Page 28 of Accidental Husband

"There are movies," Wes says.

"They're good," Quinn adds.

I nodguilty as charged. I have not read those books, but I watched the movies with Jules a million years ago. She decided I needed to advance my pop culture education. Practically forced me to watch them.

All right, I put up a fight (I always do), but it was all show. Watching movies with my best friend every night for a week straight—

What's better than that?

"They are good." Her green eyes meet mine. For a second, they're full of this perfect, pure joy. Then she blinks and the awkwardness of the trip spills over her expression.

It's understandable, but I'm not taking it sitting down.

I'm getting that joy back.

Whatever it takes.

* * *

After another coffeestop (At Peet's, of course. Jules wouldn't be caught dead drinking matcha from that other establishment), we head out.

For a while, Jules eases into the conversation. She teases back when Dean insults her taste in music. Moves to the middle seat so she can whisper gossipy questions in my ear. Manages to win a game of ten fingers.

That leads to more gossipy questions.

And me whispering answers in her ear. And her resting her head on my shoulder. And me wrapping my arm around her.

So she won't bang into the seat in front of her.

Not because I want my arm around her. Or because she smells good. Or because my body buzzes when my fingertips graze her neck.

She rouses when we stop for lunch. We pull off the freeway at Baker. Drive straight to the World's Tallest Thermometer Park.

Chloe bursts into laughter. "Really?"

Dean nodshell yeah.

"Of course, you want to hang out in front of this massive phallic symbol." She looks up at him with a dreamy smile. Catches herself. Tones it down. Motions to the restaurant behind the giant temperature gauge. "This place has the best veggie options. If you want something else, we can drop you there."

"This is fine," Jules says.

"Speaking for everyone?" I tease.

She stretches her arms over her head as she yawns. Her tiny tank top pulls up her stomach, showing off inches of taut skin.

What the fuck is wrong with Jackson? The asshole doesn't realize what he gave up.

Fuck, I'm not going there. He's not an idiot because Jules is hot. He's an idiot because she's the best friend in the history of the world.

If she's half the girlfriend, she's the best girlfriend anywhere.

She nudges me and motions to the door. "Are you trying to kill me with heat exhaustion?"

"What if I am?"

"You'll die too."

"We'll die together."