Page 24 of Unconventionally, Elle
"I texted you!" I snapped.
His body tensed and his eyes narrowed. "No, you didn't."
I cut him off before he could say another word. "We have to go." I looked at Anna, who seemed entirely confused and still hadn't answered my question about how she knew Jude. I was holding it together, but to say I didn't text him, no. No, absolutely not. I can't do this right now.
"Elle, wait!" he shouted over the crowd and tried to weave through to get to us.
I grasped Anna's hand and navigated us to the women's restroom. Before we went through the door, I looked back and didn't see Jude. Once we were inside the restroom and in the fancy seating area by an antique couch, Anna whipped around and stared at me. Her lips were a thin line, and I could tell by the way her eyebrows almost hit her hairline that she wanted the story.
"Okay, okay, just one more second, okay?" I took another sip of my champagne. "I need to get my thoughts together."
"Oh, do you now? Elle, cut the shit. What the heck was that?" She crossed her arms over her chest and cocked her hip to the side.
I took a deep breath, and within that one inhale, that one exhale, my memories flashed back to that summer in Nashville. Jude's smile. Jude's hand holding mine. Jude's body warm against my back. His kisses. His hugs. His breath tickling my ear as he leaned in to say,I love you, at the airport.
"So, yeah, we kind of know each other."
"Obviously." She rolled her eyes.
"We, um, we were kind of together one summer. The summer before last."
"You used to date Jude!" Forget her eyebrows, her eyes were wide as saucers. "What happened? As far as I know, Jude has never had a serious girlfriend. He doesn't date."
"Well, wait, how do you know Jude?" I turned the conversation around to take the attention off me and because Iwas dying to know how she knew him. "You never answered me in the bar."
She shook her head, obviously knowing I was changing the subject. "We grew up together. He was friends with my older brother and went to Newman with us. Then after graduation, he and my brother went to law school together."
I nodded slowly and imagined a young Jude in high school.
"I'm telling you," Anna continued, "in high school, I never saw that boy date. He was a closed book."
"It was a summer fling, that's all. We met at a friend's party in Nashville." I shrugged nonchalantly.
"You're not getting off the hook that easily, Elle Watson." She placed her hands on her hips and gave me a sassy glare. "Did you notice the way he stared at you back there? It was like you were the center of his world. I couldn't believe it."
"Oh my God, shut up." I laughed into my flute, feeling embarrassed. My cheeks were burning, and my heart was thudding against my ribs.
"Well, maybe you'll see him around," she said casually. "New Orleans is the smallest big city you'll ever visit."
20
Now
The Cirque du Soleil performance with Finn was exhilarating. He was with me while I interviewed performers, the show director, and most importantly, the costume designer. I felt confident my piece was going to blow Olivia away and was honestly shocked by how much circus fashion affects the fashion industry in general.
Finn and I stayed out after the performance and went to the Ritz for cocktails.
"Espresso martini." Finn glanced at me and noticed my cheeky stare. "Actually, make that two." The bartender smiled and walked away to make our drinks.
"They're good here?" I asked as we took two seats at the bar.
"Oh, the Ritz has the best in town. I hate to say that with so many killer local spots, but there's just something about the bartenders here." He winked.
"Oh yes, his butt, right?" I chided. "I mean, it is rather perfect." I smiled and chuckled behind my glass.
"Elle, I'm an ass man till the day I die, but while he does have a perfect ass, Jackson's is even better." He tipped his head and smirked.
We were both laughing when the bartender came back with our drinks. I tried to give him my credit card, but Finn dramatically took it from my hand and threw it on the floor.
