It’s a typical slow Monday night, so Lainey grabs a rag and follows me around the empty dining room asking questions as we scrub booths more thoroughly than we can when the dining room is full. “I don’t get it. Why would Nathan care that you sang with Sam if you aren’t dating either one of them? Every time I’ve seen Nathan, he acts like he hates you.”
“Kid, you just summarized our whole relationship. Don’t let it happen to you.” I shake my head with a humorless laugh. “Things were bad for a while, but seeing me happy the day after I ended it probably set him off.”
“Good for you. I figured you broke up since he was so mad.” She shakes her head as she degreases a tabletop, then stops, furrowing her brow. “How does DC feel about all this? It’s so obvious he loves you.”
Her words stop me in my tracks with my arms stretched over a table mid-scrub.
I try not to show my cards, but it’s a highly gratifying moment, and my face can’t decide whether to smile or cry.
Lainey just confirmed what plagued me all along. I felt like Nathan couldn’t stand me during most of our relationship, while Jude—DC to her—loved me. The whole time.
Actively. Openly.Consistently.
Gaining nothing in return.
Annie could’ve been biased when she said it, but Laineysawit.
So much of the last five months left me questioning my perception of reality, but maybe I’ll learn to live with being the villain in someone’s story.
My face contorts into a glassy-eyed smile of relief as my phone buzzes in my pocket.
“Oh, my goodness. You’re with DC now, aren’t you?” Lainey’s face splits into a smug grin. “I called it! Y’all are so perfect for each other! Girl, you sure checked a lot of boxes off that to-do list this weekend.”
I wipe away a rogue tear, even though I’m laughing, and reach for my phone. I was supposed to let Jude know when I got home, but I came straight to the diner.
Jude Daniel (Take a Sad Song and Make it Sexy) Crawford:Where’s my girl? Did you make it home?
Me:I came straight to work. How are classes?
Jude Daniel (Take a Sad Song and Make it Sexy) Crawford:Uninspiring, but necessary. Sam’s at my house and Jace should be home right after you if you need anything. When will Annie be back?
Me:She’s staying with her parents until Thursday.
Jude Daniel (Take a Sad Song and Make it Sexy) Crawford:Okay. If you don’t feel safe for any reason, Sam will come sleep on your couch. Or take my room and make him sleep on ours. Let me know when you leave work and call me when you get home.
Jude Daniel (Take a Sad Song and Make it Sexy) Crawford:Please.
Me:So bossy.
Jude Daniel (Take a Sad Song and Make it Sexy) Crawford:You love it.
Me:I do. ??????
Jude Daniel (Take a Sad Song and Make it Sexy) Crawford: Big loud kiss.
I jump out of my happy stupor when Lainey bumps into me, reading over my shoulder. “Girl, you’ve smiled at your phone more in the last five minutes than you have at anyone else in the last six months. What’s he’s saying?”
“Nothing, Lainey. Stop.” I laugh and hand over my phone since we haven’t said anything salacious and finish wiping down the booth.
“Hot dang, Lucy. Y’all are absolute fire!” Lainey fans her face, plastered with a huge grin of approval.
I take my phone back with a quizzical look. “What are you talking about?”
Oh. Hot dang is …accurate.
I pulled Jude in for a kiss while he was taking selfies last night. My hands on his cheeks and the intensity in his eyes leave no room for misinterpretation in the picture he just sent.
Lainey’s face shifts back to concern. “Nathan was angry, Lucy. I don’t know what he would’ve done if you’d been here. I told Dave I didn’t trust him because he was nice sometimes, then went nuts screaming at you that night and everyone acted like nothing happened.”
