He smirked slightly.“Free milkshakes.”
I gave him a look.“You showed up right at closing, Jude.”
He shrugged.“Lost track of time helping with Eden’s party.I planned on coming earlier.”
I didn’t fully believe that, but I let it go.
“For what it’s worth,” he added, “At least I can follow you home.”
“You don’t need to.”My tire was fixed, and nothing bad was going to happen to me.
“I know.”
That was it.
No argument.
No push.
Just… a decision.
I grabbed my bag and headed out the back with him behind me.I locked the door and he looked around the lot like he was checking for something I couldn’t see.
“Wait for me.I’ll be behind you,” he said.
I nodded and bit back the urge to say I had been waiting for him for years.
He disappeared around the building, and I got into my car, rolling the window down just in time to hear his bike roar to life.
I backed out slowly, circling to the front.
He nodded once and I pulled onto the road.
And there he was, behind me again.
Something I had wanted for so long.
And now that I had it?
All I could think was, Why?
Jesse was a why, too.
But Jude?
Jude was the biggest one.
Ten minutes later, I pulled into my driveway, and he parked beside me.I barely had time to turn off the engine before he was off the bike, his hand out.“Keys.I’ll check the house.”
I handed them over without thinking.
He moved like he’d done this before, like it was second nature, disappearing inside while I followed slower and waited for him inside the front door.
He was back quick.“You’re all good.”
I laughed lightly.“I could’ve told you that.”
He stepped closer, too close.“Lock the door,” he said quietly.
