“It’s good to see you, Lucy. Don’t be such a stranger.” She winks and hurries back to the kitchen.
Jude grins. “You have no friends in this town, but the manager knows your order?”
I shrug. “It’s my favorite place. Well, Tio’s and Ralph’s Donuts.”
“We’ll never fight about where to eat.”
“You like any place with food, so I doubt it.” I smile at him, fully content on love and queso.
“I hate to bring this up in your happy place, but Sam’s pretty sure the comments on the video were from Nathan. Annie blocked two accounts, and she’s watching for more. Have you had any messages on your accounts?”
“I haven’t looked,” I admit. “I turned my alerts off for exam week and haven’t turned them back on.”
“You need to check. I have to know if there are any threatening messages.” He’s all business again. Devastatingly competent.
I open my phone and check my direct messages while Jude pays. I didn’t think to block Nathan on social media, but it’s probably good that I didn’t so I can see any activity.
Regardless of how he treated me, I moved on at lightning speed. My heart shifted from what I thought was love to survival weeks ago. There’s no way I’ll come out of this appearing anything but deceitful and callous.
Nathan posted a few cryptic updates like “I’ll watch my back from now on” andhe learned his lessonabout trusting the wrong people but didn’t mention my name.
My stomach twists when I pull up the direct messages from Nathan. I knew there had to be rants and accusations somewhere since I blocked his number. There are other messages from friends who saw the video and one from Jackson, who politely asks for clarification since Nathan threw his name in the mix too.
This isn’t how I want to spend the rest of my only date with Jude.
“Let me see, Lu,” he says, holding out his hand for my phone once we’re back in his SUV.
“Bossy,” I mutter as I hand over my phone.
“You can say no. I just want to be sure you’re safe while I’m gone.”
“I know. Go ahead.” I lean my head against his shoulder in the darkened car while he scrolls through my messages.
“Ooh, the author of your rock star book has one coming out about a doctor. Make sure you preorder it,” he teases.
“Give me that!” I lunge for my phone. He laughs, leaning over to kiss my head.
“What? I liked it. Maybe I want this one too.”
I roll my eyes with a grin in the dark. “Are you even looking at the messages?”
“Yeah. Trying to make us both laugh so I won’t use all your least favorite words.”
I squeeze his arm, grateful to have him even though I know this is bound to get ugly. “Jude, should I answer him? I’m sotired of defending myself. Nothing I say ever changes anything, except Ididdo something wrong this time.”
“No, Lu. You didn’t. You weren’t married, andherejectedyou. Constantly. There was no ring—just a guy who claimed to have the same goals and never proved it. He got away with being a selfish prick whileyouworried about not being supportive enough forhim.” He holds on to me as much as he can over the console in the parked car. “You knew he wasn’t good for you. I just gave you a safe place to land. And I always will.”
“I was so naive.”
“You weren’t,” he insists. “You saw potential, and it’s my fault you didn’t see it with me.”
“I should’ve broken it off sooner. I was…” I pause, rethinking my words. I don’t want him to worry about me.
“Scared,” he says gently. “I saw it. I didn’t want to make it worse, but I made myself clear. I need to know what happened the night you stayed in my room. I won’t blow up or blame you. I promise.”
I knew I’d eventually have to relive the humiliation. It’ll be therapeutic to get it out, but I never wanted to burden Jude with this knowledge. I explain briefly, watching his face redden. “The screaming and swearing shocked me. I thought we were done. But then he acted normal the next time I saw him, and I was afraid to bring it up,” I admit. “I thought maybe he just had a bad day and it wouldn’t happen again if I watched my mouth. That’s how I’ve handled it my whole life.”
“Handledwhat?” Jude asks with heightened concern but never raising his voice.
