of your guys' love story. You know I love to take credit where credit is due," she teases and then reaches up and pats herself on the back.

"You can gloat as much as your heart desires, seriously. What you did, despite our history... I was afraid I was going to lose her before I even got a shot with her. If it wasn't for you talking to her and arranging that date then I may never have gotten that chance, so thank you."

"You're welcome. Where is the lucky lady?"

"In the guest house. You failed to suggest we bring a change of clothes so she was stuck leaving the hotel this morning her dress from last night."

She laughs and waves her hand in the air. "Small price to pay, I'm sure."

After we had gotten through the difficult part of our confession to Spencer our breakfast was enjoyable, but Jules had been itching to get out of that dress in the light of day. I tried to persuade her to let me help but with house's plans to head to the Tennis Garden today, she knew I couldn't be trusted to "help". Smart girl.

"So..." Tessa leans back and looks down the hallway toward the back bedrooms and then behind her out by the pool before turning back and speaking in a hushed voice. "What's the deal with Gavin?"

I drop the brochure and lean my hands against the island, barely able to unclench my jaw. "I guess he feels like he has some claim on Jules and he let me know it a couple nights ago, aggressively."

"Huh. Have they ever been a thing before?"

I shake my head.

"Does Jules know?"

I nod. "I told her what he'd said to me and she was surprised. Disappointed. I know they've known each other for years, but she didn't seem to know that he felt that way about her." I move around the island and take a seat on the stool next to her. "What was he saying this morning?"

"I mean, not much. In hindsight I think that was on purpose. He mentioned you weren't in your room and when I asked why he was going to the guest house he said he had to talk to Jules. I didn't actually clue in right away that he thought he might find you there. I covered for her to buy you guys time to get back here."

"Thanks for that, by the way. Where is he now?"

She smiles. "Hungover. He was guzzling Pepto by the pool but eventually the heat got to him and he headed back to bed. Everyone but Spencer is still in bed, I think."

Serves Gavin right. Asshole. I know he's going to be a prick when he finds out about me and Jules. I just hope he can be a big boy about it. I'm not usually one to parade my private life around but there's no way I'm keeping my feelings about Jules hidden behind closed doors for Gavin's sake. Hopefully Jules feels the same way.

I don't owe Gavin anything. We're not in competition. He's known her longer, but if anything was going to happen between them it would have by now, and if he never had the balls to make a move with her before he noticed someone else was interested, that's on him, not me.