Marla

Thanks to Sofie, I had Mission Impossible theme music stuck in my head on an infinite loop. Why? Because I worked my ass off to keep Jace from seeing Julia when he was home from school. It was easy when you have a billion family members like Dexter does.

Nash and Maddie took Julia and Jas to the cabin for a week, and Jace missed Julia. Oh, darn. What a pity. I guess he can try again during summer break.

Julia passed her driving test, which helped with my plan. Once she turned sixteen and got her license, I suggested a job at the center since Julia wanted to earn a little more money. Oh, shucky darn. Jace missed his chance to talk to her again. Better luck next time.

Dexter pulled me aside in the kitchen while Julia and Jas were at the center. "Did you orchestrate Jace missing Julia when he's home?"

"I might have suggested Julia work at the center to earn some money. And I might have suggested to Bradley how much Jace would love to work with him this summer."

Dexter looked at me and blinked. "My wife is a genius."

I raised my brow and folded my arms across my chest.

Dexter rolled his eyes. "I didn't mean you weren't a genius. But your devious mind impresses me immensely."

I shook my head and dropped my arms. "Jace expected Julia to be here when he got home so he could waltz into her life and confuse her. That's not happening until he learns a lesson."

"What lesson?"

"You can't ignore someone, then pay attention to them when it's convenient for you. Julia isn't a 7-11."

"I thought you like Jace."

"I do, but it doesn't mean I want him to toy with Julia's feelings. Julia is still young and learning about life. She doesn't need a guy to mess with her head."

Dexter nodded in agreement.

*****
Bradley

When Marla approached me about Jace working at the construction site, I wondered why since Jace intended to work there this summer. Then, I noticed Jace's frustration when he tried to talk to Julia and kept missing her. Now, it made sense.

So, I cornered Dexter to get the truth. Dexter filled me in about Marla's plan. I had to admit it was a good plan since it made sense. I agreed to help him and Marla since they were right. Jace needed to learn a valuable lesson about how you treat people.

I had several installs scheduled that would keep Jace busy during the summer until he returned to school. It would give me time to work on the cabinets while Jace worked with Devin on the installs. Since Jace needed hours to log for his degree, Marla's plan worked.

I was in the workshop when Elias strolled inside and checked the cabinets. "What do you think?"

"The clients will be happy. How's everything going with the boys?"

"I never realized fatherhood could be rewarding and frustrating simultaneously."

"It happens when you're an older parent raising kids."

"I feel like I aged several years with the boys."

Elias chuckled. "Tell me about it. My hellraisers enjoy giving me every gray hair I have."

I nodded in agreement. "Can I ask you a question?"

"Sure."

"Do you think it's wrong for me to keep Jace from Julia?"

Elias raised his brow and folded his arms. "Are you asking me if interfering with your son's feelings toward Julia is right?"

I leaned on the workbench with my palms. "Marla thinks Jace is messing with Julia's feelings. She doesn't want Jace to use Julia to stroke his ego."

"Bradley, ask me what you really want to know."

"Did you ever use Tori's infatuation with you to your advantage?"

"I didn't find out about Tori's crush until we were older. So, no, I never used Tori's crush to stroke my ego. I doubt Jace is doing what you and others are implying."

"How do you know?"

"When you love someone, you don't realize they feel the same way. You're too busy trying to figure out how to make them yours."

I lifted my brows and smiled. "I owe you an apology."

"For what?"

"For telling Tori your reason for fake dating her. I let my jealousy get the best of me."

"Jealousy is a bitch." Elias shrugged.

I nodded in response.

Elias stayed while we talked. It was nice we could move past our history and become friends. Who would ever have thought Elias and I would become friends with our history?

******
Jace

I worked at the construction site the summer before my senior year in college. I didn't mind, but I wanted to talk to Jules. Every time I got a chance to speak to her, I kept missing her.

If Jules and I weren't working, Jules was visiting family. It made the situation more frustrating for me. Dad advised me to focus on earning my hours for my contractor's license.

All I wanted to do was talk to Jules and explain everything. I couldn't do that if I didn't see her.

While I screwed in cabinet doors, Casp approached me.

"Hey, Jace," Casp said.

"Hey, Casp. I see Odin let you work at the construction site."

Casp nodded slightly. "Yeah, Dad said it would give me experience."

"Odin isn't wrong." I checked the door and made sure it closed properly.

"Have you spoken to Charlie?"

I grabbed another cabinet door and screwed it on. "Not lately. She's been dating someone."

"Oh."

I glanced at Casp and noticed his dejected expression. "If it's any consolation, no one likes the guy Charlie is dating."

"Really?"

I nodded. "Yeah, he's a douche if you catch my drift."

Casp pulled his brows together, narrowed his eyes, and balled his hands into fists. "Yeah, I catch your drift."

I knew how possessive Caspiam was of Charlie. If that meant helping Charlie, so be it. Kent was a class-A asshole. "FYI, Charlie graduates after this year."

Casp gave me a curt nod before walking away.

I kept working, hoping to talk to Jules before returning to school. Yeah, that was wishful thinking on my part.

*******
Julia

When you turn sixteen, no one tells you how busy you become. But I didn't mind since Jace hadn't tried to see me since he came home. He's probably met someone and dating them.

I really need to get over this stupid crush.

"Hey, Julia. Did you want to help me with the younger kids?" Sofie asked.

"Sure. Why not?" I shrugged and followed Sofie.

Kyler and Rachel had started a day camp a few years ago for kids of different ages. They thought it would help parents who couldn't afford daycare. I didn't mind helping with the kids since Jas was here.

It was the first time Casp got to work at the construction site with his dad since he turned fifteen. I hope Casp doesn't drive Odin crazy with his anal retention about organizing things.

I helped the kids with the crafts they were making for their parents. The kids reminded me of when I was their age. I remember when my parents brought me to the center. I met Jace, his brothers, and the girls. Darby and Emerald defended me against bullies. It taught me to stick up for myself.

I should call Darby and see how she's doing since Mom and Dad told me about her prognosis.

Once I got a break, I did precisely that. The phone rang a few times before the call connected.

Hello?

"Hey, Darby. It's Julia."

Hey, Julia. How are you?

"Shouldn't I ask you that question? Mom and Dad told me about your diagnosis. How are you feeling?"

I'm okay. I have good and bad days.

"It's been a while since we talked."

Yeah, it has. That twerp hasn't been giving you trouble, has she?

"Not since I broke her nose three years ago."

Darby laughed. Good for you. Don't let anyone walk all over you.

"I won't."

Are you okay, Julia? You sound a little down.

"It's nothing. Don't worry about it. I was checking to see how you're doing."

You know me. I'm hanging in there. We should meet at the bakery.

"Sure. When?"

Are you busy tomorrow?

"I'm working half a day. Did you want to meet afterward?"

Yeah, that sounds good.

"Okay." I ended the call and smiled, knowing I was meeting Darby tomorrow.

Contrary to popular belief, I liked Darby and her sisters. They were feisty like me and didn't take shit from anyone.