“Jude,” I said, a little more firmly.“You helped me yesterday and today.Just take it.”
“Not taking your money, Ever.”
“I need to pay you.”I paused.“Ice cream,” I said suddenly.
He looked at me.
“If you won’t take my money, then come get ice cream.”I hesitated.“Like… fifty free extra-thick chocolate milkshakes whenever you want them.”
He blinked.“Fifty shakes?”
I nodded.“Yes.”
He chuckled.“You drive a hard deal, Ever.”
“You’re not giving me a free tire and…” I waved at the car.“Whatever you just did.”
He grinned slightly.“Fine.Your tire in exchange for milkshakes.”
That made me feel better, even if it was ridiculous.
“Anytime I want?”he asked.
I nodded.“Anytime you want, Jude.”
Something shifted in the air.
“Uh,” I said quickly, stepping back, “I better get to work.Thank you again.For yesterday and today.”
He nodded.“Anything for you, Ever.”
God.
Those words from anyone else would’ve been nothing.Just words.
But from him?It felt like a promise, and that was dangerous.
I needed to leave.
Now.
I turned and got into my car, gripping the steering wheel as I started it.
He stepped back, guiding me out with a small motion of his hand.“Drive safe,” he said.
Simple, but the way he said it made my cheeks warm again.
I nodded quickly and pulled out, headed toward the Dairy Bar.
As I drove, I couldn’t help but think about him and the way he looked at me.The way he talked to me and the way everything felt different now.
I shook my head.“No,” I said out loud.
I was reading into it, that was all.
Jude had never noticed me before, and that wasn’t suddenly going to change.
He was just being nice and helping me.
