For Jude, this operation was just another day on the job. When it ended, he'd move on to the next case without breaking his stride. She, though, would be left with the consequences of her alliance with the FBI. For one thing, a lot of French Bettencourts who would have strong opinions about her role in all of this. For another, a blank space in her life where Jude had been.
She was very afraid of how much she'd miss him.
“Good evening,” he said.
“Hi.” She opened the passenger door before he had a chance to do it for her.
On the way to the restaurant, they spoke less than usual, mostly chitchat initiated by him. She had the sense that he was trying to feel out her mood.
Following her conversation with Chaz last night, it had occurred to her that Jude might’ve wanted her to run her decision to end things with Chaz by him before she'd gone ahead and spontaneously done the deed.
But see? That made her grumpy, too. She was still an autonomous person capable of making her own choices and worthy of privacy. Chaz had been in little danger of interrupting the FBI's mission before. Now he was in zero danger of doing so. Gemma wasn't going to mention the break-up to a single friend or family member, so everything was fine, just as it was. She'd done nothing to upset the case.
This time, when she and Jude walked from the parking lot to the restaurant's door, she did not reach for his hand.
They entered Pasta Bella's bar, then trailed the hostess down a staircase. The restaurant's nine tables were located in a stone-walled room that had once been a wine cellar belonging to a ship's captain. Nicks and scratches gave character to the wood floor. Sconces cast honey-colored light, as did the glowing wicks fed by glass pots of oil on the tables. This had been her family's place for decades and she relished its familiar scent—bubbling tomato sauce, basil, and welcome.
Once again, she and Jude had arrived five minutes early. Once again, Cedric and Vincent were not waiting for them when they settled at their table.
Gemma selected a crunchy breadstick from the basket and bit into it with fervor. “Yummy,” she said sharply, then gnawed it down like a beaver would a branch while hiding behind her menu.
Silence from Jude.
They'd pre-selected the items they were going to order. Also, she'd told him about her family's connection to this place, so he knew that she knew this menu by heart. Since she couldn't get away with hiding behind the menu for long, she lowered it.
Jude lifted tawny eyebrows.
Those lips of his, chiseled yet soft, had been excellent to kiss in the dream. How well would they measure up in real life? Very well, by the look of them.
“You okay?” he asked.
“Yes.”
The heating vent blew a gust of warm air over them, which nudged a lock of Jude's hair toward his eye. He raised a hand with the clear intent of fixing it.
“Allow me,” Gemma said, sweeping the lock into place. For a split second she stilled, ordering herself to behave. Then ignored her own order by delving her fingers into his hair, rustling her hand, and disordering all the strands.
She returned her hand to her lap. “Sorry.” Truth be told, she wasn't sorry.
He tilted his expensive head in a way that asked,Really?
“I couldn't resist,” she said. “I really do try very hard to listen to the angel on my shoulder.”
“Do you really tryvery hard?” he asked dryly, but without animosity.
Her phone pinged. She extracted it from her purse.
Cedric
I apologize for the late notice. I've been busy and just remembered that I should have let you know sooner that Vincent and I won't be able to join you and Jude for dinner. Business matters called me home. We're on the jet back to France.
With a sigh, she handed Jude the phone so he could read it.
Jude had the best poker face of all poker faces. This information had to come as a setback to him, but he didn't telegraph that outwardly. He passed her phone back.
“Sounds like we don't need to stay for a full dinner,” she said. “I wouldn't want to leave so quickly, though, that the employees here will hold a grudge. I come here a lot and I'd like to stay on good terms with everyone.”
“How about we order appetizers, then go?”
