Page 140 of Play With Me

“Oh, the food’s fine,” I say. “I’ve just suddenly lost my appetite.”

“Excited about tonight then?” he asks, relaxing. “I’m so glad you reached out.”

My stomach turns at the reminder that I was the one who instigated this thus-far disaster.

Richard is supposed to be taking me to some gala his parents are hosting tonight. When he’d suggested it over email, some small, sad part of me had hoped it would be like a fairy-tale ball, that I could wear a ball gown and meet a prince—because I knew only a prince could hold a candle to Jude.

I should have known better.

The gala, Richard informed me after I’d already agreed to go, wouldn’t be a black-tie affair but a “business casual gathering” with several of his dad’s cronies.

Now I’m trying to think of a way to tell him I’m definitely going back home before midnight, because if this is what Richard’s like, I can’t imagine anyone at the party being any better.

I stop rearranging my food in front of me and lay my fork and knife down on my plate. “Richard,” I begin, knowing I need to just nip this in the bud.

But across the room, that little boy with his parents, dressed up in an adorable sweater vest and trouser situation, catch my eye. His dad, I notice for the first time, is wearing a matching bow tie.

And all I can think of is Cap and Jude. That’s totally something Jude would do.

But I know I can enjoy my life without Jude. That day with Cap and Farrah, even with reminders of Jude right in my face, was wonderful. A thousand times better than tonight.

“Richard, I’m sorry, but I’m not going to be able to come to your party tonight.”

Richard laughs. “That’s a laugh. Keeping me on my toes, eh?”

“No, I’m serious,” I say.

Richard’s face falls. “Why not?”

My first thought is the one I didn’t think I was thinking but comes up bright and shiny to the forefront.Because I’m in love with Jude Kelly.

The thought is so real, Jude appears before me like an apparition, making my heart clench.

“There’s someone else,” I blurt out. I’d planned on making something up, but now I can’t stop staring at the man I thought was Jude who’s just burst into the restaurant from outside. What can I say, I’m inspired.

“Are you serious?” Richard’s hissing the words at me, leaning down and shading his face with his hand.

But I’m not looking at him. I squint, the words I was looking for drying up in my throat, because the man who just came in is crossing the restaurant, and if I’m not mistaken, he’s heading directly for us.

“Nora!” Jude shouts, so loud that the heads that weren’t already turned his way have now joined the rest.

“No,” I whisper. I’m so stunned I can’t say anything. He’s here. He came. For me.

Jude arrives at our table, leaning on it with his fingers, his eyes pinned on me. His expression is filled with an intensity I’ve seen before on him, the last time we spoke in my hotel room. Only it’s different. There’s no angst there. No confusion. They’re clear. He smiles at me and my heart flutters like a bird.

I almost laugh, it feels so free.

Jude looks over at my date, then back at me. “Is he important to you?”

“Excuse me!” Richard says, aghast. “Sir—”

“With respect, I wasn’t talking to you,” Jude says, sparing him a quick glance.

Jude’s wearing a suit. It’s black and trim and damp at the shoulders from the rain outside. His slicked-back hair, too, is glistening with beads of water. Rain even clings to his beautiful full eyelashes.

“No,” I say, my voice cracking. “No, he’s kind of dull.” I look across at Richard. “Sorry.”

Richard moves his mouth like a fish.

---