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Ugh. Jude could be so irritating sometimes.
I got in my car, tossing my purse and backpack onto the passenger’s seat. I followed his truck out into the traffic and through the town. He parked on the street and I was lucky to grab a spot not too far away from his.
He jogged over to where I was, blowing air into his hands. “Fuck, it’s cold,” he groaned.
“It’s not that bad,” I shrugged. “There isn’t even any snow.”
He rolled his eyes, jumping in place. “It’s cold,” he stated. “You’re crazy and feel nothing.”
I chose to ignore his statement. “Lead the way. I don’t know where we’re going.”
Jude shoved his hands in the pockets of his jeans and looked both ways before jogging across the street. I did the same, letting my long legs carry me to the sidewalk. He led me up a set of steps and in through the back of the restaurant. We passed a formal dining room and bathrooms, before it opened up into a large bar. I saw a door leading to a deck and outdoor patio, but of course it wasn’t open in the winter months.
Jude picked a booth in the back corner. I took the seat across from him, looking around.
“You’ve never been here?” He asked.
“No,” I shrugged, running my finger along the shiny lacquered tabletop. “I don’t have extra money to go out to eat at nice places like this.”
“Row…”
I looked up and flinched when I saw the pity in his gaze. I should’ve kept my mouth shut. I wasn’t ashamed that I was poor. Lots of people were. But I hated when people looked at me like I was missing out on stuff because of my lack of money. I already knew I was and I didn’t need to see the reminder in their eyes.
“Just the two of you?” A waitress appeared beside our table, glaring at Jude. Geez, I couldn’t go anywhere with guy. Had he slept with everyone?
“Yeah, just the two of us,” Jude replied, leaning back in the booth with an easy grin.
She dropped the menus on the table and the plastic made a smacking sound as it hit the table. “What can I get you to drink then?”
“Water,” I answered.
“Same,” Jude replied, smiling at the waitress.
She rolled her eyes and turned sharply on her heel.
“She’s so going to spit in my drink,” I grumbled.
Jude chuckled, pulling off his beanie and running his fingers through his hair. “Nah, she won’t bother you. It’s me that’ll be drinking her spit.”
“Ew,” I wrinkled my nose. “Anyway,” I picked up the menu, “what’s good here?”
“Everything,” he replied.
“That’s real helpful, Jude.”
“Hey, it’s the truth,” he chuckled, scratching his stubbled jaw.
Since I was starving and running out of time before I had to get to work, I ordered a turkey club sandwich. Jude ordered the same and cheese fries for an appetizer.
“Uh…Rowan?” He leaned forward with both his hands on the table, looking at something over my shoulder.
“Yes?” I responded, inspecting my water for any foreign substances.
“Do you have a boyfriend?”
“God no, Jude! You know that! And no, I’m not going to date you!”
“Hey,” he raised his hands in defense, “I know you’re not interested in me, that’s why we’re friends. But that dude over there is glaring at me like he wants to rip my balls from my body.”
