JUDE
We’re not doing anything tonight. I’m fine.
That’s it. There’s no softness or warmth. None of the sweetness from earlier. I swallow the prick of worry rising in my throat. Something feels off...but I push it down and start typing anyway:
Okay. Want to come to dinner instead? Heather’s craving Italian.
I hit send.
Heather’s already rifling through my pantry when I come down the hall, humming off-key to the music playing from the tiny speaker on the counter. She glances up as I grab my coat.
“Did he say yes?” she asks, hopeful.
I force a smile, wincing at my sore legs from our workout. “He said they’re not doing anything. So...maybe. I told him the time and place.”
She pauses mid-search, squinting at me. “That sounded like a veryun-yesyes.”
I shrug, checking my phone for the fifth time in three minutes. “He’s just tired. He had a meeting earlier.”
She watches me for a beat longer. “Okay. Well, Italian healsall. And if not, at least we’ll go carbs.”
“It’s the best after a sweat-sesh at the gym, forsure,” I giggle. “Also, are you looking for some more gummy worms?”
She scrunches her face. “Guilty.”
I roll my eyes and get the bag for her.
The moment we step into the warm, dimly lit Italian place, everything smells like garlic, butter, and wine. It’s cozy, loud, full of conversation and clinking glasses. We slide into a booth, Heather settling across from me. Our waiter stops by to drop a carafe of water. My phone stays face-up beside my glass, and before I can even really glance at the menu, it vibrates.
JUDE
Parking.
Relief floods me. “They’re here.”
Heather beams. “Thank goodness. I brought my sleepover bag for a reason.” She winks mischievously. “Micah isincredible,my god.”
I snort, turning towards the front. The door swings open, and I look up to see both of them breeze inside. Jude, with hishoodie up, tousled black hair falling just enough to shadow his hazel eyes, and Micah, with messy shoulder-length blonde hair, grinning. My stomach flips at the sight of them together, both relaxed and happy.
Jude keeps his hood pulled low, careful to shield himself from the busy restaurant, but I can tell he’s smiling beneath it. Micah waves at me, his grin bright enough to make his entire face light up.
I wave them over to the private corner booth I requested, tucked away from anyone who might walk by. Jude slides in beside me, resting an arm along the back of the seat, while Micah drops in next to Heather.
“I’m sorry for that text earlier,” Jude murmurs, brushing a strand of hair from his face. “Bland as hell. Didn’t mean to…”
I catch the glance he throws at Micah as he says it, a flicker of something I can’t catch in his eyes. My curiosity piques, but I don’t press. I can inquire later. “I forgive you,” I whisper, sliding my hand onto his knee. Heat spreads through me at the touch. It’s like I’m a girl with a crush all over again. He presses his thumb gently over mine, then leans down to kiss the top of my head. He looks so cute with his hood up. Like the boy I met so many years ago.
Heather and Micah are already flirting across the table, trading smirks and light teasing. Micah throws his arm around her shoulders, tugging her close, and she melts into him with a laugh. It makes me smile to see my girl happy like this. Although, I hate to admit that it almost seems too good to be true with them. I know she feels that, too.
The server arrives, and we place our orders. Jude rests his hand back on my thigh once more, and I suddenly want to snuggle into him. Especially after remembering how he loved me last night. He catches my eye and gives me a tiny, almost secretive grin.
“So,” he murmurs, low enough that only I hear, “how was your day at work?”
I lean back a little, smiling. “Actually...really good. One ofmy clients is makingrealprogress. I can finally see her opening up, trusting me. It feels...amazing.”
He squeezes my thigh gently, pride shining through those beautiful eyes. “That’s incredible, Emma. I’m so proud of you.”
I flush, heart squeezing tight at the way he looks at me. “Thanks,” I smile.