Jude wasn’t sure how many women would actually consider the plan a perfect first date, but all that mattered was that Angela did.
It didn’t take long to switch seats, then Jude put the car in gear and guided it back onto the road in the direction of town.
Because he still had to keep Angela’s identity on the down-low in Serenity, he had to go to the place that had a drive-thru lane. Once there, Angela chose a mocha latte, while he settled on a large black coffee for himself.
“Do you want something to eat?” he asked. “I’m pretty sure they serve pastries of some kind here.”
“I’m actually fine with just the drink.”
“I think I’d prefer to eat the pastries you make anyway,” Jude told her. “I think you’ve spoiled me for everyone else’s baking.”
Angela’s laugh was soft. “Well, let me know if there’s something specific you’d like. I’m always up for suggestions.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
After paying and getting their drinks, Jude drove them out of town, choosing a road that would eventually loop back to the estate, but would be a nice long drive to get there.
He wasn’t quite ready to end his impromptu date with Angela because he knew it might be hard to have all the time he wanted with her just yet.
But they’d get there. He felt confident of that.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Angela cupped her hands around the disposable cup and lifted it to take a sip of her mocha latte. As the delicious combination of chocolate and coffee slid down her throat, she hummed in appreciation and contentment.
She couldn’t believe that Jude had actually acted on the feelings he had for her. Though she’d sensed he might have felt drawn to her, she hadn’t been convinced that he’d jeopardize his career for her.
But he had.
And now she was sitting there with him, drinking coffee together, on what he'd called their first date.
The silence between them felt comfortable, like they'd known each other for years instead of weeks. Through the windshield, she watched as the snow-laden pines created a tunnel of green and white along the winding road. The heater hummed quietly, keeping the winter chill at bay.
"What are you thinking about?" Jude asked, his deep voice breaking the silence.
Angela turned to look at him, observing his profile as he drove. The firm line of his jaw, the way his dark hair curled slightly at the nape of his neck, the steady confidence in his hands on the steering wheel.
Her heart did a little flip in her chest.
"I'm thinking that this feels… nice." She hesitated, searching for the right words. "Unexpected, but wonderful."
Jude glanced at her, the corner of his mouth lifting in that small smile that seemed reserved just for her. "Unexpected is one way to put it."
"Did you ever think when you first met me in Briar Hollow that we'd end up here?"
He shook his head, his eyes returning to the road. "Not even close. I was focused on getting you and Kiara safely to the estate. That was all that mattered then."
"And now?" The question slipped out before she could stop it.
Jude was quiet for a moment, and Angela wondered if it was too soon to delve deeply like that.
“Now, all I can think about is how much I enjoy being around you, and it has nothing to do with keeping you safe.” He gave a huff of laughter. “Well, not nothing, because I do still want you to be safe.”
Angela took another sip of her drink. “And I want to be safe. I also want you to be safe.”
They continued to chat as Jude guided the car around curves, pointing out different things they drove by. Interspersed with that they shared personal experiences and opinions. It was the perfect way to learn a bit more about each other.
She’d learned that he did, in fact, have a best friend. For some reason, she’d assumed his focused life had precluded friendships. Especially close ones.
