“You’re alright too,” I gave him a small smile and took a sip of my champagne.
“Can I ask you something?”
“Sure,” I said, deciding it would do no harm to answer a question.
Your daughter and husband, I haven’t seen them around the hospital, so I was just wondering what happened?”
I smiled. "You mean you're inquisitive, Jude Finn."
He smirked.
“Long story short, I lost custody of Becca to my ex-husband,” I said calmly. I felt that same familiar tug in my chest, but I guess after a while, it had become easier to say it without falling apart. “It happened just before my accident.”
His eyes never left mine. “I am sorry, Tara.”
For a man who usually has a lot to say, he fell silent, deep in thought. “How is it even possible for a mother to lose custody of her child in this day and age with the laws protecting woman being so strict?”
"Reid's family is wealthy, like mine and your family wealthy. His father has some prominent connections. He had me declared unfit, and the courts granted him full custody. "
"There has to be a way," he said, frowning.
"I hope there is, and when I am well enough, I will use it. I guess I didn't have enough energy back then. Reid broke me. He took her away from me, and I just didn't have enough fight left in me. And then, well, this happened." I motioned to my chair.
He nodded, "I get that, not in the same way, but I know a bit about fighting a losing battle."
“Bad relationship?” I asked
“I suppose you could call it that. Found her in bed with another man who happened to be my father.” he took a sip of his champagne.
I spat my champagne. “Are you serious?” I could imagine how utterly betrayed he felt.
He nodded. “I know, kind of insane, huh? The funny thing is I never saw it coming.”
He laughed and shook his head. “We met not long after I came to see you in New Orleans.” It was the first time he’d mentioned our past. “I was suffering a broken heart and she was there to mend it.” He said light-heartedly.
I rolled my eyes at him.
“Aurelia and I had planned to conquer the world together. I don’t know when I became not enough for her.” The words dripped from him sadly.
"A toast then," I said, raising my glass. He scooted closer to me and clinked his glass with mine.
“To not being enough,” he laughed, and I joined in.
“Or to being too much,” I added, and the moment his gaze met mine, I swore that my heart was beating a million miles a minute.
* * *
I gotup with a headache and the sound of pots and pans clanging. That would teach me to drink that much champagne. Jude and I called it a night after our third bottle. I'd been reluctant to drink because the last time hadn’t resulted in the most pleasant memory, but I admit that I had a great time.
I was now able to sit up and move into my chair, and I did so effortlessly. I smiled at my disheveled hair as I made my way into the bathroom to brush my teeth. I had an appointment with Dr. Blake this morning. Jude said he would drive me there. I went to the mirror again, making sure I didn't look a state. I opened the bedroom door to the smell of bacon and eggs. Tilly knew me too well.
I felt lighter today. I guess it did help to let stuff out sometimes. Tilly was already setting the dining room table when I entered, my spot at the table set. I looked around, and I felt a pang of disappointment that Jude wasn't around.
“He headed home to shower,he’ll be back in a bit,” she smiled at me knowingly.
I flushed. I can’t believe it was that obvious.
“Oh, okay Thanks, Tilly,” I tried to sound indifferent.
