“Still perceptive, I see.” He’s always in my head. Not a mind reader, but close enough.
Dancing with Jude to this song brings back memories. His hands roam down my waist and rest on my ass. I’m in a state of bliss, feeling completely content as I fuse my body with his, right where I want to be. I run my fingers along his arms.
The intricate details of the Celtic designs of his tattoos are incredible. I see the Claddagh. The two hands that represent friendship, the heart in between the hands represent love andthe crown for loyalty. I still remember when I left my ring on his dining room table. I trace my fingers over his art—it’s alluring.
The song ends, and Jude takes my hand. He sits back down and pulls me onto his lap again. We sit silently, wrapped in each other’s arms, gazing out at the horizon. I’m not sure what’s on his mind, but I’m contemplating how little control we have over so many aspects of our life. Who would have imagined that Jude and I would reunite here? This is what I had always dreamt of—him appearing unexpectedly, apologizing, and professing his undying love for me. It may be over a decade later, but I’ll accept it, all of it, all of him. My heart swells. Everything is happening so fast. It’s like we fit well together, and it feels natural to be with him, to be in his arms. All of this feels like a dream. Yet, I know this moment is very real.
With my eyes closed, I absorb everything around me. This scent of fresh rain is embedding itself in my memory. He used to always wear Drakkar cologne. Now, sensing this more natural fragrance on him is making my heart race, or maybe it’s the fact that I’m sitting on him. I can’t quite decide. Maybe it’s both. He wraps his arms around my waist, and his fingers gently glide over my hip and down my upper thigh.
I drape one arm around his neck while my other hand rests gently over his heart, feeling its steady rhythm beneath my palm. It’s just the two of us in sync with each other.
“This is perfect.”
Leaning his head into mine, he says, “Yes, it is, and you are perfect, too.”
Sitting on him this way brings up a summer memory. “Remember the dock at the lake house? When we sat at night watching the sunset and waiting for the stars to pop into the sky? Those nights got cold fast, so we’d snuggle up in layers and layers of blankets.”
“Hmm. Want to meet on the beach later and watch the sunset and look at the stars with me?” He squeezes me, and I can’t help but melt further into him. There’s no way in hell I’ll say no to him.
I’m pulled back in time. Those nights were intimate in a way I craved. He used to tell me all of his hopes and dreams while we sat under the stars together. It was a time when life fell away and it was just us…in nature, soaking up the night. He was a big dreamer, and I’m sure that hasn’t changed. I bet he’s still dreaming about the next big thing.
Jude, sunset, stars, beach…being near him again like this? Yes, please. But my friends may want to have dinner together. I can do both. I know my friends well enough to know that they’ll push me to spend time with him again.
I glide my fingertips up and down his chest. “I think that would be a great way to spend the evening.”
“Then I’ll come get you around six, unless you want to have dinner with me, too?” His voice sounds hopeful.
“The girls will want to have dinner together, but I’d love to still meet up at six.” I smile while thinking about being at the beach, watching the sunset with him, and then following it up by viewing the twinkling stars. My body flushes with the thought of being close to him tonight.
Although a part of me wants to have dinner with him, this is a girls’ trip. And frankly, I need to fill them in on what the hell happened today. They’ve been blowing up my phone and want to hear all about it.
The two of us stay wrapped up in each other, losing time to the sound of the waves as we watch them roll in. I don’t know how long we’ve been sitting together when a knock sounds at my door.
TWENTY-SEVEN
JUDE
Reluctant to move, I hold her even tighter. “Let them knock. You don’t have to answer.”
“I promise I’ll be back,” she says, rising and giving my shoulder a reassuring touch as a wake of cold air flows in as she leaves.
She sways toward the door in her fitted dress, and I can’t help but watch her ass. My gaze remains fixed on her.
When she opens the door, I see it’s her friends. I want them to leave so I can stay. I get up from the chair and head toward the door, hoping they’ll notice me and decide to leave. It might be a selfish thought, but I want all of her time.
Kendall spots me approaching, and her jaw drops. “I didn’t realize you had company,” she says. “We can come back later.”
“How about we meet up for an early dinner?” Faith suggests as she glances over her shoulder at me.
“Yes, let’s do that,” Kendall says, giving me a quick look. There’s something in her gaze that screams suspicion. I can tell she wants all of the details.
“And I have plans after dinner,” Faith adds, nodding in my direction. She’s made plans with me. I feel possessive of her time.
Kendall motions to their friends and turns to leave, saying, “Alright, see you later.” I’m fairly certain she just winked at Faith, which makes me think she might be on my side. I mean, she did give me all those bottles of water to take to Faith last night, so there’s no denying that Kendall is rooting for me.
The balcony beckons us back, and I take Faith’s hand, leading her to where we left off. We have a couple of hours, and I want to make the most of our time.
Time speeds by, and before I know it, we’re parting ways. This afternoon was exactly what I needed. We reminisced about high school and discussed our businesses. I feel closer to her than I have in a long time. After she gets ready, I offer to walk her to the restaurant to meet the girls. To my surprise, she reaches for my hand and agrees.
